GARDEN
IN TRANSIT
MAYOR
BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES GARDEN IN TRANSIT COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT IN HONOR
OF 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST METERED TAXI
“Garden
in Transit” Will Travel New York City’s Streets from September
– December 2007
Mayor
Michael R. Bloomberg announced today that "Garden in Transit,"
a major community service and temporary public art project, will be
displayed on New York City's taxicabs in Fall 2007.
The
privately funded project, led by the not for profit program Portraits
of Hope, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of New York's first metered
taxi as part of TAXI 07, a program of the non-profit Design Trust for
Public Space in partnership with the Taxi and Limousine Commission
(TLC).
Beginning
September 2006, school aged children from throughout the five boroughs,
along with thousands of volunteers from corporations and community programs,
will paint large, colorful flowers onto decals that will be applied
to New York City's iconic yellow taxicabs. The traveling exhibition
will take place from September through December 2007.
Portraits
of Hope founders Ed Massey and Bernie Massey, Design Trust for Public
Space Executive Director Deborah Marton, First Deputy Mayor Patti Harris,
TLC Commissioner Matthew Daus, Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Iris
Weinshall, Health & Hospitals Corporation (HHC) President Alan Aviles,
Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Kate Levin, Parks Commissioner
Adrian Benepe, representatives of the Metropolitan Taxi Cab Board of
Trade, the League of Mutual Taxi Owners, and the New York Committee
for Taxi Safety, cab drivers, and children from participating organizations
attended the announcement at City Hall Park in Lower Manhattan.
"From
the silver screen to our City's street corners, our yellow cabs are
an essential part of the New York experience and our daily life, and
now our City's children will have the opportunity to use them as their
canvas," said Mayor Bloomberg.
"'Garden
in Transit' will be a great way for New Yorkers of all ages to celebrate
the 100th anniversary of the metered taxi. The mobility of this innovative
project is particularly exciting as New Yorkers and visitors across
the City will be able to see works created by volunteers, largely children,
temporarily adorning one of the City's most iconic symbols - the yellow
cab.
With
our unbeatable cultural and recreational attractions, it's no wonder
that visitors are coming here in record numbers. By hosting these kinds
of imaginative and inspiring events we are both enhancing our landscape
and aiding our economy. We look forward to this unique installation,
and we thank Bernie and Ed Massey for bringing this exciting project
to New York City."
"We
are thrilled to bring a project of this scale to New York City,"
said artist Ed Massey. "We are excited that this traveling installation
will be showcased throughout this great city on top of the famous yellow
cabs, and symbolize the power of kids, community, art and teamwork."
"No
other city's taxis are more celebrated or internationally recognized
than the yellow cabs that ride the streets of New York City," said
TLC Commissioner Daus. "Combining the healing power of art with
the talents of enthusiastic children is just a wonderful way to celebrate
this milestone year for New York City's iconic yellow taxicabs. We are
delighted to receive these beautiful mobile gifts, which will renew
focus on our taxicabs on and above our City streets."
"This
amazing volunteer opportunity provides a year long opportunity for children
to learn about achievement, service and volunteerism while taking pride
in their work as they see it going around our City," said Mayor's
Volunteer Center Executive Director Parvizi. "We look forward to
working with New York Cares, Children for Children, and other non-profit
organizations and City agencies throughout the five boroughs to engage
New Yorkers of all ages who want to be a part of this extraordinary
project, and celebrate their communities and their love for New York
City."
"The
iconic yellow taxi cab is the perfect mobile template to display the
talents of New York City's youngest artists, and projects like this
one remind us all to slow down and appreciate the uniqueness of our
urban environment," said DOT Commissioner Weinshall.
The
"Garden in Transit" project was approved unanimously today
by the TLC's Board of Commissioners. The Board's approval allows for
the painting of the panels for the project to commence in September
2006. The painting process will last approximately one year.
The
installation of the panels will begin in September 2007; a preview of
the installation will take place during the New York International Auto
Show in April 2007. The installation will be on display for a total
of sixteen weeks ending in December 2007. The panels are easily applied
and removed and will not damage the taxicabs.
For
more information on how to volunteer and participate, contact 311 or visit www.nyc.gov.
"Garden
in Transit" is a dynamic project that will help New Yorkers
celebrate TAXI 07, while calling attention to community involvement
and hands on civic engagement by unifying families and communities through
public art.
The
symbol for the "Garden in Transit" program is a flower in
an array of vibrant colors. The artwork, consisting of hand painted
panels with garden motifs, will be painted by children from hospitals,
schools, recreation centers, and shelters throughout the five boroughs.
