I remember how this wonderful sculpture was presented and then violated destroyed. Art has that kind of power. To invoke fear, joy, curiosity or a feeling of loss. Created by Scherezade Garcia, a graduate student at the time. She was attending City College of New York’s MFA program. Installed on what is now called the James Baldwin Lawn, this sculpture  sat  beautifully along 135th Street near St. Nicholas Avenue inside the park.

Haters destroyed the work in the middle of the night with sledgehammers. But we celebrate its spirit. Read what the artist envisioned.

Scherezade Garcia

The piece I propose for this project is inspired by the history, and geography of the park. Geographically, the park is defined of one of Harlem’s ribbons parks. The park is sandwiched between St. Nicholas Ave. on the East and St. Nicholas Terrace, which takes the curving ridge on the West. Also, Harlem is divided in three ribbons; East Harlem, Central Harlem, and West Harlem, taking in consideration all these factors, I have selected to create three wooden ribbons, representing these three Harlems.

These wooden sculptural ribbons are different but connected, holding an independent conversation as the three Harlem’s do. I intend to achieve this concept by varying the dimension on the heights and lengths of the ribbons. I chose wood as the material for this project, as a way to represent the bones of a green space, a green space in the middle of a lively urban neighborhood.

Historically, the site was an outpost for George Washington troops during the Battle of Harlem Heights in 1776. Samuel Parsons designed the park in 1906. St. Nicholas was a beloved neighborhood green space for decades, until its condition deteriorated in the 70’s caused by the city fiscal crisis. Later on, during the 1990’s there was the renovation of the park playground and the presences of a gardener in the park. Between the year 2000 and 2009, the Department of park and recreation spent more than 3 millions dollars renovating the paths, steps, and sidewalks. All these events will be “carved out” on the wood of my ribbons. I chose to “carved out” these events, as a way to allude to what lives on the park skin, the same way we  carved out our names on trees.

I also would like my viewer to feel that my piece is inspired by and belongs to the park; in addition, it will serve as an educational piece, by encouraging curiosity to find out, and learn more about the historical events that shaped the life story of the St. Nicholas Park.

I intent to install the piece on the front lawn since this location provide an open space, more visible to public viewing, and interaction.

Materials; wiggle wood, metal cables.

Size; each ribbon 12 feet long, length of sculpture is variable according to the composition, 36 feet long approximately.

Ribbon 1– 5 feet high

Ribbon 2-4 1/2 feet high

Ribbon 3– 4 ¾ feet high

Installation; use of metal stakes and rebars push down to the ground.; wiggle wood, metal cables.