Figment NYC Free Participatory Public Art Project Coming To Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park And Other RI Locations June 1 & 2 - RIOC Town Hall With NYC Emergency Management, NYPD, PSD Reviews Safety & Transportation Preparations And Answers Residents Questions

Gothamist reported on the June 1 & 2 Figment NYC event at Lighthouse Park and other Roosevelt Island locations:

It's time again for one of the city's largest participatory art events: Figment NYC, two days of interactive games and installations designed to encourage playfulness, creativity, experimentation, and exploration. This year the fest takes place on Roosevelt Island, and more than 120 artists will participate in making it happen. Just a taste of the weekend's delights: a mini-golf course designed by sixth-graders and inspired by fairy tales, theatrical pieces inside tiny boxes, participatory art-making from the Museum of Makeup Art, a costume station aboard a pirate ship, a giant unicorn art bike that powers its own light and sound system, a whimsical wheeled sailboat, a garden of wind chimes, a laser harp that plays sound based on live satellite data, and much, much more.

 Image From Figment NYC

A Roosevelt Island Mom asked yesterday:

... We are trying to get a feeling if it will be another Cherry Blossom disaster this weekend, since we are planning our daughter's birthday party for Sunday afternoon and families are invited from Manhattan and Queens....

I answered that the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) seems better prepared by working with NYPD 114 Precinct, NYC Emergency Management Department, MTA F Train Station Manager and Figment NYC organizers to better handle the June 1 &2 Figment NYC Participatory Public Art event than it was for Cherry Blossom Festival. And added:

None of them think the visitors will be as many as Cherry Blossom Festival.

But there is no way of knowing for sure.

It’s a risk having people come on Sunday for the party but no way to know for sure.

Sorry I can’t give you a more definite answer.

Estimates of visitors for the April 13 Cherry Blossom Festival ranged from 35 - 40 thousand people overwhelming Roosevelt Island that day with long lines and huge delays at the Tram, Subway, Ferry and RI Bridge. Also, many complaints about lack of bathrooms, food and water at the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Figment NYC organizers and RIOC do not expect anywhere close to that number of people for the Roosevelt Island event. Last year's Figment NYC on Governors Island drew no more than 12 thousand people. Learning from the mistakes of Cherry Blossom Festival, those wishing to attend Figment NYC at Lighthouse Park are being encouraged to sign up online for free tickets. As of today, 2619 tickets have been obtained.

RIOC held a Town Hall meeting on May 23 to inform concerned residents about plans for the June 1&2 Figment event and to reassure residents that there would not be a repeat of the Cherry Blossom Festival Disaster. According to RIOC Press Release:

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RIOC President Says Figment NYC June 1-2 Lighthouse Park Event A Test Case To See If Roosevelt Island Can Handle Large Crowd Events - PSD Hosting May 23 Town Hall Event To Discuss Safety Preparations For Figment, You're Invited To Attend And Share Concerns

Roosevelt Island is hosting the 2019 Figment NYC Participatory Art Project at Lighthouse Park on June 1-2.  The event is expected to draw large numbers of visitors to Roosevelt Island which is of great concern to residents who do not want a repeat of the Cherry Blossom Festival Transportation disaster with:

• dangerously long lines at the Tram, Subway, Ferry, 
• closure of the Roosevelt Island Bridge to traffic,
• lack of bathrooms, food and water for the visitors.

Estimates of visitors for the Cherry Blossom Festival ranged from 35 - 40 thousand people overwhelming Roosevelt Island that day.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal reported during the May 9 Board Meeting that the Figment NYC event will be a test case to see if Roosevelt Island can handle large crowd events.

Ms Rosenthal said that the 2018 Figment NYC Festival at Governor's Island drew 12 thousand people but that they have no idea how many visitors may come to Roosevelt Island this year. Ms Rosenthal added that the Figment NYC Lighthouse Park event will be using tickets for entry. 



Following the Cherry Blossom Festival Transportation disaster, RIOC has been in discussions with NYC Emergency Management, NYPD, FDNY, MTA and Figment NYC organizers to develop safety procedures for the June 1-2 Lighthouse Park event.

On May 23, the RIOC Public Safety Department will host a community Town Hall Meeting to  discuss safety preparations for the June 1-2 Figment NYC Lighthouse Park event.

According to RIOC:

KNOW MORE, BE SAFE

COMMUNITY TOWN HALL DISCUSSION WITH PSD ON THE SAFETY AND PREPARATIONS FOR FIGMENT NY

THURSDAY, MAY 23rd at 6 PM

The Chapel of the Good Shepherd

543 Main Street ADA accessible

Invited Guests:

NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM), NYPD, Figment NYC, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, Council Member Ben Kallos

What: Figment NYC is a free participatory arts event that celebrates creativity by challenging artists and participants to find new ways to create, share, and dream.

When: Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd

Where: Various Island locations, including Lighthouse Park, along the West Promenade, the Motorgate Atrium, and the lawn south of Rivercross.

Here's May 7 RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting discussion of plans



for Figments NYC event.

Also, click here if you are interested in volunteering to help at Roosevelt Island's Figment NYC participatory public art project.

View this post on Instagram

ENYA are looking for volunteers to help in the construction of the City of Dreams Pavilion this week and next at Lighthouse Park on Roosevelt Island. This year’s winning team, @somewherestudio, will be begin work this Tuesday May 21 by staking the site and laying foundations. The rest of the week will see the assembly of the CLT panel modules. Don't delay, please sign-up to volunteer through our committee page. #cityofdreamspavilion #figmentnyc #enyacommittee

A post shared by Emerging New York Architects (@enya.aiany) on May 20, 2019 at 7:04am PDT

Learn more about Figment NYC at their web site.