New York is changing: 6 new cultural sites to see in the city in October

Autumn has brought chilly weather - perfect for getting outside and enjoying the Big Apple's new public art installations. The works presented this month highlight the artist's desire for social change. We offer a list of the best installations that can be seen in October 2022, which are recommended by Untapped.

1. Peace Field in the park Stuyvesant Square

Inside Stuyvesant Square Park is the Pole of Peace. This is a vertical white pillar, on which the inscription “Let peace reign on Earth” is engraved on all sides in different languages. Artist Todd Drake created the Peace Pole during lockdown at the Penington Friends House, a home that has been run by Quakers since 1987. He decided to install it as an act of hope, allowing the world to triumph. Drake's sculpture is based on the idea of ​​peace obelisks that originated in Japan in the 1970s. Since then, more than 250 variations of these obelisks have been created in different countries.

Peace Pole strives to bring positive energy into the lives of its viewers. “Peace on Earth will start with one action,” Drake said as he unveiled his installation on Instagram. The Peace Pole is jointly presented by the Penington Friends House and the Stuyvesant Park Neighbors Association. It can be viewed until March 2, 2023.

2. Middle Ghost in MoMA PS1 Public Plaza

Until April 17, 2023, Jumana Manna's sculpture "Medium Ghost" will be on display at MoMA PS1 public plaza. Middle Ghost is part of Jumana Manna's larger exhibition Break, Take, Erase, Tally. This is the artist's first major exhibition in the United States and is featured at MoMA PS1. Manna's sculpture is shaped like a habya, a vase-like vessel for storing grain in rural homes in the Middle East.

While the habiahs and bunkers of Lebanon gradually disappeared after the rise of colonial capital and modernity, Manna's depiction in Middle Ghost presents these ruined structures in a whimsical manner. Traditional in nature, Manna's interpretation of the habya is playful, but remains true to what has survived to the present day.

3. Such at Hunter's Point South Park

Hunters Point South Park is home to Tales, an art installation created by Chikuska and Teatrino Giullare. This installation is a tribute to people who tell stories. On top of the sculpted bird's nest rest masks representing thousands of characters who entertain others every day.

Tales is dedicated to the memory of the Italian poet and playwright Giuliano Scabia. He once said that “Masks sometimes appear with love. But once they are recognized, they hide in the shadows from which they came. They warm the nests of dreams.” Visitors to Hunters Point can view the installation until December 8, 2022.

4. 2022 Socrates Annual Sink or Swim: Climate Future

Until March 12, 2023, the Socrates Sculpture Park hosts the annual exhibition “Sink or Swim: The Climate Future”. The installation includes five designs by Cheyenne Concepción, Sean Desiree, Coyolcintli, Randy Renate and Daniel Scheel. All of them are centered around the fight against climate change. As ocean levels rise, leaving coastal cities submerged, the exhibit suggests diving may be better than swimming. While the “sink or swim” metaphor promotes individualism, defeating climate change requires collective action. One installation generates heat through a combination of sustainable building methods and recycled materials. The other is inspired by the anatomy and symbiotic existence of coral polyps.

“Together, these artists offer social adaptation, exploration of the natural world, and rethinking of new and old technologies as necessary steps for living in our future global climate,” explained Jess Wilcox, curator and director of exhibitions at the Socrates Sculpture Park.

5. Neufs for Hawaii in the park Murray

In partnership with Five-Star Basketball, the non-profit project Blackboard presents Edgar Heap of Birds' Neufs for Hawaii, the largest ever public art installation. As an artist, educator, and advocate for Native American communities, Heap of Birds focuses on drawing attention to history, controversy, and recognition of Native American lands. At the same time, living in the circle of the tribe, he demonstrates personal freedom of expression in his works.

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Neufs for Hawaii are two recently refurbished basketball courts with artwork along the playing fields. These paintings were enlarged from the Neuf Heap of Birds series created in Oahu. The name comes from a Cheyenne word meaning "four". In this series, Heap of Birds celebrates the Cheyenne Nation by using different colors set in unconventional and non-linear landscapes along with swimming fish and bodies moving across the canvas. Neufs for Hawaii aims to highlight the importance of basketball in Native American culture. And to demonstrate that the local hoopers are playing all over the country. Soon, a temporary installation from the series will appear on the back panels of the court. Native hosts. It will be available for viewing until August 22, 2023.

6. Midnight moment on Times Square

Throughout October, Times Square Arts presents the next installment of its Midnight Moment series, titled American Girl. Artist Kylo Kish used her personal collection of vintage travel postcards to create American Girl. They feature animated photos set against the backdrop of classic American tourist stops. American Girl fuses pop culture and fantasy in a three-minute video showing conventional wisdom about the American dream. The video centers on Kish herself and a series of touching selfies adorned with costumes and props ranging from ice cream cones to feather fans.

The video will be shown every night from 23:57 to 24:00 until October 31st. And on October 14 from 23:00 to 24:00 will be accompanied by a live performance from Kilo Kish, Ray Brady, Morgan Amirah Burns and Urban World NYC. The evening will begin with a performance by the girls from Urban World NYC. This will be followed by a three-part play written by Kish and music composer Ray Brady. A dance performance by Morgan Amira Burns is also planned.