Hudson River Piling Project Preview

by CH Contributor

by Ariston Anderson

Figurative sculptor Joan Benefiel decided to further beautify one of Hudson River's scenic piers with a new installation of sculptures to be mounted atop abandoned pilings. The Hudson River Park, stretching five miles up Manhattan’s Westside from Battery Place to 59th Street, is a classic New York park, combining both the old (ancient piers from a maritime past) and the new (a renovated bikeway/walkway and marine sanctuary). It's the perfect place in New York to get away from it all, surrounded by green, water, recreation and, now, art.

"I have long been enamored of the pilings; the submerged logs that once supported the Hudson's busy piers," Benefield says. "Along the recreation path on the west side of Manhattan, many of the piers have long since vanished, leaving the old, time and weather-worn logs jutting up out of the water." After passing the pilings one day, the artist realized they would make the perfect pedestals for her sculptures.

She designed and created a series of 10-foot tall figures to be cast in translucent orange resin, which will draw attention to the pier but also fit in with the landscape, mirroring the scattered height of the New Jersey skyline in the background. Engineered to catch the light, each sculpture will reflect their orange glow across the water.

This Thursday, Benefield's inviting guests to preview the sculptures against the sunset on the waterfront at Pier 42, at Hudson River Park, where they will be installed later this year. It's the perfect excuse to check out the latest public arts collaboration from the Hudson River Park Trust.

Hudson River Piling Project Preview
Hudson River Park's Pier 40 Picnic House
11 June 2009, 6:30–9pm
RSVP required: info [at] hudsonriverpilingsproject [dot] com
353 West Street
New York, NY 10014 map

The venue is located on the water at the end of the finger pier behind the Pier 40 building (where West Houston Street ends at the Hudson River Park, west side of Manhattan).

See another image after the jump.

Bicycle Film Festival: Joy Ride Art Shows

by Karen Day

Now in its ninth year, the Bicycle Film Festival is bigger than ever in 2009, hitting up 39 cities worldwide and including a blowout bicycle-inspired art show called Joy Ride.

Before traveling to five other major cities with the festival, four venues will host the show throughout NYC's Lower East Side and Soho neighborhoods starting next week. A group exhibition in collaboration with Anonymous Gallery, both internationally established and emerging artists have created works to express their common passion for the urban bike movement.

Contributing artists include Kenny Scharf, Martha Cooper, Agathe Snow, Scott Campbell, Ji Lee and many more. The artists work in varying mediums and genres, from ilovedust's romantic digital imagery (pictured top) to the delicate mandala by James Jean (above left, click for detail) and Steve MacDonald's bikes depicted with thread (above right), which make up the flyer for the show. Each venue will boast a uniquely curated multimedia installation with live performances, Joy Ride maps and—naturally—a plethora of bike enthusiasts.

See more images, a list of all participating artists and other location details after the jump.

Joy Ride
19-22 June 2009
Opening Night: 18 June 2009, 6-10pm
Sara D. Roosevelt Park/The Pit
Chrystie Steet at Broome Steet
New York, NY 10002 map

Kinny Stereo Acoustic Guitars

by Nathan Suberi

Add new dimensions to guitar recording with Paul Kinny's Stereo Acoustic guitars, which use two sound holes to create a richer, more dynamic sound. The mammoth design, both intriguing and off-putting, is reminiscent of harp-guitars employed by innovative musicians Andy McKee and Michael Hedges.

The two holes, oddly positioned towards the musician in lieu of his audience, separate the resonant bass tones from the twangy trebles. The result? Amazingly versatile sound capabilities similar to switching pick-ups on an electric. While electrics may produce solid basses and tinny trebles, rarely can they manifest both with the vivid success of the Stereo Acoustic. Tension heads mounted on the end of the guitar allow for alteration of the instrument's key, further enhancing versatility.

While not very practical for around-the-house guest entertainment, a sound-hole miked Stereo Acoustic is sure to deliver a magically rich recording experience.

The Stereo Acoustic is available, made to order, from Kinny Guitars.

Photos via gizmag.

Free Bird Boots

by Lost At E Minor

Free Bird is a handmade line of customized military boots applying recycling to fashion in a new way. Created by young New York-based designer, Stacey Howard, the boots were originally collected from military bases in the South. As Howard says, "It felt most natural to my aesthetic to use vintage native American garments and paint to refabricate the boots. Using a soldier's boot and an Indian's blanket, I wanted to merge two opposite and patriotic styles and use them in the most organic way."

Free Bird boots are currently sold through Steve Madden's Steven stores on Ludlow and Bleecker streets in New York.

See more images of Free Bird boots after the jump.