Take a close up look at The Shape Of Truth words and images from Mr Vita
and sculptures by Ms Thorson.
The Shape of Truth exhibition will be displayed until the beginning of December.
According to Roosevelt Island Gallery RIVAA (527 Main Street):
Photographer Piotr Olszewski, photographer Anne-Marie Dannenberg and Sculptor Victoria Thorson are pleased to invite you to the opening of their Three Solos exhibition at RIVAA Gallery on Saturday, September 10, from 5 to 8 PM.
As reported earlier this summer, RIVAA's new leadership under President Sandra Gavelyte started a Go Fund Me campaign seeking to raise $500 Thousand for renovation of their premises.
The Lunchtime On A Skyscraper” mobile sculpture, inspired by a famous photograph of workers eating lunch on a beam during the 1932 construction of Rockefeller Center,
I recently spoke to the Lunchtime On A Skyscraper sculptor Sergio Furnari
as he was collaborating on a new Roosevelt Island project at The Sanctuary Events/Cafe space where his The Heart Monument is currently installed.
Learn more about Sergio Furnari at his website.
Here's more on Mr Funari's Lunchtime On A Skyscraper
sculptures.
Mr Funari also wants to help Take Us To Mars with the SpaceX rocket
using his thermal tile technology.
... The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) has selected Amanda Matthews/Prometheus Art to construct the Nellie Bly Monument on the northern end of Roosevelt Island at Lighthouse Park. The sculptural installation will be known as “The Girl Puzzle” and invites the viewer to experience many facets of Nellie Bly’s talent, conviction and compassion. The ground-breaking journalist and women’s rights advocate exposed the horrors of the Blackwell Island Insane Asylum in 1887 on Roosevelt Island.
“I am proud of the selection committee’s dedication to choosing such a passionate artist to honor the accomplishments of a woman who was truly ahead of her time,” said Susan Rosenthal, President and CEO of RIOC. “The committee, made up of RIOC employees and community leaders, unanimously selected this bold installation that will not only represent Nellie Bly’s time here, but her impact on the world.”...
Tomorrow, December 10, The Girl Puzzle will open to the public.
According to
The Girl Puzzle website:
Learn much more about Nelly Bly and The Girl Puzzle here.
According to RIOC:
Roosevelt Island!
Join us for the opening of The Girl Puzzle Monument honoring Nellie Bly tomorrow, Friday, December 10th, starting at 12 PM in Lighthouse Park.
The monument, opening to coincide with Human Rights Day and designed by Amanda Matthews of Prometheus Art, illuminates women who have endured hardship but are stronger for it.
This is a free public event. Please note that there will be limited seating but standing room only space will be available. Kindly wear warm clothing as we expect cold weather.
We look forward to seeing you at this important celebration of women’s empowerment, diversity, and inclusivity.
Here's former RIOC President Susan Rosenthal presenting the initial idea of The Girl Puzzle Nelly Bly memorial to the October 7, 2019 RIOC Board Real Estate committee meeting.
According to Ms Rosenthal:
... This came about as a result of the discussions we had with Judy Berdy of the Historical Society about the importance of Nellie Bly as well as a program that our Community Affairs Department did with the New York Public Library...
Ms Mathews Girl Puzzle presentation to RIOC Board followed Ms Rosenthal.
“The Girl Puzzle” honors journalist Nellie Bly, one of the island’s most famous, albeit temporary, residents. In 1887, at age 23, Bly acted her way into being committed to the Blackwell’s Island insane asylum to report on the conditions there. https://t.co/RSrQ3bRslA
— The Lily (@thelilynews) November 3, 2021
Welcome The Girl Puzzle Nelly Bly Monument to Roosevelt Island.
UPDATE 12/10 - Some scenes from today's ribbon cutting grand opening ceremony including interview with Ms Mathews.
UPDATE 12/11:
A brand new art exhibit was unveiled in New York City on Friday of a monument to Nellie Bly, regarded by many as America’s first investigative journalist. It’s one of only a handful of public monuments in the U.S. that depict women. pic.twitter.com/qJ8X2skmg9
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) December 11, 2021
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) will be hosting a community Town Hall meeting tomorrow evening, December 3, starting 6 PM at Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street) to discuss the details of the planned Nellie Bly Memorial with artist Amanda Matthews.
