Downtown Alliance Unveils Aquatic Dream, A Re:Construction Public-Art Project
The Alliance for Downtown New York today announced the installation of Tatyana Murray’s Aquatic Dream, which runs in TriBeCa along the Department of Design and Construction’s Hudson Street Reconstruction project on Hubert Street between Washington and Hudson streets.
The 1,165-foot-long mural is printed on vinyl mesh along wire fencing, and Ayelet Danielle Aldouby and Elinor Milchan of ARTEA Projects served as curators and consultants for the piece. The Downtown Alliance’s Re:Construction program began in 2007 and has produced 22 pieces, 13 of which are up for viewing.
“Now residents, workers and visitors in Lower Manhattan and TriBeCa can enjoy Tatyana Murray’s Aquatic Dream, part of our program to recast construction sites as canvases for innovative public art and architecture. Thanks to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, our program is available anywhere south of Houston Street,” said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Downtown Alliance. “Re:Construction is an ongoing opportunity for government, artists, curators, property owners and business people to work together to make something beautiful. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Re:Construction is produced by the Downtown Alliance and funded by a $1.5 million grant from the LMDC. Engaging, thoughtful and whimsical, the temporary artworks create colorful landmarks and brightened streetscapes as they help mitigate the impact of Lower Manhattan’s numerous building projects.
"The Department of Design and Construction is pleased to continue its partnership with the Downtown Alliance's Re:Construction program in Lower Manhattan," said Commissioner David J. Burney, FAIA. "We are delighted that the Hudson Street project can display Tatyana Murray's Aquatic Dream in the Historic Tribeca community.”
Aquatic Dream is inspired by water’s varied currents and light reflections. It’s a universe in constant flux. Through the piece’s movement and tones, one slowly dives into a meditative moment amid the grind of the city.
"I started scuba diving when I was a young child,” Murray said. “From my very first dive, I was always fascinated with the fullness of the life that existed below us.”
“Tatyana’s work is mesmerizing because of its tones and shapes,” Ayelet Danielle Aldouby and Elinor Milchan said. “The dark purples and echoing water rings bring viewers to a contemplative pause, allowing them to slowly dive deeper and deeper in the depth of the project. Recreating elements of nature in the urban landscape reminds us how art can help us interact with our surroundings and encourages us to rethink the core values of our environment.”
Murray grew up in England and studied at New York University and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her work has been exhibited since 1997 in solo and group shows in Manhattan, London, Paris and Vienna, including at 120 Gallery, James Graham & Sons, JG Contemporary and the National Arts Club in New York, Blains Fine Art in London, Habres & Partners in Vienna, and A Gallery in Paris.
Previous Re:Construction projects have been installed at:
• Grand and Lafayette streets: Downtown Dogs*
• 50 West Street: Life, Actually*
• Hudson Street between Franklin Street and Ericsson Place: Star Sun Burst*
• W Hotel New York – Downtown: Hours of the Day*
• Chambers Street: Secret Gardens*
• Fiterman Hall: Restore the View*
• 99 Church Street: Walking Men 99*
• 56 Leonard Street: Rendering Leonard*
• Hudson River Park: Botanizing the Asphalt*
• 50 Trinity Place: Poster Project at 50 Trinity*
• 99 Washington Street: Flying Animals*
• East River Waterfront Esplanade, South Street:
Fence Embroidery with Embellishment*
• Titanic Park, Fulton and Pearl streets: Water Movements
• West Thames Park, Battery Park City: It Takes Time to Turn a Space Around
• The Fulton Street Transit Center, John Street at Broadway: Best Pedestrian Route
• Fulton Street reconstruction site, between Broadway and Nassau: Fulton Fence
• Fulton Street Transit Center, Broadway between Ann and John streets:
Concrete Jungle
• Goldman Sachs headquarters, 200 West Street: Untitled
• AIG building, 175 Water Street: Green Gate, Summer
• Street reconstruction site at Houston and Broadway: Houston Fence
• Louise Nevelson Plaza, Maiden Lane and William Street: Rainbow Conversation
* currently up for viewing
For more information on the Re:Construction program and high-resolution images of the projects, click here.