Wednesday, September 10, 2025 – THE FDR PARK HAS A NEW ART INSTALLATION

By admin

Ai Wei wei debuts Camouflage at the
 FDR Four Freedoms State Park

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025

Judith Berdy

Issue # 1530

Camouflage by Ai Weiwei

On display September 10 – November 10, 2025
The pavilion is designed with the Brooklyn-based design firm Camber Studio.

This project is based on and inspired by New York City’s Four Freedoms State Park, designed as a posthumous memorial by architect Louis Kahn to honor Franklin D. Roosevelt and his Four Freedoms. Situated on Roosevelt Island, in the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Park offers a striking view of Manhattan’s skyline and stands almost directly opposite the United Nations headquarters. The memorial spans a narrow passage approximately 200–300 meters long, centered around a statue of Roosevelt and his iconic speech on the Four Freedoms.

The concept of this project is rooted in the English term camouflage, defined in the Oxford Dictionary as both a means of disguise and concealment and as a tool for creating illusions to protect or to mislead. These dual meanings provide a compelling starting point. The installation employs camouflage as a central motif, covering the sides of the narrow passageway. Camouflage, ubiquitous in depictions of war—conflicts ignite and spread across various regions at the moment—has become a pervasive pattern across media and social platforms.

In this artwork, we reinterpret camouflage with cat patterns, replacing its traditional abstract designs. Cats, which have a sanctuary on Roosevelt Island, align seamlessly with the project’s message. Observations over time reveal that in the wake of human disasters—be it pandemics, wars, or environmental crises—animals, particularly those closely connected to humans, such as cats, often suffer profoundly. By incorporating cat patterns, the work reminds viewers that while human beings face crises of their own making, animals bear the brunt of these consequences, entirely innocent yet deeply affected.

The project explores the essence of Roosevelt’s four freedoms, beginning with freedom of speech—the fundamental right for everyone to express their understanding of goodness and justice, free from the influence of politics, religion, or economic power. It also reflects on freedom of religion, affirming that no one should dictate another’s faith or spiritual path. Freedom from want highlights the right to pursue one’s ideals, while freedom from fear takes center stage in our times. Today, fear pervades not only in war zones but even within so-called democratic societies, where uncertainty about the future renders freedom from fear a privilege, inaccessible to many.

The artwork uses the symbolic nature of camouflage to spark a dialogue about what needs protection and what requires the removal of disguise to reveal truth. This is a challenging question, but addressing it is essential.

Meanwhile, we install a wooden watering frame structure at the end point of the narrow passage, draped in this camouflage. From the outside, whether viewed from New York or up close, or when the audience walks under the camouflage fabric, it resembles a battlefield. But it actually forms a pavilion-like space where people can feel the harsh and absurd reality of war.

A Ukrainian proverb, “Кому війна, кому мати рідна”, hangs from the built sanctuary structure: “For some people, war is war; for others, war is the dear mother.” In plain English, it captures the idea that for some, war is a disaster, while for others, it is an opportunity for profit. Similarly, the Chinese saying “bad luck and good fortune coexist” emphasizes the intertwined nature of misfortune and luck. Upon reflection, modern wars often arise from the pursuit of profit—but whose profit, and at what cost? How many lives must be sacrificed to achieve these gains? These are the questions we must confront.

The project incorporates public participation, encouraging visitors to print their wishes on ribbons that will be attached to the camouflage netting. This participatory element fosters greater engagement and amplifies the artwork’s message. Public involvement and awareness are integral to the essence of this work.

During the exhibition, admission to the Park will require a FREE timed-entry ticket. More information to come.

Camouflage by Ai Weiwei is commissioned by Four Freedoms Park Conservancy and the pavilion is designed with Camber Studio.

Approaching the end of the lawn and the tented area appears.

The structure is supported by giant timbers that are planted in large wooden  stacks placed on the granite wall supports. More supports are strung into the walls.  Though the camouflage fabic is light and airy, the supporting structure is built to support all types of wind and weather.

Nothing is better than to have kids approve of this new play area!!!

Ai Weiwei was happy to stand and great visitors. He easily chatted with the guests and told me of admiring our quiet island in the City.

Louela Streitz and I enjoyed the evening chatting with  FDR, &  RI staff, Cornell friends and neighbors.

BEFORE THE FDR FOUR FREEDOMS STATE PARK,
THE SOUTHPOINT
WITH THE DELACORTE GEYSER IN THE 1980’S

UPDATE
ARE THESE THE NEW DOORS INSTALLED AT THE SUBWAY STATION, LOOKING JUST LIKE THE OLD ONES?

Credits

JUDITH BERDY

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.

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