Dumbo Links Week of 03May09

art scaffolding

(How cool is this silhouette mural by de-fenceproject.com)

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

24 Comment

  • Here’s the details on that silhouette mural:

    The De-Fence Project is a site-specific display that is integrated into a 300ft long wooden fence running atop a sidewalk bridge of the Empire Stores building in the Empire-Fulton State Park in Dumbo, Brooklyn. The mural is composed of 60 plywood panels attached above and below the fence utilizing the existing wooden framework. Evolving from left to right, the pattern features a variety of natural shapes, such as jellyfish, leaves, and birds.

    This project is a great example of how the unsightly can easily be made more beautiful and interesting. Donated entirely by Exhibitology Inc., a Brooklyn based design and fabrication company, it is now threatened by the hand of our state government that often forgets the everyday people it represents. But the De-Fence Project has won the hearts of Dumbo residents and the support of local business owners, such as St. Ann’s Warehouse. Many business owners have praised the project, and feel that in a challenging economy, bringing interest and creativity to our area can only help welcome potential customers. They want it to stay, especially because they will be living with this construction fence for a long time. Due to the building’s deterioration, the sidewalk bridge was erected to protect pedestrians on the sidewalk below; it is slated to be in place for the next seven years, or until repair funding is realized.

    The De-Fence Project was erected to coincide with BKLYN designs, a showcase for young Brooklyn-based designers. Due to time constraints, Exhibitology was not able to secure permission in time to for the May 7th install and thus The State’s position is that anything that they can’t control is not allowed. Regional director of New York State Parks, Rachel Gordon has officially deemed the installation “vandalism” and has threatened to pursue the matter further stating that if the installation is not removed by Exhibitology Inc. promptly, and the sidewalk bridge returned to its original bleak condition, they will destroy it.

  • Here’s the details on that silhouette mural:

    The De-Fence Project is a site-specific display that is integrated into a 300ft long wooden fence running atop a sidewalk bridge of the Empire Stores building in the Empire-Fulton State Park in Dumbo, Brooklyn. The mural is composed of 60 plywood panels attached above and below the fence utilizing the existing wooden framework. Evolving from left to right, the pattern features a variety of natural shapes, such as jellyfish, leaves, and birds.

    This project is a great example of how the unsightly can easily be made more beautiful and interesting. Donated entirely by Exhibitology Inc., a Brooklyn based design and fabrication company, it is now threatened by the hand of our state government that often forgets the everyday people it represents. But the De-Fence Project has won the hearts of Dumbo residents and the support of local business owners, such as St. Ann’s Warehouse. Many business owners have praised the project, and feel that in a challenging economy, bringing interest and creativity to our area can only help welcome potential customers. They want it to stay, especially because they will be living with this construction fence for a long time. Due to the building’s deterioration, the sidewalk bridge was erected to protect pedestrians on the sidewalk below; it is slated to be in place for the next seven years, or until repair funding is realized.

    The De-Fence Project was erected to coincide with BKLYN designs, a showcase for young Brooklyn-based designers. Due to time constraints, Exhibitology was not able to secure permission in time to for the May 7th install and thus The State’s position is that anything that they can’t control is not allowed. Regional director of New York State Parks, Rachel Gordon has officially deemed the installation “vandalism” and has threatened to pursue the matter further stating that if the installation is not removed by Exhibitology Inc. promptly, and the sidewalk bridge returned to its original bleak condition, they will destroy it.

  • Even though the State is immune from prosecution by the City there is no way they can leave this “art” in place. Architectural plans need to be filed with the DOB for their approval and any alteration wold require an amendment. The liability policy for this sidewalk bridge would be canceled based on these alterations.
    The question is why this moron would put herself out there by calling it vandalism when she could of simply said her hands were tied etc.

  • Even though the State is immune from prosecution by the City there is no way they can leave this “art” in place. Architectural plans need to be filed with the DOB for their approval and any alteration wold require an amendment. The liability policy for this sidewalk bridge would be canceled based on these alterations.
    The question is why this moron would put herself out there by calling it vandalism when she could of simply said her hands were tied etc.

