west harlem piers park
What I called the garden of sounds is a public art installation:
Public art displayed in the park by local artist Nari Ward was commissioned through the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art Program. A series of sculptures, titled Voice, was inspired by the local residents who would frequently fish at this site, and references the eyelet guide of the fishing rod. The sculptures are accompanied by Signage Barriers, a series of street–sign–inspired text. Words were drawn from surveys Ward conducted with community members, asking about their memories of the area. Mr. Ward was also inspired by the history of the native peoples that made this area their home, and the changing industrial and natural landscape of the Hudson River. Ward’s mysterious, poignant, and playful installation suggests a furtive and engaging take on the idea of landmark, collective memory, and the subjective nature of vision; opening up timely questions about shared experiences, loss, renewal, and memory.
