YI Summer: the High Line and New Building
Jul 30, 2014
The building viewed from its north side, May 2014. Photograph by Timothy Schenck
On July 30, YI teens visited the Meatpacking District.First we were treated to a brief history and tour by Emily Pinkowitz, Deputy Director of Programs & Education at Friends of the High Line. She told us about its history as an above-ground freight railroad, and the recent effort to preserve it and turn it into a public park. After our tour, we ventured off as a group to explore the High Line. It happened to be Honey Day, dedicated to educating children about honey production, so along with all the tourists the long narrow park was crowded. We headed south to the exit right at the Whitney’s new building site on Washington and Gansevoort streets, and we admired the architecture as well as the artwork that seemed to blend in all around us.
At the building site we met Erin Levering who works for Turner Construction, the company that is constructing the new Whitney. Levering told us that the building will have the largest column-free gallery space in New York, with plenty of outside space for sculptures and events. Later she let us ask questions about her job and about the building process. We learned that during Hurricane Sandy the whole foundation flooded and the building team had to figure out a new strategy to stop future floods. I can’t wait for the building to be finished, because it looks very nice on the outside, and I’m excited to see what it will look like on the inside!
By Sam and Bertin, YI Summer Participants