  • I don’t believe I’m agreeing with loose stool here but, whoever decided that it was ok for the plywood to descend into the walkway there has apparently never been chased of Water Street by any of the speed kings who fly down it. I don’t take issue with the changes to the sidewalk shed but please trim back the pieces that drop down to eye and head height in the sidewalk.

  • I don’t believe I’m agreeing with loose stool here but, whoever decided that it was ok for the plywood to descend into the walkway there has apparently never been chased of Water Street by any of the speed kings who fly down it. I don’t take issue with the changes to the sidewalk shed but please trim back the pieces that drop down to eye and head height in the sidewalk.

  • I don’t believe you are agreeing with me epc. Any alteration is a violation of the law without an amendment. If you wish to maintain that the “end justifies the means”, in this case, “art” or maybe “ART”, then I suspect you have no problem with medical breakthroughs discovered by Nazi Germany during the 2nd World War.
    People on this Blog have no problem bleating about Two Trees and their “political contributions” verses “bribes”. If you want to hold their feet to the fire, you better hold everyone’s feet to the fire.

  • I don’t believe you are agreeing with me epc. Any alteration is a violation of the law without an amendment. If you wish to maintain that the “end justifies the means”, in this case, “art” or maybe “ART”, then I suspect you have no problem with medical breakthroughs discovered by Nazi Germany during the 2nd World War.
    People on this Blog have no problem bleating about Two Trees and their “political contributions” verses “bribes”. If you want to hold their feet to the fire, you better hold everyone’s feet to the fire.

  • MCBrooklyn has a photo of the state park workers removing the lower panels of the art installation, supposedly due to “saftey concerns”. I suspect LS is right (well, up to the point Godwin’s Law came into effect), modifications to the shed structure would create potential legal liability issues for the state parks department. Which is a shame, that sidewalk shed was such an eyesore before it had been “modified”.

  • MCBrooklyn has a photo of the state park workers removing the lower panels of the art installation, supposedly due to “saftey concerns”. I suspect LS is right (well, up to the point Godwin’s Law came into effect), modifications to the shed structure would create potential legal liability issues for the state parks department. Which is a shame, that sidewalk shed was such an eyesore before it had been “modified”.

  • speed kings in dumbo?
    people seem to drive slower in dumbo, it seems. the belgium blocks , pot holes and general shitty road maintence make for a bumpy ride.

  • speed kings in dumbo?
    people seem to drive slower in dumbo, it seems. the belgium blocks , pot holes and general shitty road maintence make for a bumpy ride.

  • Loose Stool… did you just really compare a shed to the Nazi’s? Blows my mind how often Godwin is right. I’m mean seriously, how do you expect people to respect your argument when you make comments like that?

    This is just a power play by the State Parks association. Rather than seeing original ideas and value coming from outside of their association, and in turn, embracing them and finding a way of integrating them into their policies, they have to go straight for the jugular and throw out the V word and threaten destruction.

    This would have never even been an issue if someone from the Park Association had actually stopped to think… “Hmmm, this thing is going to be here for 7+ years! Maybe we should make it actually visually appealing. Maybe we should think about how it “adds” to the community in which it resides rather than “taking away” from it.”

    Shame on the Parks Association and shame on Loose Stool.

  • Loose Stool… did you just really compare a shed to the Nazi’s? Blows my mind how often Godwin is right. I’m mean seriously, how do you expect people to respect your argument when you make comments like that?

    This is just a power play by the State Parks association. Rather than seeing original ideas and value coming from outside of their association, and in turn, embracing them and finding a way of integrating them into their policies, they have to go straight for the jugular and throw out the V word and threaten destruction.

    This would have never even been an issue if someone from the Park Association had actually stopped to think… “Hmmm, this thing is going to be here for 7+ years! Maybe we should make it actually visually appealing. Maybe we should think about how it “adds” to the community in which it resides rather than “taking away” from it.”

    Shame on the Parks Association and shame on Loose Stool.

