All Photos By Gail
Fans of this blog will know that I am way into repurposing and recycling items that would otherwise end up in a landfill into both functional items and aesthetically pleasing works of art, so when I read about Floating Maize, artist Jean Shin’s new public art installation at the Brookfield Place mall, I braved the subway to get down there to check it out.
Known for her inventive works that transform discarded materials into elegant expressions of place and identity, Jean Shin’s art and practice is ingrained with the idea of sustainability. With that in mind, Shin has repurposed thousands of green plastic soda bottles into an elaborate installation that resembles an artificial landscape.
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This large-scale artwork floats above the Winter Garden, engaging viewers to consider the relationship between plastic waste, dietary choices, and environmental stewardship. Depending on where the light is, you could really photograph the installation for hours, from many assorted perspectives, and get endlessly delightful results. Here’s a closer look at the installation details.
Both Floating Maize and The Last Straw, Shin’s other artwork at Brookfield Place (which I haven’t seen yet), enable viewers to see themselves within the context of the artwork and consider sustainability in everyday practices as well as within the global ecosystem. Taking individual responsibility for the welfare of our planet is more important every day.
Jean Shin is recognized for her inventive art works that transform cast-off materials into elegant expressions of identity and community. Her work has been exhibited widely in over 150 major museums, including solo exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art here in New York. Floating Maize is co-presented by Arts Brookfield and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) and as part of River To River 2020: Four Voices.
Jean Shin’s Floating Maize Will be on Display Through September 18th, 2020 at Brookfield Place New York (BFPL), Located at 230 Vesey Street, Battery Park, Manhattan. Hours are 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
