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September 13, 2006

FOOTPRINTS: Portrait of a Brooklyn Neighborhood

— an art exhibition footprints.gif

As debate over development rages, over 30 Brooklyn artists paint their portrait of the neighborhood around the Atlantic Rail Yards

On Thursday October 12th, 2006 (6-9pm), Footprints: Portrait of a Brooklyn Neighborhood, opens its doors to the public. Visitors will be presented with over 30 artists’ interpretations of the ‘footprint’ of Bruce Ratner’s proposed redevelopment of the Atlantic Rail Yards. The proposal, which includes the Yards and an adjacent portion of Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, is poised to be one of the largest urban redevelopment programs in the history of New York City.

In December 2003, when Forest City Ratner announced their proposal for the redevelopment, the effect on residents was immediate and dramatic. One moment they were residents of Prospect Heights. Then because their homes and business were within the re-development boundaries, they found themselves living in the shadow of an uncertain future. A new ‘neighbourhood’ was created which developers refer to as the ‘footprint’.

Using this metaphor as inspiration, curators Daniel Sagarin (photographer) and Belle Benfield (painter/printmaker) charged a group of local artists with the task of making artwork about their experience as they walk through the changing neighborhood outlined by the Empire State Development Corporation’s proposal.

The results are diverse, ranging from beautiful landscapes recording the skyline for posterity to abstractions dealing with the sensations of destruction or loss. Work from photographers, painters and filmmakers will be on display.

DATES: October 7th - November 3rd
RECEPTION: Thursday, October 12th, 2006 6-9pm
HOURS: W-F 5-8pm, S&S 11am-4pm
VENUE: Grand Space, 778 Bergen St. in Prospect Heights
(Corner of Bergen and Grand, near the Brooklyn Museum).

Press previews will be scheduled by appointment between October 7th-11th.

Posted by lumi at September 13, 2006 10:05 PM