Drivers
of yellow cabs, along with their children and families, are encouraged
to be a part of this project by participating in the creation and installation
of the artwork, and highlighting the importance of the work that they
do. Adult volunteers also will take part in this celebration by aiding
with painting and installation of the artwork onto the hoods and roofs
of the cabs.
"Garden
in Transit" will be one of this City's largest volunteer projects
and expansive public exhibitions. Under Mayor Bloomberg's leadership,
the City has welcomed public art and events that encourage New Yorkers
and visitors alike to come together and reimagine public spaces throughout
the five boroughs.
From
free concerts in city parks to Greenmarkets to temporary public art,
ranging from displays in City Hall Park to Christo and Jeanne-Claude's
"The Gates," there has been an unprecedented revival in major
public art events as a means to bring New Yorkers together.
"This
wonderful and whimsical roaming exhibit underscores this Administration's
enthusiasm for and commitment to public art," said Cultural Affairs
Commissioner Kate Levin. "It is also a terrific way to engage New
Yorkers in helping to make the City more beautiful, inviting, and inspiring
for everyone."
Portraits
of Hope was founded by Ed and Bernie Massey in 1995 as a public art,
creative therapy and education program for hospitalized and physically
disabled children, and has expanded to include a wide array of children
and adults who will participate through various community programs and
institutions.
The
program develops public beautification projects for children of all
ages, many of whom face medical or socio-economic challenges in their
daily lives. For those children who are disabled or ill, Portraits of
Hope employs specially designed paint brushes and tools including shoe
paint brushes, telescope brushes and mouth brushes. The program has
completed large scale projects across the US and internationally, including
the largest passenger airship in the country.
"This
exciting project will give our budding artists an opportunity to show
off their talents while learning about the importance of public art
and civic involvement," said Schools Chancellor Joel Klein. "I
look forward to seeing students' work on yellow taxicabs throughout
the City."
"The
city's public hospitals serve more than 300,000 New York City children
every year and we welcome the opportunity to bring a fun and therapeutic
experience to some of our pediatric patients who are hospitalized, as
well as to those who visit our clinics," said HHC President Alan
D. Aviles. "We are fortunate to have Portraits of Hope leading
this effort since they have particular expertise in bringing the arts
to even the sickest children and easily working with patients who have
medical and physical limitations."
TAXI
07, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the metered taxicab led
by the non-profit group Design Trust for Public Space in collaboration
with the TLC, will include an exhibition of a prototypical taxicab of
the future at the 2007 New York Auto Show, as well as other events and
efforts designed to emphasize and enhance the taxicab's functional role
in urban life.
The
Design Trust for Public Space is committed to improving New York City's
parks, plazas, streets, and public buildings. Each year, city agencies
and community groups from across the five boroughs are invited to propose
urban design projects. Top projects receive
assistance from a team of Design Trust fellows, experts chosen to suit
specific project needs.
By
forging public/private partnerships between neighborhoods, city agencies,
and design professionals the Design Trust creates powerful working relationships
that overcome political and logistical hurdles.
This
collaborative process meaningfully engages communities and design professionals
in fundamental civic planning and has become a model for similar efforts
in other cities. For more information, visit www.designtrust.org.
GARDEN
IN TRANSIT
Garden
in Transit is the most recent project of Portraits of Hope. Portraits
of Hope is a nonprofit organization that works with children in a fusion
of motivational, art, and creative therapy and public art.
We
at Garden in Transit are working with kids throughout New York to create
one of the largest public art projects in New York's history. Thousands
of children and volunteers in hospitals, schools, and community groups
are painting vibrant floral decals that will be installed on the hoods
roofs and trunks of NYC's iconic yellow cab this fall.
The
exhibition will be on display from Sept 1. to Dec. 31 '07 in honor of
the 100th anniversary of the metered taxi.
We've
scheduled two upcoming paint sessions in honor of the
taxi industry:
- Saturday
March 3rd will be a private painting session in honor of
the TLC. All TLC employees and their families are invited to our studio
on this day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This paint session is both to honor
all that they do for our city on a daily basis. We also hope to show
our gratitude at Garden in Transit for all that they have done and
continue to do to make our project a reality.
- Saturday
March 17th will be a private painting session in honor of
the taxi industry members that make the impossibility of navigating
this city a reality. We invite all taxi owners, drivers, and taxi
media professionals and all of their families to our studio to make
their extra special mark on New York's iconic yellow cab.
Attendees
MUST wear "paint clothes" or clothes that they do not mind
getting paint on (shoes included). This paint is permament and we wouldn't
want anyone to be prevented from participating in the fun for fear of
ruining their clothes.
Our
studio is located at 149 W. 32nd St. The space is directly between the
Hotel Pennsylvania and Manhattan Mall.
www.portraitsofhope.org
www.gardenintransit.org
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