When picturing Central Park, personally, I picture my backyard. A juxtaposition of old and new, elderly and young, classy and edgy people inhabiting the park. A place where all walks of life unite under the luscious, leafy trees. A place that welcomes all and forces all to fall in love with her. While choosing an exhibition to attend, I knew it had to somehow, in some way connect to New York City. One of the things I love most about this city is its amalgam of art, yet its relevance to its residence. So, I made the trek uptown, to the Museum of the City of New York, met my mom, and were we in for a treat.
Originally, we planned viewing the exhibition titled “Picturing Central Park.” An exhibition exhibiting Artist Janet Ruttenberg’s love affair with Central Park. While climbing the steps to the museum though, we were greeted by two graffiti artists, Chris “Daze” Ellis and Lady Pink, legendary street artists who were painting original murals alongside the courtyard to the museum. What immediately stuck me was the blending of old and new I was witnessing. The museum, a landmark of the City, meshing with the newness and edginess of graffiti. Young artists, those exhibiting a sense of freeness and creativity, were now decorating what seems to be a structure pertaining to the upper class, an elegant and upstanding building.
While continuing up the steps to the Museum, and entering the building, these Buddhism ideals (of meshing the old with the news) still hearkened with me as I entered the Ruttenberg exhibit. Ruttenberg, a wealthy widow, has been painting the Central Park landscape for over fifteen years. Never thinking of commissioning or exhibiting her work, Ruttenberg painted as a hobby. However, as time passed her daughter in law convinced her otherwise and her work is currently on view at The Museum of the City of New York. Each of her works being unique. A combination of mixed medias-photographs, watercolors, acrylics, with spots of mud, dirt and rain are present in all. Ruttenberg focuses on the statues of Shakespeare on the Mall and General Sherman in Grand Army Plaza, highlighting their historical significance, while placing tattooed woman, homeless men, and lower-class children in the foreground of her paintings. What struck me here was again this contrast of ideals-Ruttenberg associating New York City’s conventional inhabitants with a park that was once only associated with aristocrats. By doing so, Ruttenberg highlights the beauty and uniqueness in each individual, which overall contributes to the ultimate beauty of the park. With her art, Ruttenberg breaks free of past molds-she exemplifies the importance of questioning conventions, another Enlightenment ideal.
All in all, my visit to the museum was most enjoyable and I would highly recommend it. Ruttenberg, as well as the graffiti artists portray Central Park in a new light–one that includes all walks of life, and all members of the melting pot of our city.
Museum of City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd Street)
New York, NY 10029
