Long Island City Partnership Debuts Its Fall Art Series LIC (Re)Connects
The organization's latest program brings color and excitement to its Court Square district
Long Island City, New York (November 16, 2021) – Long Island City Partnership (LICP) today unveiled its latest art series LIC (Re)Connects at “The Ribbon,” an interactive dual-site installation featuring “LIC Love Notes'' submitted by neighborhood enthusiasts. Commissioned projects from the series also include a construction-site mural by celebrated graffiti artist Queen Andrea (“Floral Festivity”), a 760-foot multi-panel mural along the Thomson Avenue Bridge (“Unity and Diversity") and a collection of instagram filters (“Dichroic Vessels”) that correspond with “The Ribbon”. The projects were created to enliven the local streetscape and encourage excitement as residents, office workers and visitors return to the community. LICP is the neighborhood development organization for LIC and commissions various art projects throughout the year.
“LIC (Re)Connects is our own love letter to the people of LIC. Conceived by Queens artists, fabricated by an LIC manufacturer, and showcasing the people that have kept our neighborhood strong during unprecedented times,” said Elizabeth Lusskin, president of Long Island City Partnership. “The projects are a testament to the spirit, ingenuity and cross-pollination uniquely found in LIC. As neighbors return to their homes, kids return to school, visitors rediscover our museums and workers head back to the office, we encourage everyone to take a moment to enjoy this public art that brightens our streetscape.”
An Interactive Arts Project Celebrating LIC
“The Ribbon” was erected across two public spaces in the central Court Square area to engage everyone from curious children to workers on their lunch break. Each location features two magenta structures with rotating iridescent panels inscribed with “LIC Love Notes” submitted by local residents, visitors, and workers that will be continually added through December or until all 100 panels are filled. Five smaller LIC Sidewalk Signs embodying the design and color scheme of “The Ribbon” were also produced and are placed in nearby tree pits.
LIC-based placemaking and design firm Hive Public Space created "The Ribbon" in collaboration with The Urban Conga, a New York-based design studio specializing in projects that inspire “open ended play”. It was fabricated and installed by LIC-based manufacturing firm Boyce Technologies, further highlighting the collaboration within the neighborhood’s uniquely mixed-use community. The installation in Rafferty Triangle was installed in partnership with NYC Parks. The One Court Square installation was implemented in partnership with building owner Savanna.
“The power of public spaces during this pandemic has crystallized the importance of our work,” said Alexandra Gonzalez, president of Hive Public Space, which produced and managed “The Ribbon,” “Floral Festivity” and “Dichroic Vessels” projects. Gonzalez works with organizations around the world looking to transform public spaces. “With ‘The Ribbon’ we wanted to combine play with storytelling for this piece, and do it in a way that felt inclusive to the diverse inhabitants of LIC,” Gonzalez said.
The public is encouraged to submit their own “LIC Love Notes” through December 31; details are available online via on-site QR codes. “The Ribbon” is located across sites at One Court Square Plaza and Rafferty Triangle at the crossroads of major thoroughfares Jackson Avenue and 44th Drive. The art will remain installed through 2022.
When AR Meets IG
Hive Public Space and digital artist Alexis Zerafa created an instagram filter called “Dichroic Vessels” as a virtual extension of “The Ribbon”. The filter features floating vessels and whimsical iridescent colors that create a mirage-like effect, inspired by the constant transformation and flow of the neighborhood. The selfie version of the filter features a similar iridescent color scheme. “Dichroic Vessels” also links the project to social media and AR technology, both which play an increasing role in the planning and development of cities.
A Construction Site Comes to Life
Created by heralded graffiti artist and graphic designer Andrea Von Budjoss (a.k.a Queen Andrea), “Floral Festivity'' beautifies a large construction fence located at 27-01 Jackson Avenue. The mural features fiery floral designs and bright flowing shapes, converting an eyesore into an energizing backdrop. "I love neighborhoods like LIC that are true cross-sections of the vibrant diversity and endless possibilities that make New York City the best city in the world," said Queen Andrea. The project was organized in partnership with site owner Lions Group.
A Crossing of Color Along the Thomson Avenue Bridge
LICP commissioned a large-scale mural to cover the overpass of the Thomson Avenue Bridge, which connects the neighborhood over the 180-acre Sunnyside Yard. Designed by LIC-based visual artist No Cap, "Unity and Diversity" depicts the people of Queens, the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world, through a colorful and dynamic intertwining pattern. The phrase “We Are the World” is spelled out within the design in a variety of the borough’s most commonly spoken languages.
The project was presented in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation’s Art Program and initiated by Kristin Jefferson, a fine arts professor at LaGuardia Community College (LaGCC). Professor Jefferson, along with her students, played an instrumental role in determining the project’s general theme and selecting the artist to adapt their vision.
“Reclaiming spaces for beautiful public art projects is increasingly important to all New Yorkers,” said visual artist No Cap. “The Thomson Avenue bridge is like a gateway to Long Island City, particularly for the students and faculty at LaGuardia Community College. The colorful braiding of the mural design commands the attention of passersby, and I hope will become instantly recognizable to all those who
view it.”
All projects are funded by LICP, with additional support from City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “Unity and Diversity” is supported by LIC-based decorative authority Janovic, which provided paint and other materials.
“Winding through central meeting spaces in Long Island City, ‘The Ribbon’ greets us with personal messages that inspire community, congregation and conversation. This is particularly necessary as we fight our way out of the toughest 18 months ever,” said Charles Boyce, president of Boyce Technologies. “The great appreciation for the neighborhood, which underpins this project and is evidenced by the ‘LIC Love Notes’, is shared by the team at Boyce. It is a wonderful feeling we get as a design and engineering company when we meander away from our regular work and contribute to something that impacts the personal lives of people within our community.”
“‘The Ribbon’ becomes an open-ended playable opportunity that invites the LIC community to engage with the work, the space, and each other in new ways,” said Ryan Swanson, president of The Urban Conga.
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About Long Island City Partnership
Long Island City Partnership (LICP) is the neighborhood development organization for Long Island City. Their mission is to advocate for economic development that benefits the area’s industrial, commercial, tech, cultural, tourism, and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to LIC, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. LICP also operates the LIC Business Improvement District and LIC Industrial Business Zone (LIC IBZ), providing business services and assistance.