High Line-inspired Art: Sur la ligne/On the line

Jan Gilbert's "Sur la ligne/On the line" at 571 Projects.

571 Projects in Chelsea is now showing a High Line-inspired work by artist Jan Gilbert. The New Orleans native makes her debut in New York with a piece entitled Sur la ligne/On the line. In the gallery’s press release, Gilbert states that the High Line “serves as a superb viewing pedestal of this vibrant, quirky, industrial layer of the city.”  Her photographic works combine multiple perspectives on views from the High Line, and the images are embalmed in a transparent membrane.

West Chelsea Rezoning Wins 2009 ULI Global Award

West Chelsea Rezoning map from the DCP's website.

The Department of City Planning’s 2005 West Chelsea Rezoning proposal recently won this year’s Urban Land Institute’s Global Award for Excellence.  The ULI bestows their Global Award on projects across the world that show “the best cross-regional lessons in land use practices” (read more about the award here).

In addition to preserving the High Line and creating a High Line air and light corridor through setback requirements, the West Chelsea Rezoning encouraged residential development and affordable housing while preserving mid-blocks for continued use by art galleries.

Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden, who herself received the ULI’s J.C. Nicols Prize this year, has long been one of the High Line’s greatest champions.  Congratulations, Commissioner Burden and everyone at the DCP–your work has made our already great city even greater!

High Line Gift Memberships at The WIRED Store

This holiday season, you can purchase a High Line Gift Membership at The WIRED Store, in the Meatpacking District through December 28. The WIRED Store is located at 415 West 13th Street (between 9th Avenue & Washington Street), and is open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 12:00 Noon to 9:00 PM. Stop by to see the latest in technology and design products, including eco-friendly products selected by Adrian Grenier and his partners on SHFT.com.

You can also purchase a Gift Membership, starting at $40, on our Web site.

1948 Aerial Photo

The West Side, from about West 15th Street to West 10th Street. Courtesy Nick Jones. Click to Enlarge.

High Line supporter Nick Jones recently sent this great aerial shot our way. He tells us it was taken in 1948, and that the aircraft  (from left to right a Stinson SR-10, Grumman Widgeon, and Grumman Goose) are all NYPD planes.

This Saturday: PS 11 Fall Festival and Crafts in Chelsea

Jack-o-lanterns from Lorrie Beasey's Etsy shop, available this weekend at Crafts in Chelsea

While the chilly breeze blows on the High Line this weekend, you can come down to two fabulous fall celebrations on one block: P.S. 11′s Fall Festival, and Crafts in Chelsea, presented by the independent artists of The {NewNew}. The two events are presented in collaboration to celebrate the beginning of fall for kids and families of all ages.

Inside P.S. 11 (West 21st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues), indulge in fall goodies, and activities such as a pie contest, cupcake decorating, face-painting, a petting zoo, a bouncy castle, and magic shows geared towards kids kindergarten through fifth grade. Outside on 21st Street, browse through 75 stalls of the finest hand-made local crafts including clothing, jewelry, paper designs, toys, and more at Crafts in Chelsea, a free street festival co-sponsored by Etsy.

P.S. 11′s Fall Festival

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Free for all adults and P.S. 11 students

$10 for all non-P.S. 11 students

Crafts in Chelsea (Free Street Festival)

10:00 AM – to 5:00 PM

21st between 8th & 9th Avenues

New Whitney Museum Makes Advances

A rendering of the new museum, with the High Line to the right. Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Cooper, Robertson & Partners

The New York Times reported yesterday that the Whitney Museum has signed its contract with New York City’s Economic Development Corporation to take over a city-owned site next to the southern end of the High Line.  The Whitney is planning a new museum designed by Renzo Piano, with 50,000 square feet of exhibition space– nearly twice what the Whitney’s Madison Avenue location has.

The agreement gives the Whitney 4 years to pay the $18 million for the site, and five years to begin construction. Design renderings released a couple of years ago show a six-story building, stepping down from the West Side Highway towards the High Line in a series of terraces. The plan also calls for a large street-level public plaza, and public indoor space on the ground level, to complement the High Line’s Gansevoort Plaza and Gansevoort stairs.

Whitney Advances Plans for Museum Near the High Line [NY Times]

Kitchen Block Party this Saturday!

This Saturday brings the Kitchen Block Party, free neighborhood street festival the High Line, put on by the Kitchen, one of our favorite arts partners.

It happens from 12 Noon to 5 PM on West 19th St. between 10th and 11th Aves.

We’ll be there, with a booth featuring interactive art projects by Kim Beck and Michael DeFeo. There will also be great food, live performances, and craft and activity booths led by artists.

It will be lots of fun for all ages!  Take a walk on the High Line, then check it out!

Download the Flyer

PARK(ing) Day NYC this Friday

Parking Day 2008 Video from Streetfilms

Park(ing) Day, one of our favorite yearly public space happenings, takes to the New York City streets this Friday!

This international event transforms metered parking spaces into playgrounds, parks, creative installations, and unusual meeting-grounds for all to hit the pavement and enjoy. Converting car-intended spots throughout the five boroughs, these park(ing) spaces are a great example of  street-space reclaimed. Park(ing) Day’s mission doesn’t sound too far off from the High Line’s reclamation of  space for the public.

Last year the High Line participated in the Park(ing) Day extravaganza, one of 57 spaces across the city. This year, our newly-opened park hovers 30 feet higher than most parking spaces, but encourages you to check out a nearby Park(ing) Day space on ground level. A map and description of all the spots is here.

One of our favorites is right here in the neighborhood.  Weave the Hearts, sponsored by the West Harlem Art Fund and created by Japanese artist Shintaro Tokairin, can be located at 400 W. 14th Street, near 9th Avenue. Tokairin has created a woven installation piece which will encapsulate the space, inviting visitors to relax and indulge in the artistically-inspired parking spot.

Art in the Windows of Phillips

All photos courtesy Phillips de Pury & Company

Visitors to the High Line in August — especially those who have visited at night — may have noticed new artwork installed in the windows of Phillips de Pury.  Artist Nils Folke Anderson has created After Before and After, a large sculptural installation fabricated from recyclable expanded polystyrene.  This installation can be viewed both from inside the Phillips galleries, and from the High Line’s Sundeck.  This work will remain on view through September 6. More photos after the jump.

No Longer Empty

Last night brought the opening of an art exhibition inspired, in part, by the High Line.

“Reflecting Transformations” features artworks that address the idea of transformation and celebrate “the regeneration of the area and the transformative nature that art can have on a community.”  This eclectic show is installed in a vacant storefront on 16th Street in the Caledonia building, mere steps from the 16th Street entrance to the High Line.  The show was organized by “No Longer Empty,” a collective of curators and artists who are devoted to temporarily transforming vacant storefronts into venues for contemporary art.  A welcome project, especially in these tough times.  The exhibition runs through September 26.