The Brooklyn Working Artists Coalition
celebrates the 20th anniversary of its outdoor sculpture show
at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park on Aug. 3.
This year’s fresh-air installation features more than 30 sculptures
from Brooklyn Working Artists Coalition (BWAC) members and national
talent with themes ranging from the humorous to the events of
Sept. 11, according to co-curator Richard Brachman.
"There is such a vast range of sculpture and philosophies
of sculpture [in this year’s show]. All different varieties,
shapes, mediums and styles," said Brachman. "Darrell
Petit has a very interesting piece, a site-specific piece which
incorporates some of the larger rocks of the park. There are
three pieces that directly reference the World Trade Center buildings.
ACME Jones has created a bed of flowers using found materials.
Dan Bergman has a blue, inflatable sculpture and Michael Whitney
has a row of stars – sitting on the ground – made from ladders."
Brachman, a DUMBO resident and sculptor, said that BWAC has changed
over time, but so has the park that is the backdrop for its annual
show.
"The journey to create the Brooklyn Bridge Park has been
a long one, and all along, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park has
been the example of what Brooklyn’s river edge could become.
So, too, has the BWAC Outdoor Sculpture Show been an example
of how art can coexist and enrich the experience of a public
park."
Brachman has been curating the outdoor sculpture show with Ursula
Clark for three years.
"I’ve always been interested in the park," said Brachman.
"I was always active in opposing commercial enterprise in
the park and trying to keep the park a green space, something
for relaxation and community use. So when BWAC asked me to help
organize the show, I thought I’ve been committed to the park
remaining a park, so I should put my money where my mouth is
and participate in that work."
Brachman’s social consciousness permeates his work, too – quite
literally.
"Mostly I was a painter, but I started doing sculpture to
comment on social issues I thought were of concern to everyone.
I usually put commentary on them about what I’m thinking or why
I built it."
The BWAC show sculptures are situated throughout the park where
viewers enjoy the natural setting as well as the artwork.
"I thought it was a really wonderful idea to have sculptures
in the park and interact with it," said Brachman. "It’s
a different venue from a gallery or a museum – much less inhibiting,
a much more approachable way to look at art. And most of the
people who go to the park feel that way. They talk to the artists
while they are installing, they touch and climb on [the sculptures]
and sit in the shade of them."
For 20 years, BWAC has provided an opportunity for hundreds of
artists to display their works and provided food for thought
for thousands of visitors. On Saturday, the tradition continues
with live music from noon to 6 pm on the Little Red Hen Music
Stage, hosted by Jan Bell, and the sculptors will be on hand
to meet the public.
The free exhibition is on view through
Sept. 2. Enter the park on Water Street at Dock Street. For more
information about BWAC, call (718) 596-2507 or 802-9254.