Public Art Trip: New York City | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios

Pre-order our book YOU ARE AN ARTIST (which includes new assignments!) here: bit.ly/2kplj2h New York City offers way too many art-viewing opportunities for us to cover in a single art trip video, so this time we decided to focus on the abundant public art around the city.
Featuring:
Madison Square Park
- Teresita Fernandez: www.madisonsquarepark.org/vie...
- Orly Genger: www.madisonsquarepark.org/vie...
- Jaume Plensa: www.madisonsquarepark.org/mad...
- Martin Puryear: www.madisonsquarepark.org/vie...
City Hall Park
- Claudia Comte & Chris Watson: www.publicartfund.org/view/ex...
The High Line
- Nari Ward: art.thehighline.org/project/na...
- Barbara Kruger: art.thehighline.org/project/ba...
- Kathryn Andrews: art.thehighline.org/project/ka...
- Tony Matelli: art.thehighline.org/project/wa...
Grand Army Plaza
- David Shrigley: www.publicartfund.org/view/ex...
Socrates Sculpture Park
- Meg Webster: socratessculpturepark.org/arti...
Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Mary Mattingly: www.swaleny.org/
- Pier 6: www.brooklynbridgepark.org/par...
- Martin Creed: www.publicartfund.org/view/ex...
Public Art Fund: www.publicartfund.org/
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[@BombColour]

Recently, I met Martin Creed during a talk he gave at my university. We were able to ask him questions about his art work and hear some his performance pieces. The way he described his 'understanding' piece is quite different from your opinion. Creed is a quiet person, who often ponders why he should understand things and how we communicate as people. He's always felt like he struggled with talking to people (which made sense as he wasn't that well spoken during this talk). In fact the reason he creates art and music is so that people talk to him, to break him from his boundries, and makes him communicate with others. Originally this piece should was going to say 'Love, Peace, Understanding' in the bold red lettering. However, he had to reconsider this as he unfortunately didn't have enough funding to cover having three large words in neon. He then had to consider what word and why out of the three he'll select. He got rid of 'love' and 'peace' as society today with all the war and hatred that's happening, he didn't feel like it really communicated what he felt about the world. He doesn't feel like the world will ever be filled with love or peace, which just left him with understanding. While this world isn't exactly filled with love or piece, he feels like we may get to the point where we understand each other. That even though people may disagree with each other, people often could try understanding the other persons view. Much like this comment is doing now, I guess? I'm not trying to attack your opinion on the piece, I was just informing you on his thought process for this piece. Hope you found it interesting!

[@HarperGamble]

I like the ideas Sarah had to offer as an expansion of what Creed had to say about the piece. Consider that understanding is something that is difficult to grasp, always in motion, always seemingly just out of reach. Then consider that love and peace are also things that have those qualities. Now, in order to attain love, we need peace, and in order to obtain peace, we need understanding. Maybe that's why Creed did not have the materials and did not think the world had peace or love; right now we are at a point where we are still trying to grasp our understanding of the world and our place in it. I hope that we can get to a point where we do have peace or love and at that point, we will find that 'Understanding' has stopped spinning around us and is then joined by the words that were intended to be with it. :)

[@theartassignment]

Thanks so much for sharing this here. I had only read the little snippet published alongside the piece, and it's great to hear more about what he has said of the piece. And actually, I don't see his thoughts as being in conflict with mine. An aspect of the piece I didn't touch on, but that is certainly present, is that the word is, in it's way, an advertisement for the idea of "understanding." That it is something he, and most of us thinking folks, strive for, slippery though it is.

[@AkilahObviously]

I love this. Agh, why don't I ever go outside?!

[@theartassignment]

It's so much easier to go outside when it's not your hometown.

