Client: NYC Percent for Art

Location: New York City, NY, United States

Completion date: 2001

Artwork budget: $189,000

Project Team

Artist

Carl Cheng

John Doe Co.

Public Art Agent

Charlotte Cohen

NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs

Industry Resource

John Zabala

DMJM Harris Structural Engineer

Overview

One of two projects by this artist, located at the Wall Street Ferry Pier, East River, New York City. The end of new pier was made into a pedestrian island with bridge. There is a pond in middle of island that reflects silhouettes mounted on overhead canopy. Sun light, overcast days, tidal rise, wind and passing ships activate water reflections and shadows on deck and pond in different ways. Materials include cast concrete deck, welded steel, and wood benches. Size: 60′ x 60′

Goals

The artist met with community residents in lower Manhattan and listened to request for community access to the East River and the rest area. The concept was to make a separate community island at the end of Ferry Pier which was approved by NYC Cultural Affairs Dept. The artwork includes generic NYC faces mounted on a steel canopy and a stainless steel grid to reflect in water.

Process

The artist worked independently from hardscape architect and ferry terminal building architects. He worked with engineers from DOT and with people from the Cultural Affairs Office.