Speaking of art, the zip-tie installation — Flaming Cactus — that went up over the weekend prompted more comments here than I expected. (Read the post here.)
Meanwhile, someone connected with the projected left this comment:
Hello all. I was part of the installation. I just wanted to chime in to assure readers that WE, the group that installed them, are responsible for the removal of the zip ties once the installation has run its course. ANIMUS was commissioned by the DOT to install Flaming Cactus at Astor Place after seeing it on Governors Island during FIGMENT. Flaming Cactus doesn't aim to be highbrow; the underlying goal is just to demonstrate that everyday objects can be transformed into something interesting just by combining them in unusual ways. It's art on a shoestring budget. Those of you that like the piece - enjoy. Those of you that don't — suck it up, we'll be back to take it down in June 2012.
"turning everyday objects into something interesting".
ReplyDeleteYou mean like what Mosaic Man has been
doing for 20+ years?
A simple box cutter can speed up that 2012 exit date in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the lawsuit when someone's dog (or a human) gets an eye poked out by one of those protruding tie-wraps. Hey, if they made them longer they could whack everyone going by in the bike lane !
Walked past this last night, it looks great. Not sure how it will look though once they get all grimy.
ReplyDeleteI think it's rather unsightly, it's a huge mass of disposable plastic, what do you expect. It's only gonna get uglier as it weathers and fades.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people care about this? It's not offensive & by no means an eye sore. WHO CARES?! Pick your battles people, we have a SUBWAY on Ave B.
ReplyDeleteThese aren't "battles" to be fought. People are commenting on a blog about what they think of a public art piece. Isn't it okay if not everyone's on board with it? Anyways it's inconsequential. Comments! That's all this is. That people cannot tolerate differing opinions on a silly plastic art (come on now, its really more decor than art isnt it?) piece is troubling.
ReplyDeleteI really like it. Cheap, easy, colorful. It is an inspiration that even mundane street infrastructure can contribute to the aesthetics of a city. If it makes an 8-year old kid go home and zip-tie up a broom handle or create a chain, all the better.
ReplyDeleteRidiculous
ReplyDeleteridiculous
ReplyDeleteHaving now seen this "art installation" in person I feel compelled to weigh in.
ReplyDeleteTo me it's cheap looking. It's simplistic and inane, exactly the sum of its parts--zip ties on a light pole. It would look gaudy in a suburban shopping plaza.
If bits of brightly colored cheap plastic brightens up your day then more power to you. But there's also no need to go around condemning people for not liking it, labeling them as downers and implying that they don't know how to enjoy things like you do.
If something makes you stop and see your surroundings in a new and fun way, then art has definitely been created. And bright colors added to New York City streets never hurts.
ReplyDeleteThe same art just went up on Spring St and in the Urban Plaza by Trump on Spring. It actually looks very nice in solid colors on the Trump lamp poles.
ReplyDelete