This past weekend was artistically notable for having three different open studio events in Brooklyn — Greenpoint, Gowanus, and Crown Heights — but it was also pretty significant since the first-ever Nuit Blanche event in New York, titled Bring to Light, took place in Greenpoint … sorry Gowanus and Crown Heights, you’ll have to wait for yours.
Nuit Blanche may be new to New Yorkers but the global phenomenon began in 1997. Today, there are Nuit Blanche and Nuit Blanche-like events that regularly take place around the world, including — to name only a few — Toronto (which had theirs the same night as the New York event), Berlin, Paris, and Lima, Peru.
On Saturday night, the heavily policed event took place along Oak and Noble Streets, between West and Franklin Streets. Dozens of artists and organizations took part and the result was impressive. The atmosphere was relaxed and the beautiful weather encouraged people to linger and take in the vibrant colors all around.
From building-scale projections to human-scaled art installations, there was something for everyone. Here is a taste of the sights on display.
A large building — thanks to Ryan Uzilevsky — becomes a canvas of light as leafy forms, birds, and other designs transformed the structure.
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A series of projections and sculptures along Noble Street.
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Festival attendees share their thoughts via chalk on a truck decked out for the occasion.
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More festival goers add their two cents to the side of the truck.
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A view of the projection on a building, though — even looking at the festival guide — it’s not clear whose work this is.
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A translucent mirror piece that created the illusion that someone else’s head was transposed on your body. I think this is Morgan Freeman’s “Dreamscape” (2010).
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Looking towards Jonathan Durham’s “Crash and Burrow” (2010) on a handball court.
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The Gym Park was transformed into a disco-themed trampoline space. Guests had to remove their shoes to partake in the fun.
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A view of Jason Eppink’s “Twenty-First Century Bonfire” (2010).
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A blinged out bike attracts some attention. [A commenter informs us that the bike, known as Discobike is part of Justin Riley’s “The Adventures of Discobike!” (2010).]
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From the street it wasn’t always sure what was inside but the light shows definitely attracted attention.
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For more photos from New York’s Nuit Blanche, visit here and here.
For the record, I’m pretty sure that uncredited warehouse projection above is Chris Jordan’s. He’s great!
the blinged out bike is Justin Riley’s DiscoBike
justinriley.info/Interactive/TheAdventuresofDiscobike.htm