... The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) has selected Amanda Matthews/Prometheus Art to construct the Nellie Bly Monument on the northern end of Roosevelt Island at Lighthouse Park. The sculptural installation will be known as “The Girl Puzzle” and invites the viewer to experience many facets of Nellie Bly’s talent, conviction and compassion. The ground-breaking journalist and women’s rights advocate exposed the horrors of the Blackwell Island Insane Asylum in 1887 on Roosevelt Island.Did you know that due to the work of Nellie Bly and Charles Dickens, Roosevelt Island has been designated as a Historic Site In Journalism by The Society of Professional Journalism (SPJ)with a memorial plaque located at the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) Visitors Center Kiosk? According to an August 8, 2017 SPJ release:
“I am proud of the selection committee’s dedication to choosing such a passionate artist to honor the accomplishments of a woman who was truly ahead of her time,” said Susan Rosenthal, President and CEO of RIOC. “The committee, made up of RIOC employees and community leaders, unanimously selected this bold installation that will not only represent Nellie Bly’s time here, but her impact on the world.”
The installation will allow the viewer to enter a long walkway where they will encounter four, seven-foot-tall female faces, representing different ages and ethnicities, cast in bronze. A fifth face at the far end of the walkway will represent Nellie Bly. Each face will show the depth of emotion and the complexity of being broken and repaired, which was significant to the conditions Ms. Bly encountered when she posed as a mental patient to report on the conditions inside the mental hospital where the Octagon now stands. Construction of the installation is scheduled to be completed in the Summer 2020.
“It is my great honor to represent Nellie Bly’s life and legacy,” said artist Amanda Matthews, “and to celebrate her passion for diversity and inclusion. Her voice remains timely and significant today.”...
... Judith Berdy, historical society president; Rebecca Baker, SPJ president-elect; and Andrew Seaman, SPJ Ethics Committee chair, will discuss the historical significance of the site during the dedication at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday (Aug. 13) at the Roosevelt Island Historical Society’s Visitor Center kiosk.Here's the August 13, 2017 dedication and plaque unveiling
"All of New York City obviously has a romantic history with journalism, but no other place has captured my attention more than Roosevelt Island.” Seaman said. “Each time I visit, I can't help but think of Nellie Bly's journey to the 'madhouse' and her contributions to the profession. I'm so happy that the Society of Professional Journalists decided to recognize Roosevelt Island with this honor."
The Octagon, which is located on the north end of the island, is an ornate stone building built in 1841 to house psychiatric patients in its two L-shaped wings. Patients brought to the island by boat were separated from the rest of society in what Charles Dickens referred to as a “lounging, listless, madhouse air.”...
... Since 1942, SPJ has honored the people and places that have played important roles in the history of journalism through the Historic Sites program. Some honorees include: Freedom’s Journal, the first Black newspaper published in the United States, and The Wheeling Intelligencer, the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in West Virginia.
See a complete list of past winners – and the 2017 winner -- here.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is calling for artist proposals to create a Memorial to 19th century muckraking journalist Nellie Bly.RIOC announced today:
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) has selected Amanda Matthews/Prometheus Art to construct the Nellie Bly Monument on the northern end of Roosevelt Island at Lighthouse Park. The sculptural installation will be known as “The Girl Puzzle” and invites the viewer to experience many facets of Nellie Bly’s talent, conviction and compassion. The ground-breaking journalist and women’s rights advocate exposed the horrors of the Blackwell Island Insane Asylum in 1887 on Roosevelt Island.RIOC plans a Town Hall meeting in December where the public will get an idea of what the artist is proposing and see the scale of the installation as it relates to Lighthouse Park.
“I am proud of the selection committee’s dedication to choosing such a passionate artist to honor the accomplishments of a woman who was truly ahead of her time,” said Susan Rosenthal, President and CEO of RIOC. “The committee, made up of RIOC employees and community leaders, unanimously selected this bold installation that will not only represent Nellie Bly’s time here, but her impact on the world.”
The installation will allow the viewer to enter a long walkway where they will encounter four, seven-foot-tall female faces, representing different ages and ethnicities, cast in bronze. A fifth face at the far end of the walkway will represent Nellie Bly. Each face will show the depth of emotion and the complexity of being broken and repaired, which was significant to the conditions Ms. Bly encountered when she posed as a mental patient to report on the conditions inside the mental hospital where the Octagon now stands. Construction of the installation is scheduled to be completed in the Summer 2020.
“It is my great honor to represent Nellie Bly’s life and legacy,” said artist Amanda Matthews, “and to celebrate her passion for diversity and inclusion. Her voice remains timely and significant today.”
