Narrative 4: The river that flows both ways.
This installation is 1500 foot long coast-iron fence that
runs along the water front of Battery Park. The piece serves as a reminder to
modern New Yorkers of the commercial significance of the city as a port and the allure of the new, promising land that our grandfathers
inhabited and developed. It depicts the
historical events that shaped American culture, such as the arrival of Henry
Hudson, lunching of a steamboat, as well as various aquatic creatures. It serves
as a connection between Manhatttan Isaland and Ellis Island where immigrants
landed symbolizing the gate to the new, better life. Nowadays, the
narrative of this piece could also be looked at as a reminder of a necessity to
restore the health of the river to bring back the abundance of the sea
creatures. On top of it all, it also provides the park visitors with the save overlook to the Statue of Liberty and Historic Waterfront.
Narrative 5: Markets of Chinatown.
Chinatowns is one of my favorite places to hang out. It
never fails to surprise with exotic items, food, traditions and rituals often seens as a city within a city. Part of it is due to my own ignorance of chinese ways of life and
part is the fascination with their authenticity. Many tourist get attracted to those
streets for the same reason as I’m – to experience things I haven’t seen or tried. Experiencing Chinese supermarkets to a European eye is like being transported
to a magic shop on Diagon Alley, but to many Chinese it is a way of connecting
to their past and staying true to the old ways, garding their traditions. Local markets also lures
passerbyes with cheap, fake luxury goods that too many symbolize status and stability. To many it is an opportunity to stock up of goods to flash in fornt of their friends. Chinatowns encapsulates many different narratives in the neighborhoods, making it
one of the most vibrant neighborhood of New York. Bordering with Little Italy,
it creates a ground of constant rivalry for the space.
Narrative 6: Intentional or Unintentional
Tiffany and I came across these “blowing holes” by accident while taking a stroll of a hot afternoon and exploring Lower Manhattan. Located near the starting point of "River that flows two ways", it instantly made me wonder whether it was intentional or accidental. Was it created to relive pressure form the waves? Was it a recent addition to the neighborhood after the hurricane Sandy? Since it was a hot day, the holes provided a nice relieve from the heat. I’ve noticed that this place was a final destination for local runners who enjoyed the refreshing breeze from those sprinklers. Those holes also amplified the sound of the waves crushing into the seafront, allowing everybody to hear the sound without getting too close to the water and providing a relaxing sound effect. It was a perfect example a man harvesting nature powers to create something so simple and beautiful.
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