  • It seems that this thread wasn’t long enough for Godwin’s law to be applied. Shame on you Loose Stool. But then again, you are quick to compare those who disagree with you as conspiracy theorists or Nazis.

  • It seems that this thread wasn’t long enough for Godwin’s law to be applied. Shame on you Loose Stool. But then again, you are quick to compare those who disagree with you as conspiracy theorists or Nazis.

  • The art on the bridge
    Caused temporary blindness,
    I have soiled myself.

  • The art on the bridge
    Caused temporary blindness,
    I have soiled myself.

  • In any event, I heard the panels were taken down last night by the artist…

  • In any event, I heard the panels were taken down last night by the artist…

  • Pingback: Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » Art Installation Removed at Empire Stores (DumboNYC.com)

  • Pingback: Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » Art Installation Removed at Empire Stores (DumboNYC.com)

  • Here's the details on that silhouette mural:

    The De-Fence Project is a site-specific display that is integrated into a 300ft long wooden fence running atop a sidewalk bridge of the Empire Stores building in the Empire-Fulton State Park in Dumbo, Brooklyn. The mural is composed of 60 plywood panels attached above and below the fence utilizing the existing wooden framework. Evolving from left to right, the pattern features a variety of natural shapes, such as jellyfish, leaves, and birds.

    This project is a great example of how the unsightly can easily be made more beautiful and interesting. Donated entirely by Exhibitology Inc., a Brooklyn based design and fabrication company, it is now threatened by the hand of our state government that often forgets the everyday people it represents. But the De-Fence Project has won the hearts of Dumbo residents and the support of local business owners, such as St. Ann’s Warehouse. Many business owners have praised the project, and feel that in a challenging economy, bringing interest and creativity to our area can only help welcome potential customers. They want it to stay, especially because they will be living with this construction fence for a long time. Due to the building’s deterioration, the sidewalk bridge was erected to protect pedestrians on the sidewalk below; it is slated to be in place for the next seven years, or until repair funding is realized.

    The De-Fence Project was erected to coincide with BKLYN designs, a showcase for young Brooklyn-based designers. Due to time constraints, Exhibitology was not able to secure permission in time to for the May 7th install and thus The State’s position is that anything that they can’t control is not allowed. Regional director of New York State Parks, Rachel Gordon has officially deemed the installation “vandalism” and has threatened to pursue the matter further stating that if the installation is not removed by Exhibitology Inc. promptly, and the sidewalk bridge returned to its original bleak condition, they will destroy it.

  • Here's the details on that silhouette mural:

    The De-Fence Project is a site-specific display that is integrated into a 300ft long wooden fence running atop a sidewalk bridge of the Empire Stores building in the Empire-Fulton State Park in Dumbo, Brooklyn. The mural is composed of 60 plywood panels attached above and below the fence utilizing the existing wooden framework. Evolving from left to right, the pattern features a variety of natural shapes, such as jellyfish, leaves, and birds.

    This project is a great example of how the unsightly can easily be made more beautiful and interesting. Donated entirely by Exhibitology Inc., a Brooklyn based design and fabrication company, it is now threatened by the hand of our state government that often forgets the everyday people it represents. But the De-Fence Project has won the hearts of Dumbo residents and the support of local business owners, such as St. Ann’s Warehouse. Many business owners have praised the project, and feel that in a challenging economy, bringing interest and creativity to our area can only help welcome potential customers. They want it to stay, especially because they will be living with this construction fence for a long time. Due to the building’s deterioration, the sidewalk bridge was erected to protect pedestrians on the sidewalk below; it is slated to be in place for the next seven years, or until repair funding is realized.

    The De-Fence Project was erected to coincide with BKLYN designs, a showcase for young Brooklyn-based designers. Due to time constraints, Exhibitology was not able to secure permission in time to for the May 7th install and thus The State’s position is that anything that they can’t control is not allowed. Regional director of New York State Parks, Rachel Gordon has officially deemed the installation “vandalism” and has threatened to pursue the matter further stating that if the installation is not removed by Exhibitology Inc. promptly, and the sidewalk bridge returned to its original bleak condition, they will destroy it.