... About Prometheus Art
Prometheus Art is a design/build firm owned and operated by Amanda Matthews and Brad Connell. The award-winning artists partnered in 2009 and work on public art, metal sculpture, monuments, architectural metal work and historic sculpture restoration and conservation throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East. Clients have included universities, municipalities, corporations, architects, engineers, the U.S. Government and the U.S. Department of Defense. For more information, please visit PrometheusArt.com
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is calling for artist proposals to create a Memorial to 19th century muckraking journalist Nelly Bly. According to RIOC
RIOC OPENS CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR NELLIE BLY MEMORIALRIOC adds:
Will be placed near site of former Blackwell Island Insane Asylum
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) has issued a formal Call for Artists to create a memorial for Nellie Bly, the ground-breaking journalist who exposed the horrors of the Blackwell Island Insane Asylum in 1887 her on Roosevelt Island. The proposed memorial is part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s ongoing initiative to bring attention to the many contributions that women have made to New York State’s history.
While working as an investigative reporter for Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World in 1887, Ms. Bly went undercover as a patient at the infamous insane asylum for ten grueling days. Upon her release, she went on to publish a harrowing account of her experiences in the book titled Ten Days in a Mad-House. The work not only made Ms. Bly famous, but also led to reforms at other mental health facilities throughout the United States. She went on to have an impressive career as a journalist, where she covered important historic events such as the women’s suffrage movement in the early twentieth century and the Eastern Front during World War I.
“Nellie Bly’s life serves as an inspiration that transcends history,” said Susan Rosenthal, President and CEO of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. “Her commitment to reform, whether in the workplace, in healthcare, or as an important voice in the suffrage movement serve as an example to the women of today. Since her impressive career began here, I believe Roosevelt Island is the ideal place for a memorial that honors her achievements.”
The Call for Artists is open from now until July 12, 2019. Anyone who would like full details about participating in this project should visit https://rioc.ny.gov/448/Call-for-Artists
... SITE LOCATIONThe due date for Roosevelt Island Nelly Bly Memorial proposals is July 12. More info below
Although RIOC is open to other locations, it is intended that the proposed piece will be in the vicinity of the Octagon Building, which sits on the foundation of the former Blackwell Insane Asylum (Attachment A). The prospective areas for the art piece are the following:
- Octagon Park- located on West Road of the island. The current park provides passive recreation activities for picnic and barbecues and a great view of New York City Skyline.
- Lighthouse Park- located on the northern most tip of the island, the 3.78-acre park will be expanded early next year to include additional passive and active recreation opportunities for the public.
What actually happened to Nellie Bly 🕵️♀️ on the real Blackwell's Island? Find out, and watch @ChristinaRicci tell her story in Escaping The Madhouse: #TheNellieBlyStory 📰 premiering Saturday, January 19th at 8/7c. pic.twitter.com/OWF8GBfmuR— Lifetime (@lifetimetv) January 9, 2019
Will a final version of the Giant RI Monument
Discussion of the RI Welcome Monument PlacementDuring the October 19 RIOC Board Meeting Public Session, RIHS President Judy Berdy spoke for some in the community who do not want to see the Giant RI monument installed, particularly if it placed near the Visitors Center Kiosk.
During the October 19 RIOC Board meeting discussion, there was a disagreement about whether the Board approved the installation of Hudson Related big RI logo signage.Ms. Flug replied:
Several Board members said they only approved the placing of mock up RI sign - not the final approval to install it.
RIOC President and General Counsel said the Board approved the installation of the Big RI Sign but not it's final location.
Has RIOC looked back at the video to see what was actually approved? The video no longer on the public RIOC web site.
Has it been determined what was approved, the installation or just the placement of mock up?
I have reviewed the video which is very brief. In it, Margie makes a statement about relying upon what is in the materials and I have pasted what was written in the materials:Ms Flug adds that the agreement between Hudson Related and RIOC states:
The Kiosks and wayfinding signs will be completed in accordance with the annexed cost estimates. The design and placement location of the welcome monument will not be finalized without the approval of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board.
All Wayfinding Devices shall be installed in locations substantially as depicted on the renderings prepared by Calori & Vanden-Eyden dated April 11, 2017, attached hereto as Exhibit B. If during mockup or installation phase, Subtenant concludes that any of the proposed locations are structurally unsound or inadequate for installation, Subtenant shall propose alternative locations for RIOC's approval.Here is the discussion with Ms. Berdy and the RIOC Board during the October 19 Public Session of the RIOC Board of Directors meeting.
