Jason Evans, an architect at Ashley McGraw Architects and the man behind the (re)Think Syracuse blog, recently spoke to the Syracuse New Times about a temporary art installation titled ‘Flowscape’ located in Perseverance Park in downtown Syracuse (South Salina Street between West Washington and Fayette Streets).
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Intended to inspire the public to help brainstorm ideas for the future of the park, ‘Flowscape’ was commissioned by the Downtown Committee, with support from the City of Syracuse’s Department of Public Works, the Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning Agency and the Public Arts Commission. George Curry, distinguished teaching professor emeritus at SUNY-ESF served as a co-designer/mentor for the project.
Merike Treier, Executive Director of the Downtown Committee, believes the project gives new life to the area and is optimistic to where it may lead.
“‘Flowscape’ is a visible sign of progress in the heart of Downtown Syracuse,” Treier said. “We hope this park facelift will spur the public to view the park in a new way and to inspire them to share their ideas of what they’d like to see there in the future.”
While the City of Syracuse plans to create a long-term solution for the park in the next 24 months, the public can help brainstorm ideas for the coming redesign using Twitter: @parkpotential or by emailing [email protected].
Mayor of Syracuse, Stephanie Minor, shares in Treiers’ positive attitude toward the new initiative.
“As we collectively try to create a new and unique urban space at the this site, I am pleased to welcome this new installation,” Minor said. “Creating dynamic art in public spaces for all Syracusans to enjoy is important to making our community more vibrant every day. I thank George Curry and Jason Evans for their hard work.”
Adria Finch, also of the Downtown Committee, had recently attended an international downtown association conference where a panel talked about inexpensive but fun fixes for downtown spaces.
“We thought this would be a great opportunity to really take advantage and change this space,” Finch said.
The vibrant blue and white design seen in ‘Flowscape’ was created by using traffic paint.
“We wanted to use traffic paint so it would be durable and hold up for the next year,” Evans said. “Our primary choices there were white, the center line yellow that you see in the streets and then a handicap blue. [‘Flowscape’] is actually a mix of 50/50 white and handicap blue to try to create a color that pops. The white lines build off of the primary diagonal [that exists in the space].”
Just the Facts:
Flowscape
at Perseverance Park (South Salina Street between West Washington and Fayette Streets)
Submit your ideas for the future of the park
Twitter: @parkpotential
Email: [email protected]
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Jason Evans and Adria Finch stand on ‘Flowscape’ located in downtown Syracuse. Photo by Ty Marshal | Syracuse New Times
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