SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK

Socrates Sculpture Park is the only site in the New York Metropolitan area specifically dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to create and exhibit large-scale sculpture and multi-media installations in a unique outdoor environment that encourages strong interaction between artists, artworks and the public. The Park's existence is based on the belief that reclamation, revitalization and creative expression are essential to the survival, humanity and improvement of our urban environment.

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This week Socrates Sculpture Park had artist Lillian Gertrude drop by to showcase her "Watercolor For The Future" workshop, which had children using watercolors to paint a polluted landscape and then draw a cleaner happier landscape on top of the painting on a separate sheet of paper. Before Dropping by at Socrates, Lillian had a solo exhibit in the AIR gallery in Dumbo, New York. Being a Far Rockaway native, she felt the worst of Super Storm sandy and channeled that into a unique piece of art. Using wood, plexy glass, cardboard and whatever else she could scavenge, Lillian made a closed store front "Rock Jetty Deli & Food corp." to showcase some of the damage that Super Storm Sandy had done around New York. For more information about Lillian Gerson click on this Photo !

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Last week Socrates had the honor of hosting Chakaia's "Build A Meal" workshop for the kids ! Normally a ceramist artist, Chakaia stepped into a different yet similar medium for last week's workshop. Before dropping by at Socrates Sculpture Park, Chakaia was working on wearable fashion pieces made completely from basket weave. Towards the future, Chakaia will have a show in China in september and an exhibit in the Folk Eye King Art Center.

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Finished product, sculpted and ready to eat!!!

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Making a meal is busy work !

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Just part of the view from Socrates Sculpture Park.

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This week, artist and sculptor Chakaia stops by to build a meal with the kids !

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Before dropping by at Socrates for her amphora workshop, Cecile had an exhibit with us two years ago. It was a encaustic exhibit, which is a traditional medium that she regularly uses. Cecile has a studio at the Elizabeth Foundation For the Arts. In Cecile's work, she likes to bring out different cultures in an effort to blend them and showcase them as a whole. Next summer she will have an exhibit residing in Berlin and currently has an artist residency at The Center of Book Arts. For more information on Cecile Chong, Check out her website by clicking on this post !

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Some of the finished amphoras.

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“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

Pablo Picasso 

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Artist Cecile Chong pops up at Socrates Sculpture Park to showcase her "Amphoras For Us" Workshop !

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One of the many pieces of art at Socrates.

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As part of the do it (outside) exhibition, artist Rachel Higgins was tasked to create a pedestal and present a piece of work on it. Her interpretation was to let anyone place anything they found on it to make a sculpture. Check out other peoples sculptures by clicking the photo.

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Before dropping by at Socrates to showcase her Mud Speak workshop, Higgins last big scale project was tending to an abandoned shopping mall. After learning of a large Walmart land grant, Higgins armed herself with satire and a few artists, Higgins made the old complex into a pop-up art gallery. After leaving Socrates Higgins will do a 9 month residency at "LMCC" and is currently working on a project to show how public space may not be so public. For more information on this active artist, check out her website by clicking on this photo.

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A fine example of how art brings everyone closer together