Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

A Wooden Baby Birthed in Fort Greene Park Kicks Off Artober

By Janet Upadhye | October 2, 2012 12:49pm

FORT GREENE — Six hundred blocks of Douglas Fir wood sculpted in the shape of a baby have been erected in Fort Greene Park.

As part of Myrtle Avenue’s Artober, 'Tomorrow' by Akihiro Ito “illustrates the harmony between humans and their natural surroundings, and reminds us of the importance of preserving our environment,” according to the artist.

And the baby? A reminder that future generations will either benefit or suffer from the environmental choices we make today.

Ito’s sculpture was chosen from a pool of nearly 20 proposals. The panel of community members, artists and art professionals chose the sculpture because they thought it would have impact on passers-by and because they believed in the message.

“Wood is environmentally friendly as it emits no pollutants, is a familiar resource that has been utilized for millennia, and instills feelings of warmth, serenity, and relief in people,” Ito said about his work. “Nowadays, we are facing serious environmental problems such as global warming, waste and resource depletion. We have to preserve nature and save our earth for our future generations and for all living beings.

"Tomorrow" is just the beginning of the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership’s first annual Artober that celebrates art and the emerging artists of Fort Greene.

Throughout the month community members will be able to see several public arts displays, window art in Myrtle Avenue business windows, and newly installed tree guards designed by local artists. There will also be artists talks, photography exhibitions and a larger scale mural under the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.

“There are a lot of artists living on the north side of Fort Greene,” said Meredith Phillips Almeida, the Partnership’s deputy director. “This month is about recognizing Fort Greene as an emerging artist community."

For a full list of Artober happenings, check out the events flyer.