When I saw this last week, I wondered if some of our public and private spaces, especially those waiting for development, could be used similarly as attractions. Waterfalls: Making Public Art A look at artist Olafur Eliasson's planned waterfalls in Manhattan, Brooklyn and on Governors Island. Also: David Byrne's "Playing the Building" at the Battery Maritime Building; Chris Burden's sculpture "What My Dad Gave Me" and Jeff Koons' "Puppy," both at Rockefeller Center. Repeats tomorrow on WNET (Channel 13) - 1:30 PM 07/06/2008 and 2:00 AM 07/12/2008 (Eastern). http://tinyurl.com/6qfppy <http://tinyurl.com/6qfppy> http://www.thirteen.org/sundayarts/the-waterfalls-making-public-art/92 <http://www.thirteen.org/sundayarts/the-waterfalls-making-public-art/92> Although the program features the Waterfalls, other examples are included; but it was the interviews with the NY people who make public art happen that intrigued me. The installations are mostly offbeat and interactive. It would be great to see some of our eyesores transformed by local artists. Not one or two week temporary works, but semi-permanent ones, at least until those lots become revenue producers again. I haven't seen the Waterfalls yet, but I did see get to see Christo's Gates in Central Park. They changed many tourists' negative perceptions of that park. Worth considering here -- scaled to something appropriate for Asbury Park.
