Reglazing, Fred Wilson public art, and Green-Wood

This past week I got a few bowls out of the kiln. The under glaze, glaze, and textures all look really interesting, but there were some rough spots in the inside of the bowl so I am reglazing to try and smooth those out. Ceramics is a really good practice for me because it requires planning and allows for spontaneity. I really like the concept of the clay working for me even if I am not working on it—which is what I like to think is happening when it is being fired. While I love textiles, making by weaving or knotting or even embellishing, is very time intensive. Clay is also very time intensive, but being able to space out the process, think, and still have clay working for you is really liberating for me. I am really thankful to live near an amazing studio, Gasworks NYC, and to have childcare, which enables me to go somewhere outside my home and focus.

As a new mom, I feel like I am relearning everything. How to work. How to work out. How to cook while caring for a baby (is this even possible?). How to see art. How to make art.

I saw some art in public space this past week with my sister and baby. While on a walk we stumbled upon Fred Wilson’s Mind Forged Manacles/Manacle Forged Minds in Downtown Brooklyn’s Columbus Park. I used to walk through this plaza almost daily when I lived in Brooklyn Heights and I really miss it. I’m happy that there is a contemporary work of art that sits between two permanent monuments (Henry Ward Beecher and Columbus). Mind Forged Manacles/Manacle Forged Minds will be up until June 27, 2023, which is a shame because it really sits nicely in this space and deserves to stay. I like this write up in Brownstoner about the work and I’m going to dig into Wilson’s work more because he is an inspiring artist making inspiring work.

I am actually working on a few consulting projects right now where I’m helping clients research and plan their public art. These projects are the developer’s contribution to public art and are part of the local jurisdictions public art program, where new developments need to contribute either to the public art, chosen by the city’s public art team, or spend a certain amount on new public art work.

It’s fascinating how these projects come to be and I hope I can push my clients to fund and install art that speaks to the physical space and the past, present, and future communities that will interact with the work. When choosing artwork for a public space there’s so much to consider. It’s tricky because the timelines are long and you want artwork that will be relevant when it is installed and also stand the test of time.

I was thinking about this as I went on a walk in Green-Wood cemetery, one of my favorite places to stroll. (You actually cannot run in the cemetery). There are tombstones and crypts. Lakes and paths. Castles and catacombs. I never get bored walking through. It’s like a sculpture garden.