It’s summer and it should be enjoyed to the fullest a.k.a outdoors and perhaps enjoying one of these many public art installations and cultural events around the world taking place in your city. We only get three months of Summer so let’s make good use of it. In this month’s installment of Cultural Events to experience around the world, I’m mostly covering outdoor public installations, which are not only making Cities beautiful but they are mostly free to enjoy and inspire spectators. Public art installations are one of my favorite things for many different reasons, apart from the ones stated above they are also a great way to burn some calories towards your daily goal and you won’t even notice.
Public Art Installation and Cultural Events Around The World
New York City
Bjorn Skaarup, Hippo Ballerina
Right across from The Lincoln Center is a whimsical outdoor sculpture by Danish artist Bjørn Okholm Skaarup. The artist took inspiration for the 15-foot-high bronze sculpture from two different sources: a film and a painting. Dante Park, W. 63rd St between Columbus Ave and Broadway,
Jenny Sabin Studio, Lumen
This installation at the MoMA PS1 courtyard is most likely the coolest installation in the City right now. Made of one million yards of robotically woven fabric and stretching across the open air courtyard, the woven structure also changes over the course of the day, displaying color in sunlight and glowing after sundown. Museum’s visitors are able to interact with Lumen, which reacts to heat, sunlight, and density of bodies in its immediate environment.
Anish Kapoor, Descension
“The renowned British sculptor’s water feature for Brooklyn Bridge Park consists of a whirlpool furiously churning within sight of the Manhattan skyline”. Pier 1, Old Fulton St at the East River, Brooklyn.
Liz Glynn, Open House
Featuring ghostly cast-concrete facsimiles of luxe Louis XIV sofas, chairs and other furniture pieces, the Los Angeles artist Glyn sets the atmosphere of what he calls Open House in a form of Beaux Arts Style. Doris C. Freedman Plaza, E. 60th St at Fifth Ave.
Josiah McElheny, Prismatic Park
Enhancing the already beautiful Madison Square Park, artist Josiah McElheny created three large architectural sculptures painted in bright colors throughout the park. The Flatiron district is a very popular among students and tourists… if you happen to be by the area you should pay a visit to Eataly and also to the Cheese Heaven called Breecher’s and make sure to try this amazing lavender chevre…
Others outdoor installations in New York City worth seeing below,
Adrian Villar Rojas, The Theater of Disappearance at The Roof Garden at The Met Museum
Katja Novitskova, “EARTH POTENTIAL”
Lluis Lleo, Morpho’s Nest in the Cadmium House Park Avenue Malls, 52nd to 56th Sts
July also celebrates the very important US Independence Day on the 4th of July where the entire country hosts parties, parades and fireworks.
London
This is not an outdoor event, but it’s so worth to mention. I love any initiative intended to help new artists or designers because I know first hand how hard it is to make it on your own. Of course we all have our families and friends supporting us but having an organization validating your work is priceless.
Royal Art Exhibition Summer 2017, London
” Almost 250 years ago, the RA’s founding members agreed to hold an “Annual Exhibition of Paintings, Sculptures and Designs … open to all Artists”, to help finance the training of young artists in the Royal Academy Schools”. It explores themes of discovery and new talent from her unique position as Keeper of the Royal Academy – the Academician who is responsible for supporting and guiding the students. Till August 18.
Paris
Parisians are all about enjoying the outdoors hence there are a lot of interesting things to do while enjoying the City of Light’s beautiful architecture. Just how I like it.
Bastille Day Celebrations
Fireworks
On July 14th the French celebrate Bastille Day, the country’s National Day, so expect fireworks and lots of parties around the city. Fireworks will be set off from the Eiffel Tower.
Paris Plages
From mid-July to end-August, bank of the Siene and Bassin de la the Villete are closed to traffic and instead artificial beaches are installed including a number of entertainment activities, like sand dunes, children’s games and more…
On July 23rd after cycling over 2,000 miles, the world’s most famous bicycle race completes on the Champs Elysees.
