View of Manhattan from Gov's Island

It is unbelievable to me that there exists, just a five minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan, an island paradise of 172 acres with trees, expansive grass, cool old military buildings and streets without cars. I’m talking of course about Governor’s Island and it took me three and a half years to make it over there. Leave it to an art exhibition to be the impetus for my trip. This World and Nearer Ones features 19 commissioned work by 19 artists organized by the nonprofit organization, Creative Time.

Waiting for the ferry

Some of my favorite works were:

Shot Up Wall

Shot Up Wall by Teresa Margolles which is an actual wall found in the artist’s hometown in Mexico that has been shot up by drug lords. The wall was removed and reinstalled on the island. It is a powerful reminder of the daily acts of violence that occur around the world.

Between You and I by Anthony McCall is an instllation not dissimilar to many I have seen before. The artist uses light and mist to create haunting cones that reach to the ceiling. What was so special about this installation is that it was in a chapel.

Tritone Westy

Tritone Westy by Klaus Weber is an oversized windchime tuned to a dissonant tone which was thought to arouse the devil in the Middle Ages. It is not the soothing and peaceful sound one expects from a windchime but the artist is known for manipulating banal objects.

La Tierra de los Libres by Judi Werthein is a wonderful piece–maybe my favorite in the exhibition. She worked with Colombian musicians who make their living performing in restaurants. She gave them an overly literal translation of The Star-Spangled Banner and asked them to reinterpret the words to come up with an original song. The artist then recorded their performance and translated their lyrics back into English. The work is inventive when looking at the video from the front, but an element of humor and cleverness comes out when the viewer walks behind the screen. I loved it!

Krzysztof Wodiczko presents a more somber piece with Veterans’ Flame. One enters a tunnel to a dark and damp room in which a projection of a candle flame flickers on a wall in tune with the sound of voices. The voices are those of soldiers sharing their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If you don’t head to Governor’s Island for the art, at least go for a picnic, an escape from the city. It feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.

Nic and Suz on the island