Sculptor Charles Gaines’ monumental ‘Moving Chains’ now open on Governors Island 

The kinetic sculpture, commissioned by Creative Time, will be on view until next June

Charles Gaines has been developing The American Manifest, a series of artworks exploring and exposing the whitewashing of this country’s origin story, for nearly a decade. The first chapter, Roots, just finished its three month run in the heart of Times Square. There, seven Sweetgum trees, common in the indigenous Manhatta landscape, sprouted from the concrete upside down, roots to the sky, encouraging viewers to “dig deeper into the systems that underpin the nation’s founding and expansion.”

Now The American Manifest continues on Governors Island, with Gaines’ colossal Moving Chains, a 110-foot long, 17-foot high kinetic sculpture that evokes the hull of ship, with nine massive, 1,600-pound chains running in long loops overhead, clanking loud enough to disconcert. Walking through this monster is a powerful experience.

Scott Lynch

The location of Moving Chains is no coincidence. It looks out over New York Harbor, an important waterway for the transatlantic slave trade during the Dutch and British occupations, and the racist foundation of America itself.

Across the harbor is the Statue of Liberty, which Gaines points out was given to the United States “as a present for getting rid of slavery,” though all such references in the original design were removed long ago.

Scott Lynch

Manhattan’s Financial District is also prominent in the view from the sculpture’s site.

Scott Lynch

The exterior of Moving Chains is made from sustainably harvested Sapele, a tree native to West Africa and commonly called African Mahogany. It’s sleek and fresh-looking now, but the sculpture will be sitting here by the water for the next eight months, and will change in appearance over time.

The nine chains loop and rattle for 15 minutes, pause for five minutes, then start again. Eight of the chains run at a pace approximating the currents in the harbor, and the ninth moves faster, at about the speed of a ship. A representative of Creative Time tells Brooklyn Magazine that, except for days when the temperature drops below freezing, the chains will be operating during the work’s open hours all winter long.

Scott Lynch

Moving Chains, the second part of Charles Gaines: The American Manifest, is located on the western edge of Governors Island, at the base of Outlook Hill, and will be on view through June of 2023. The kinetic aspect of the sculpture will be in operation on Wednesday through Friday from noon to 4:30 p.m, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

By: Scott Lynch
Title: Sculptor Charles Gaines’ monumental ‘Moving Chains’ now open on Governors Island 
Sourced From: www.bkmag.com/2022/10/17/charles-gaines-moving-chains/
Published Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2022 14:40:21 +0000

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Summer Treats Bucket List: Brooklyn’s best frozen drinks, ice cream + more

Image
Brooklyn’s Best Frozen Treat? Steve’s Key Lime Pie Swingle reigns supreme. Photo: Kara Zuaro Frozen drinks, frosty desserts, and other heat-relieving treats make summer in Brooklyn sustainable. You know, sometimes we just need to take the humidity and beat it with chocolate-dipped key lime pie on a stick (a.k.a. the Swingle , pictured above). This summer, I wanted to try as many frozen treats as possible, and I’ve had so much fun pairing friends with milkshakes, parfaits, and slushies. I got a head-start, but it’s not too late to start your own Summer Treats Bucket List. Here are 11 excellent Brooklyn destinations plus 1 special spot in Queens to put on your list. Your friend is (basically) a child Few things in life provide more delight than a fish-shaped cone from Taiyaki NYC. Photo: @taiyakinyc Maybe your BFF now comes with children, or maybe your buddy is just a big ol’ baby for sundaes and sweets. Maybe you’ve got a niece or nephew, or maybe you want to do something speci
Read more

Revisiting ‘Desperate Characters’

Image
“Desperate Characters” by Paula Fox remains as relevant today as the day it was published. Photo: Meredith Craig de Pietro This story is part of our “ Brooklyn Classics ” series about famous and underappreciated books set in the borough. Paula Fox wrote Desperate Characters over 50 years ago, but the book remains as impactful now as it was then. Part of Brooklyn’s literary canon, it’s about a fraying marriage set against the backdrop of gentrification, a topic that is still front of mind for most of us living in the city as rental prices soar. The story centers on an estranged couple, Otto and Sophie Bentwood, who live in a brownstone in an unnamed neighborhood that reads as our current Boerum Hill/Cobble Hill. After a stray cat bites Sophie on the hand, she believes she may have rabies, and her throbbing, swollen wound becomes a stand-in for the changing and unsafe city around them. The Bentwoods’ world takes place in seedy, 1960s New York, a chaotic place where they’re trying
Read more

Scandinavian museum’s Bob Carlson dies at 83

Image
Bob Carlson, a member of the Scandinavian East Coast Museum, died Jan. 2 at age 83. Carlson was a familiar face at annual Bay Ridge events such as Viking Fest, Fastelavn and Embrace Winter, where he dressed in costume and organized children’s games. Museum President Victoria Hofmo said she was lucky to call Carlson her friend. Bob Carlson entertains kids at Embrace Winter. “I prefer to remember him in all his hysterical, irreverent glory,” she said on Facebook. “Skal to you our dear friend. May your journey to Valhalla be a true Celebrity Cruise. May heaven be a costume party filled with jokes, games, prizes, fun and love.” A wake will be held Jan. 5 from 3 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin & Sons Funeral Home. Bob Carlson Photo courtesy of McLaughlin & Sons The post Scandinavian museum’s Bob Carlson dies at 83 appeared first on The Brooklyn Home Reporter . By: Jaime DeJesus Title: Scandinavian museum’s Bob Carlson dies at 83 Sourced From: brookl
Read more