[@enchantedtonight]

Damn, the yeti is so cool

[@SciJoy]

This video for some reason really made me wish there was a physical place to see other people's Art Assignment submissions. I feel like standing there and seeing them would be so much different than scrolling through them. What about at VidCon? Maybe a few could be printed out and people's descriptions/stories printed out below. And maybe you could have a phone there that people could pick up and listen to clips from the "one who got away" assignment. I love seeing people actually create things while they are there, but it would also be nice to see what the community has made. The PBS booth is a haven in the crazy of VidCon. There aren't really screaming fans. There are people making art, testing our science, sitting at tables and making new friends. Then I just picture someone in the corner with an old rotary phone to their ear listening to a stranger's story of heartbreak. The Chill Lounge just reminds me of all the reasons KZbin can be special.

[@leslierae6416]

One of my favorite memories is exploring a sculpture park by myself, the park was organized and ran by the art department at a small university in Northwestern Washington(near Port Angeles) it was spread out through a large lush green forest and It was beautiful, free, and the most amazing way to spend a few quiet hours in serene reflection. Sculpture parks are dope as hell.

[@MuchObligedTV]

I love to see New York and all of the art as a public playground for creativity. This video feels so free and open which the city cant always be.

[@dionnedlc2]

The episodes are so poetic, and convey the artworks so eloquently ! Thank you Art Assignment for beautiful and educational art content.

[@Xenolilly]

Those sculptures wow! the video isn't close to being over and i'm already amazed enough to comment.

[@EvCal184]

The Case for Artists who Grow Things?

[@maz.s]

+

[@scabiniful]

I love the art trips. they're like thoughts from places.

[@cminmd0041]

I adore the High Line! What an incredible re-purposing and revitalization of a huge chunk of the city.

[@SelahPictures]

"Understanding" is one of my favorite things in NYC, and it really rewards repeated visits at different times of day and with different crowds. To me, it seems almost assertively ambiguous - a word with many possible interpretations, presented in a way which offers you no typographic or stylistic guidance as to how it wants to be interpreted, and always moving - even the speed of the rotation changes. I'm sad that it's temporary, and soon to reach the end of it's run, but maybe that's appropriate as well. Understanding is never permanent, it's somehow always slipping away when your back is turned.

[@BlakeNordstrom366]

This may very well be my favorite video made by The Art Assignment. Keep it up you all!

[@kamaxox123]

I love these art trip videos, they make me want to go on my own art trip!

[@drewliedtke2377]

The formal assignments are cool and I've done a few of them, but these analysis videos are my favorite. Keep it up!

[@theartassignment]

Thanks!

[@pablomarquezimages920]

Its about feeling it !!!

[@KatOfDiamonds]

I loved walking the tiny stretch of the High Line I was able to see at the start of this year during my first trip to NYC.

[@allisondoak9425]

I love the meeting space between art and the urban environment. I’m really excited about tactical urbanism as a meeting place between urban planning/public policy, art and democracy right now

[@mar1na1993]

PLEASE do a video on social practice art. I took a class on it and have been to several exhibitions, but still need more convincing

[@polinamar]

Thank you for sharing this view of New York? it was very interesting for me. I loved room for bees and swale in particular.

[@polkadottedpolak]

This video is remarkably pleasant.

[@puupipo]

Standing under "UNDERSTANDING" must be a cool experience.

[@theartassignment]

It is! That platform that is underneath is actually a gathering spot, and it is a super cool experience to be directly under it.

[@TaliaOutwrong]

This is so perfect, we're going to NYC (from australia) in just over a month and we'll definitely see some of these, thank you for this!!

[@sky_6115]

Concise and perceptive intro of the arts in NY! Looking forward to more art-viewing of cities in America!

[@Bostwiki]

Great video, My parents and I just saw some these displays the other week too! I like all the work you and your husband do!

[@hanindersharma630]

great work you are doing showing us everything in one time

[@naomil2288]

This brought back a very distinct memory from a few years ago of reading Looking for Alaska for the first time at Socrates Sculpture Park. Weird.

[@caroldias5219]

those places are beautiful!

[@noahb5092]

I love this show.

[@ndemers]

Lovely! Really makes me want to visit NYC

[@AM-rb4ps]

Thanks for posting another wonderful and thoughtful Art Trip video!

[@AmbroseReed]

For once I've seen a handful of these! Great video.

