Richard Galpin

On May 7, 2010, a new artwork by Richard Galpin, entitled Viewing Station, debuted on the High Line, New York City's elevated park built on a former freight rail trestle on Manhattan's west side.

 

Using a specially designed and constructed viewing apparatus, this commissioned artwork offered park visitors an altered perspective of familiar surroundings. Park visitors looked at the Manhattan vista through a rectangular aperture, precisely aligned with a metal screen from which geometric shapes have been cut. Exact alignment of these two devices with the buildings behind transformed the city into a dynamic abstract composition.

 

The geometric language of Galpin's work recalls early twentieth century movements such as Constructivism and Futurism, while observing change and transformation in the 21st Century urban environment.

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Viewing Station was located on the east side of the High Line, between W. 17th and 18th Streets from May 7th 2010 until May 6th 2011.

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This High Line Art Commission was presented by Friends of the High Line and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. High Line Art Commissions are made possible by Donald R. Mullen, Jr. Additional support for Viewing Station was provided by Hales Gallery, London.

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This High Line Art Commission was presented by Friends of the High Line and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. High Line Art Commissions are made possible by Donald R. Mullen, Jr. Additional support for Viewing Station has been provided by Hales Gallery, London.

 

Project Profile on Highline Art Website: 

http://art.thehighline.org/project/richardgalpin/

About High Line Art:

 

High Line Art is an ongoing series of new art commissions and creative partnerships, presenting contemporary art in, on, and near the park. High Line Art emphasizes site-specific pieces that respond to the uniqueness of the High Line in form, structure, and concept. The program's core goals are to provide and facilitate opportunities to artists to showcase their work in a public venue where they can reach wide audiences; to further enhance the excitement and uniqueness of the High Line; and to reinforce New York City, and in particular, the neighborhood around the High Line, as a vital cultural center. Selection and oversight of High Line Art is handled by Lauren Ross, the Donald R. Mullen, Jr. Curator and Director of Arts Programs at Friends of the High Line.

 

About the High Line:

 

The High Line is a public park built on a 1.5-mile elevated freight rail structure. Originally constructed in the 1930s to deliver meat and agricultural goods to the industrial West Side, the High Line connects the west side neighborhoods of the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea, and Clinton/Hell's Kitchen. Section 1of the park, running from Gansevoort Street to W. 20th Street, opened to the public in June 2009. Section 2 will extend north to W. 30th Street, and will open in spring 2011. Sections 1 and 2 are owned by the City of New York, and operated under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks & Recreation, in partnership with the non-profit Friends of the High Line. The High Line is open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM. For more information, please visit www.thehighline.org