An exhibit curated by: Angeles G., Theodore G., Patricia P., & Danielle S.
Curator’s Note
Tranquility in the city that never sleeps: The idea itself seems counterintuitive. If it never sleeps, never turns off the lights, never stops the noise on the street, how can there be any tranquility in it? This exhibit explores the idea of a break from the busyness of the Big Apple through parks in New York City. Although some calmness and rest are necessary for any Big City function, now more than ever, as people begin their return to normality after the COVID lockdowns, the value of taking a literal breath of fresh air increases.
The Museum of Us highlights the experiences of Macaulay Honors students at Baruch College in recovering from the lockdowns and observing the cultural and political issues of today. An element that must not be overlooked in this recovery process, and even in the process of observation, is taking a break. Being located in New York City, arguably the city with the most stressful atmosphere, taking a break for students can be tough. This exhibit brings to light the calming elements that exist even in a city like New York.
After being locked up for over a year, many city dwellers, particularly students, have forgotten what it feels like to physically go to school or work every day and actually exercise the brain. With the pressure suddenly back after more than a year, it can be a difficult adjustment to make. As students, along with most of the professional realm, stress about meeting deadlines, staying focused, and staying awake amidst the seemingly non-stop energy of New York City, it is vital for them to have someplace to go to take a break, to unwind, and to relax, even if it’s only for a number of minutes. The parks that are scattered all over New York City give students this opportunity.
The curators behind Tranquility in the City that Never Sleeps hope to show students how calming certain parts of the city can really be through photographs of a variety of parks and a soundtrack of noises that anyone might hear upon stepping into one of these parks and away from the loud city streets. The exhibit includes photographs from large parks such as Central Park and The Highline in Manhattan and Kissena Park in Queens. They also include parks that are much smaller and can be explored within a small amount of time such as Little Island and Madison Square Park. One photograph is of a small neighborhood in Queens that serves as a park through its unique style and greenery. In observing the photographs, students should be able to feel the tranquility almost jump off the image and into them as the curators felt when they took and found these photographs. They should be encouraged to visit the parks themselves in order to catch an escape from the brightness and loud noise that accompanies living in a city that never sleeps.
Troy Heffron
Thank you for sharing Angelese, Danielle, Patricia, & Theodore, ! Madison Square Park has definitely been a de-stressor for me while at Baruch.