A Nice Green Leaf: In the green heart of New York
Two lots of change to the greenscape of New York City this week. One is the announcement of detailed proposals for the Ground Zero site's commemorative garden and pavilion, which have to be finished before any work on commercial buildings can start, by order of the Governor.
The roof of the new building overhangs two of the original "tree trunk" columns from the Trade Center, and leaf-like veins will pattern the roof. But the most exciting thing for me in terms of making this a place apart is the idea of an oak grove right in the heart of commercial Manhattan. Overlooking pools filled by long fountains, you can't help feeling the right note of meditation and commemoration has been created.
It will take years to finish though. In the meantime, elsewhere in New York, Mexican artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer has made a spectacular set of lights for Madison Square Park that are set off by heart-rate sensors. Light will dance along amongst the trees, expected to attract up to half a million visitors to the park. "It's not like a disco," though, warns the artist, before saying he's aiming for something a little more Steve Reich than Steve Wright.
And if you can't get to Manhattan between the 24 October and November 17 but London seems doable, Lozano-Hemmer is bringing a similar light show to Trafalgar Square from the 14 November until the 23.
Ooh, I'll be in New York at the end of the month - I shall drag Hubster along to Madison Square Park!
Posted by: Julia | Monday, 06 October 2008 at 05:55 PM
You are going to be in mesozoic heaven with all those gingko trees...
PS you're not actually going to be there for Halloween are you? I have never ever experienced anything like Halloween in America... even the air stewardesses and check in people at the airport were in fancy dress... it's amazing...
Posted by: emma townshend | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 09:59 AM
The pavilion looks a bit blocky. The garden bits look great but they could have done so much more with the building - green walls, green roof, etc - as well as make it look more interesting. It looks like something my infant children would put together using lego, only not as colourful.
Posted by: Jakers | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 11:03 AM
oh, you are way harsh. Anyway I have a nasty feeling green walls are going to turn out to be a flash in the pan that don't make it through successive growing years... The growing medium remains a contested area and I don't think anyone has quite got the hang of it... BY 2020 we'll all be saying "ha ha, green roofs, so 2008"
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Posted by: barnumgain | Saturday, 23 May 2009 at 02:35 AM
oh, you are way harsh. Anyway I have a nasty feeling green walls are going to turn out to be a flash in the pan that don't make it through successive growing years... The growing medium remains a contested area and I don't think anyone has quite got the hang of it... BY 2020 we'll all be saying "ha ha, green roofs, so 2008"
Posted by: eve-isk | Monday, 22 June 2009 at 08:24 AM
I have never ever experienced anything like Halloween in America... even the air stewardesses and check in people at the airport were in fancy dress... it's amazing...
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