[@fatcat1399]

Going to nyc next weekend and I’m determined to hunt down some public art in between Phish concerts!!💜💜💜

[@spoopyiz]

omg that was so amazing, i love this show so muchhhh

[@pastcineo]

i love this episode

[@merlinknowsnothing]

This is a great video, Sarah! I hope you'll go back to NYC at some point... out of all the artistic places I wish I could know more about, it's probably both the one I'm most interested in, and the least accessible.

[@sylviatran3321]

Love this so much

[@ShahanoorMamun]

Wow 😮 Great program 😍

[@johnpuga1982]

I'm gonna go check out Socrates Sculpture Park tomorrow. Thanks for the info!

[@aprilvanderveer449]

Gah! I was just in NYC last week! Look at all the cool art I missed. Must return ASAP. Thanks as always for the wonderful videos.

[@AnnRey18]

They look so cute together x3

[@Erffyer]

Great film! Loved ur explanation too. Not dowdy like some art class. Totally gonna get the sunnies and hit da parks 😎

[@jennifercampbell2512]

I loved this video!

[@TheTRIZZZLE14]

Y'all should come down to Montreal during Muralfest in the summer. Great video, you never disappoint!!

[@maggieedna]

aw man, I really wanna climb that bling statue.

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

I am going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art soon- I will try to walk around & see a few of these :)

[@KannikCat]

"Insert and remove Ninja Turtles joke." You're reading all of our minds, aren't you? ;) :D Love love love your description/interpretation of Understanding! Really wonderful exploration of what it could be. And this makes me all the more want to go visit the High Line. I've been so excited about it ever since they started adaptively re-using it -- urban parks (like Parc Andre Citroen) are so vital and essential to the heart of a city.

[@librarian_laur]

Of course, I see this and TODAY it's 45 degrees and cloudy, so not really a good outdoor art day.

[@daniel1tkd0]

lovely video as always :)

[@IamAliShamim]

yesss!!!

[@user-li7se1fp1t]

Great video! 😊👍

[@ColinLievens]

I wish I could see Martin creed's understanding!! He's my favourite artist but I'm stuck here in England missing out on all of his New York exhibitions and installations and I couldn't even get to Scotland for the talks he did there!! I had to drive three hours to see a one of his exhibitions and it was glorious

[@theartassignment]

Stay tuned for Art Trip: London, coming your way in a couple weeks :)

[@PresleyMartin1]

Now you need to make the "Artists that Grow Things" episode.

[@polinamar]

Agreed)

[@theartassignment]

Oh gosh, do I really? I'll start mulling.

[@danielmcelroy4505]

Definitely!

[@AnimeOtaku2]

Late to the party I know but I think given the comments about it I think it should be a “In defence of” episode.

[@BrianLinares]

This is my personal obsession. I have started a public art tour in my city. Please come out to Honolulu Sara !! I would be honored to have you join one of my tours!

[@spacepunk5799]

This makes me wanna move to New York

[@morgansamuelnz]

My wife and I love this series. Awesome content, super interesting. Some constructive criticism regarding pacing; the videos would be a lot easier for the audience to digest if there were some pauses in the VO. It's a constant barrage of (useful) information - if you allow the listener a moment to absorb chunks of this info before moving onto the next point, they can reflect on each 'chapter' with the footage in front of them, thus the impact would overall be higher.

[@isabellabornberg2153]

amazing

[@zentouro]

gee i've gotta get out to Queens more.

[@theartassignment]

You do, Miriam, you do ;).

[@luizajimenez17]

great essay Sarah!!

[@120f_]

thanks! my broke ass self is going to NYC to visit family and i wanted to see as much art as I can this is a great way to do that on a budget :)

[@generaldingus344]

Come to Philly please, lots of great artist here. ☮️

[@marcoloya]

this is awesome, you should meet with some of the creators

[@bugonstott5161]

Wow

[@karimmendas8980]

Cool 🎈

[@_turtle__]

영어 온라인클래스때문에 3년전 영상을 보고있는 내 인생이 레전드

[@landryharmon1891]

Love these videos. Don't know where else to ask this, but do you or anyone have any good book recommendations on art or art history?

