"On the Fence"
On the Fence
On the Fence is an inquiry into issues of urban landscape, handwork, labor, and community; it compares the connections and disconnections of these ideas with one thread.
Our urban landscape is that of hard metals and stern concrete exteriors that are designed to shelter as well as protect. In contrast, handwork speaks of soft comforting interiors, nurturing and warm. On the Fence brings these contrasting ideas together by stitching a hard city surface—the deteriorating metal fence surrounding PS 122—with a rich, organic blue web.
During the month of September, I worked daily at the PS 122 project site, crocheting my web onto the fence. My physical presence during the installation allowed me to draw attention to the connection between community and labor. I was constantly working outside, attracting the curiosity of passers-by and interacting with the surrounding community, including the neighbors and the construction crew. I was struck by the similarities between the construction crew’s slow but deliberate contribution to PS 122’s hard exterior and the softer, subtler contributions of my own work. These parallel labors invoke ideas of purpose and material. Finally, I will also lead crochet workshops for the Lower East Side Girls Club during the month of October.
Over the course of the installation much of the project was cut by vandals … Realizing that public art must absorb vandalism I decided to mend the piece with white thread, like scar tissue.
Crystal Gregory
http://crystalgregory.org/
Please take a look at the video Crystal made:
http://www.vimeo.com/6842695
Sadly, the vandalism continues on this new project and Crystal has had to patch it several days in a row. Here are the photos we have so far.
Crystal working on the web, patching where it was damaged.
White patches where it was damaged.
Photos from 9-25. You can see all the dust and debris that we have to look at every day. We’re lucky to have this beautiful web growing on our fence while we’re under construction. We hope the vandalism stops soon.
Here Crystal is beginning her work on the fence. She's working right on the corner of First Avenue and 9th Street.
Photo by Joanna Tam
