New Art Installation Chosen For East Harlem Park

EAST HARLEM, NY — East Harlem's Thomas Jefferson Park is getting a new public art installation for the second year in a row.

Japanese-born artist Harumi Ori has been chosen to receive a $10,000 grant to create a public art installation for the park on First Avenue and East 113th Street. The grant was awarded through a partnership between the city Parks Department and the clothing brand UNIQLO, which was announced in September of 2016.

"We are pleased to continue our wonderful partnership with UNIQLO which has generously contributed to our vital public art program," Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver said in a statement. "This funding brings public art to ten culturally underserved parks, and supports local emerging artists in our communities. All of the projects chosen correspond to their specific sites, adding a personal connection between each park and its work of art."

Ori will use photographs she has taken of people in Thomas Jefferson Park as inspiration to create a new piece in her sculpture series "I am here," according to the city Parks Department. Ori will fold and sew orange industrial mesh into a three-dimensional sculpture depicting several parkgoers and their surroundings.

Ten parks, two from each borough, were chosen to receive public art installations as part of the "UNIQLO Park Expressions" program. Each artist chosen by the program will receive a $10,000 grant to create their public art pieces. One round of artists had their work featured in 2017 and another round was selected for 2018.

Harlem native Capucine Bourcart displayed her installation "LINUOQ" in Thomas Jefferson Park in 2017 as part of the grant program.

Thomas Jefferson Park was opened in 1905, when East Harlem was known as "Little Italy." Since it's opening, the parks has undergone transformations, along with the neighborhood. In the 1930s the park received a large expansion and in the 1990s the current pool and recreation center were renovated in a $10.5 million project, according to the Parks Department.

Rendering courtesy NYC Parks Department/Harumi Ori