In all cases, the final locations of all Wayfinding Devices shall be subject to RIOC's final approval. The final design and location of the Welcome Monument shall be specifically approved by the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RI OC Board of Directors following the mockup phase.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC Administrative Office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.UPDATE 11/9, 9 PM - Following a presentation by Mr. Kramer and his staff in support of the Giant RI monument, RIOC's REDAC postponed any final decision in order to obtain views of the residents on the monument.
Agenda:
1. Discussion of the RI Welcome Monument Placement
2. Review of the Crown Castle NG East LLC Proposal on Cell Service Infrastructure on Roosevelt Island
3. Review of Open Construction Projects
4. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee
Yesterday afternoon, the Hudson Companies and Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) displayed a mock up of a proposed new Welcome to Roosevelt Island monument The gigantic RI monument was initially placed
I stopped by the gallery and was WOWed! Boy are you talented!
The Roosevelt Island Blue Dragon children's sculpture
... part of our mission is to improve the quality of life on this Island and I believe truly the introduction of art is one of the best ways....Through a translator Gustav Kraitz added:
This is a sculpture that asks to be touched and is an invitation to all children to please come up and touch it....Upon hearing that the sculpture was meant to be touched, the Roosevelt Island kids rushed forward to meet their new Blue Dragon.
The Blue Dragon is unveiled at Southpoint Park! #rooseveltisland pic.twitter.com/IiOB0qWkaq— RIOC NYS (@RIOCny) April 26, 2016
Here's a portion of the Roosevelt Island Blue Dragon Unveiling Ceremony including remarks from Ms. Rosenthal, Mr. Kraitz and NYC Council Member Ben Kallos. Don't miss watching the Roosevelt Island kids rushing to meet the Blue Dragon.Nu invigs Ulla och Gustav Kraitz lekskulptur pÃ¥ Roosevelt Island pic.twitter.com/1xmMdejgB4— Olle Wästberg (@OlleWstberg) April 26, 2016
My collaboration with Gustav Kraitz started with the inauguration of the Wallenburg Monument in 1998 outside the United Nations at 47th Street and First Avenue - I was at the time working as Cultural Affairs Oficer at the Swedish Consulate. The Swedish Government and the Nobel Foundation had commissioned the Kratizes to create a monument to honor the life and work of diplomat and humanist Raoul Wallenberg in New York....Here are some more scenes from the Roosevelt Island Blue Dragon unveiling today
... I had moved to Roosevelt Island from Westchester in 2011 and the Island had made quite an impression on me with all the new art projects and Cornell Tech in the pipeline to be completed in 2017. I asked Gustav Kraitz if he wanted to have a tour of the Island and meet with Gallery RIVAA and its dynamic President, Tad Sudol, before Gustav went back to Sweden.
Said and done. We went there on the Tram and Gustav was impressed with what he saw. He said he had a sculpture in mind that he wanted to donate to Roosevelt Island. He made good on his promise and the next time he came, he brought a picture of a children's play sculpture which has now been named "The Blue Dragon".
We are gathered here today to celebrate the arrival of Ulla and Gustav's gift to the Island and we hope that this sculpture will be the symbol of the beginning of a new chapter in the plans of a sculpture park for the Island for everybody to enjoy.
#rooseveltisland gets a new #sculpture donated all the way from a #swedish sculptor ! The Blue… https://t.co/Si6lG1bbnD— Sharon Lee Williams (@Sharon3williams) April 26, 2016
Will Roosevelt Island be turned into an "Island Of Art" filled with outdoor sculptures made by world renowned artists? The answer is yes if Roosevelt Island Gallery RIVAA's Tad Sudol has his way.
During the October 22 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors meeting (full video of meeting here), Mr. Sudol presented the Island Of Art plan to RIOC Directors beginning with the proposed installation of a sculpture (pictured below) donated by Swedish artists Gustav & Ulla Kraitz .
... Ulla and Gustav Kraitz are one of Sweden's foremost artists sharing a prolific career of four decades. Their work has been exhibited widely throughout the world and can be seen in museums, parks, and public settings in Europe and the U.S. Most notable is their Hope Monument to famed humanitarian Raoul Wallenberg, which is installed in front of the United Nations Building in New York City.Here's video of Mr. Sudol's October 22 Island Of Art presentation
