Joel Meyerowitz: Legacy: The Preservation of Wilderness in New York City Parks

You may know by now, if you follow this blog, that I'm madly in love with New York City. Right? There are so many reasons why I love you, New York. Sure, sometimes you chew me up and spit me out and make me feel like a tiny, little thing but on most days you build me up, make me feel good, support me and inspire me. I feel lucky to live here and today is one of those days when I feel particularly lucky.

Thanks to this blog I get invited to lots of events (yay, me!) and I'm going to one tonight that I feel very excited about: A special gallery walk and artist presentation at the The Museum of the City of New York. From now through March 21st the Museum of the City of New York presents Legacy: The Preservation of Wilderness in New York City Parks showcasing the work of photographer Joel Meyerowitz, who has spent more than three years recording wild places in New York City's parks. The gallery walk will be given by no other that Joel Meyerowitz himself with a special lecture regarding the collection after the walk. To say I am excited would be a major understatement.

Located in all five boroughs, these escapes to the woodlands, streams, waterfronts, marshes, and beaches are among the city's greatest assets, yet they are hidden in plain sight. These wild areas, which have been left or returned to their natural state through the city’s “Forever Wild” initiative, include the craggy highlands of Manhattan, the sea-facing marshes of Brooklyn, the rocky, Maine-like coastline of the Bronx, and the nearly impenetrable forests of Queens and Staten Island. Through his photographs, Meyerowitz transports the viewer into the heart of a lush wilderness, while portraying pockets of nature as an inextricable part of city life today.

Legacy is part of a larger project that was initiated in 2006, when Meyerowitz was asked by Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe to photograph the 29,000 acres maintained and protected by the New York City park system. When completed, the project will constitute the first extended documentation of New York’s parks since the 1930s, when they were photographed for Franklin Roosevelt’s WPA program.







If you're in New York, you should definitely check out this exhibit before it's over. Do it! You'll like it. The Museum of the City of New York is located at 1220Fifth Avenue.



Today's Soundtrack:
The Shins-Girl Inform Me
I've had this song in my head for over a week now. I love it but I need something else to sing in the shower...

All images and text inspiration here and here.

All images Copyright Joel Meyerowitz.