Thursday, September 19, 2013

Illustrating Global Sea Level Rise With Benches: "The Gowanus Rising Bench Project"

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If you haven't walked over the Union Street Bridge near Hoyt Street in the last few days, you may not yet have seen a row of wooden benches that are part of a very cool project by Raft, a "Brooklyn-based circle of builders and gardeners."
The project consists of seven benches which have been painted gradually in blue to illustrate how global sea level rise will affect the canal area.
Here is some additional information from Raft:
"The Gowanus area is a naturals saltwater marshland. Its banks have been built up with concrete embankments over the past hundred years.  During severe storms, the banks flood over these walls and into the surrounding streets.Global sea levels are expected to rise at least fifteen inches by the year 2050.Assembled, the benches will stand fifteen tall and will be installed on the western side of the Union Street thoroughfare between Nevins and Bond Street.  The Gowanus Rising Bench Project is designed and built out of discarded wood floors from the Meeker Avenue Flea Market in Greenpoint by Raft, a Brooklyn-based circle of builders and gardeners.The original piece was inspired by the remains of a bench left as trash on a Gowanus sidewalk. Each bench will be sponsored by a local business or individual who is committed to the responsible future development of the Gowanus neighborhood."
If you would like more information on the project or would like to sponsor a bench, leave your email address in a binder next to the installation at Union Street between the canal and Hoyt Street.

Also, at the same location, artist  Anne Deleporte has painted a mural entitled "Wet Water". Against a light blue background, Deleporte has added a series of incredibly whimsical images.  More detail here:  Showroom Gowanus

So don't miss walking across the Union Street Bridge past "The Rising Bench Project" and "Wet Water."

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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

what if the benches get swept away by the rising sea level? it doesn't get much dumber than this..

Gowanus Resident said...

I hope they do not get up to 15 ft high - that's a drag for open views and vistas. And is it permanent? hope not.

Agnes said...

Do the people who want to install the benches have a permit to do so? Isn't that public property? that's a long span of sidewalk they are talking up? And it in essence creates a corridor for pedestrians - no out - would hate to be stuck in that often scary part of Gowanus. I like to be able to cross the street to the other side if I feel it might be a smart move to do so. Well-meaning though it may be, it gives no consideration to community's welfare and it is also going to be a bit ugly to boot. Better to have done this on private property.

Anonymous said...

wouldn't you think that installing green infrastructure to help control stormwater would be a better idea than these benches??

Anonymous said...

Not a lot of art lovers around PMFA, huh?

Jim said...

Just jogged by the blue fence. 80% of the images have been obscured by yet another mentally challenged gang banger's tag.

Katia said...

Oh, no. That is too bad. That is such a fun mural.