BY THE VILLAGE SUN | There have been many great artistic collaborations over the years, from Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat to Marina Abramović and Ulay.
Now, in the latest fab collab, the Village Alliance and Greenwich House have teamed up on a new installation of public art by local senior artists at Astor Place’s South Plaza. The unveiling was Mon., Aug. 26.
The art project aims to beautify public infrastructure, plus celebrate the contributions of older adults to local culture. Four artists — Karen Batten of Westbeth Artists Housing, Adrienne Gyongy of Independence Plaza, Madeline Richard of Center on the Square, and Merry Aronoff of Our Lady of Pompeii — were selected from 10 submissions by members of Greenwich House’s Older Adult Network, which includes four community centers for adults over age 60 across the West Village and Downtown Manhattan. The winning submissions now adorn electrical boxes placed throughout the plaza.
All submissions can be viewed on the Village Alliance Web site at www.greenwichvillage.nyc.
Presiding over the unveiling were Scott Hobbs, the executive director of the Village Alliance business improvement district; Darren Bloch, executive director and C.E.O. of Greenwich House; and Ya-Ting Liu, the city’s chief public realm officer.
This project is part of a broader effort by Village Alliance to activate public spaces through cultural programs. Later this year, a new partnership with the Poetry Society of America will be introduced in Ruth Wittenberg Triangle, at Sixth and Greenwich Avenues.
“Our public spaces have the opportunity to move us and inspire us,” said Public Realm Officer Liu. “This incredible intergenerational collaboration between the Village Alliance and Greenwich House shows us what is possible when partners come together to bring beautiful public art and joy to our neighborhood streets.”
Councilmember Carlina Rivera, who represents Astor Place and chairs the Committee and Cultural Affairs and Libraries, said, “I’m excited about the partnership between Village Alliance and Greenwich House that will activate public spaces and showcase art from older adults in the area. Local partnerships like this are a great way to nurture creativity and cultivate community.”
As well as public art, Village Alliance provides supplemental sanitation and safety services for its district, advocates for public space improvements and works to attract and attain local business.
Founded in 1902, Greenwich House serves the diverse needs of more than 20,000 New Yorkers by offering health, human services, education and arts programs. The four Downtown community spaces in its Older Adult Center Network focus on enriching the lives of adults age 60-plus through arts and health programs, hot lunches, social activities and events. Each center provides a supportive environment where older adults can participate in art classes, exhibitions and artist talks.
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