Thursday, July 6, 2023 – WHO SAID WE CANNOT KEEP A SECRET FOR 10 YEARS

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

THURSDAY , JULY 6, 2023

ISSUE#  1031

THE WALL IS REVEALED

IT TOOK OVER 10 YEARS!

JUDITH BERDY

WE ARE NOW ON TIK TOK AND INSTAGRAM!

INSTAGRAM @ roosevelt_island_history

TIK TOK @ rooseveltislandhsociety
CHECK OUT OUR TOUR OF BLACKWELL HOUSE ON TIC TOK

The story starts in February, 2013 when the RIHS asked RIOC to find a better design for the wall outside the vent shaft building across from our subway station. When at a RIOC Operations Committe  meeting I learned of the project and that a brick wall was the idea planned for the wall. the RIOC Operations Committee approved the idea and informed New York Transit. Little did I know this would be a 10 year odyssey. The first step was for architects to come and examine the site.  They arrived by subway and commented on the ugly site of the vent shaft building obstructing the Manhattan skyline. A time later MTA Arts for Transit  (now MTA Art & Design) held a meeting with a committee of professional including curators, artists, political representatives and staff to select a group of artists to be asked to submit designs.  After reviewing the work of about 25 artists the group was down to five candidates. After submissions by three artists (two were not available) Diana Cooper was chosen. This was just the beginning of the project that suffered from many delays.

The mosaic (96 feet long and 8 feet high) was manufactured in Italy and spread it out on a driveway before being cut into sections to be shipped to the States. Photo is from 2015.

Look closely and see the numbers for the sections where the mosaic will be cut into sections.

In April of 2022 the wall was installed and promptly covered up to protect it during the remaining construction of the LIRR tunnel beneath,

Diana Cooper last April during wall installation.

Today Rick texted me that the wall was revealed and here is his photo!!!!! Tomorrow the gate will be installed and we are waiting for No Parking signs (so the mosaic does not get damaged)

Thanks to a wonderful supporter SANDRA BLOODWORTH who shepherded this project thru all kinds of obstacles and would anually tell me that it would be finished some day,  The day is here and all are thrilled that Diana Cooper’s Double Take is reality.

PERSON  OF THE DAY

Sandra Bloodworth is Director of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Arts & Design, in New York, an award-winning public art program that has transformed New York’s century-old transportation network into a first-rate museum. Bloodworth joined the MTA in 1988 and became director in 1996. Over three decades, Bloodworth has shepherded works of art installed in subway and rail stations including those by Nick Cave, Elizabeth Murray, Yoko Ono, Jacob Lawrence, Kiki Smith, Yayoi Kusama, Ann Hamilton, Firelei Baez, Vik Munoz and Alex Katz. Under her leadership, MTA Arts & Design has gained increasing renown as a leader in art in the field of public transportation by creating a collection of nearly 400 public artworks that are beloved by millions. Bloodworth is the recipient of the Sloan Public Service Award and the Gari Melchers Award from the Artist’s Fellowship.

THURSDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY

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ROOSEVELT ISLANDHISTORY@GMAIL.COM

Text by Judith Berdy
Thanks to Bobbie Slonevsky for her dedication to Blackwell’s Almanac and the RIHS
Thanks to Deborah Dorff for maintaining our website
Edited by Melanie Colter and Deborah Dorff

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated

MAYA LEVANON-PHOTOS TIK TOK & INSTAGRAM\
JUDITH BERDY
ROOSEVELTISLANDERBLOGSPOT.COM
RIHS ARCHIVES
DIANA COOPER 
MTA ARTS & DESIGN

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THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.

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