[@Tigermond1]

Landry Harmon They made a video about how to learn more about art and recommended some books in it.

[@landryharmon1891]

Tigermond1 oh thanks! Do you know what video?

[@Tigermond1]

Landry Harmon Sure, it's called "How To Learn About Contemporary Art". I was wrong though - I just watched it again and Sarah actually only gives one specific book recommendation in the video ("Air Guitar"), but also talks about many other ways to learn about art and where to find good books about art, although the focus is clearly (as the title indicates) on contemporary art rather than art history. I'd still recommend to watch the video though, maybe you'll find something interesting in it, or maybe there are more book recommendations in the comments.

[@landryharmon1891]

Tigermond1 thank you!

[@yadisfhaddad722]

I can't believe my luck! Finally I finally saved enough money to visit NYC this April, turns out every piece in the video would be gone by then! not only that, but other Public Art Fund's new works won't be revealed until May, as the black whirpool of Anish Kapoor. I booked for just the time when there will be nothing to see in these places!

[@theartassignment]

+Yadisf Haddad Very frustrating. But there's so much in NYC all the time! Not all free, of course. Let me know if you need recs.

[@serenavessella154]

When did you go to NYC ?

[@RedShoesSmith]

John!

[@celenameg]

Wonderful video! I really enjoyed this one, especially as I am trying to gain a greater appreciation for contemporary art and art that's easily accessible and visible by all.

[@scorpioninpink]

NYC is a too busy. I lived there for a year and I did not like it at all. The art museums and public arts were great but I honestly love living in Helena, Montana more.

[@jeff__w]

Who has _shelf brackets_ on a shopping list?

[@kalichicamacho4868]

You can tell prudential for me.........retirement pfffffffff im a Gen x er we don't get one.

[@vlogactor]

Big Bling looks like an elephant to me. Maybe that's just me.

[@maggieedna]

on a more serious note. there has got to be a way to do public art without gentrifying everything everywhere. I mean, I guess there is and it gets called graffiti and sandblasted away to make space for the gentrifying kind. blah.

[@theartassignment]

Without defending the gentrification that is undoubtably happening in lots of places were you find public art, I do think that there is a way for it to happen more organically.There is a long and glorious history of mural-making that continues today, and many of these emerge from local programs that work with people who actually live in the area and have history there.

[@fakebons]

What su op? u think you r video was really good espexailly the par t where yopu takl about what the golden shackel menat. can you splese make one aboput my art its linked here please whatch it really closely so you can learn al ot about it and it is good:

[@Dona-sw8tu]

Soy yo

[@emiliozavalaart]

Lol, You went from queens to Brooklyn on Uber???

[@fernandoventura2696]

To look in youtube. "filosofía cara caras baratas"...

[@ericswain4177]

I like the Art you video, but the incessant how you see it and what it is to you is what I consider a taboo as it may be something totally different to another unless that's your intention to provoke commentary, if so one must be present and able to communicate one with another.

[@babyirene3188]

Good lord. That is truly impressive. I never thought anyone could make N.Y. seem dull. But you did it. Amazing.

[@Dev1nci]

If the narrator could stop croaking at the end of each sentence, that’d be really great.

[@Dev1nci]

It’s SO annoying which is a pity because the content is REALLY good

[@MrMisanthrope_]

first

[@fakebons]

helloas >?

[@jmo8a_veda]

speaking of art the new modern developed tools are trying to make us believe whats new and washy but honestly its just abandonment now days and im just not into the whole fake pity party about real needs

[@mariachavez3709]

That’s some ugly Art

[@kennethbarber438]

why the need to speak so quickly?

[@eduardo_corrochio]

My guess would be: limited time in a short video and lots to say. Be happy the audio isn't sped up. It's bad enough (for me) that during post production most of her sentences have been trimmed so that there are no pauses between them, no breaths heard--- very unnatural to the ear, but that's today's world of video.