Constellation: A Land Art Project in the Hudson Valley

Join the APA Arts & Culture Subcommittee [http://www.nyplanning.org/committee/urban-design-committee/] and the Urban Design Forum [http://urbandesignforum.org] for a unique tour of Constellation [http://melissamcgillconstellation.com/] on Bannerman Island in the HUDSON RIVER. In its final season, this light-based land art PROJECT TRANSECTS STORYTELLING, historic preservation, and perseverance by an individual artist. Melissa McGill’s CONSTELLATION, installed around the perimeter of Bannerman castle ruins, consists of 17 points of solar-lights on top of aluminum poles that slowly light one by one as the sun sets, and hover above the island for two hours before fading into the night. McGill’s sensitive constellation artwork accentuates ideas of absence versus presence, and aims to mark a path between past and present, light and darkness, heaven and earth, and two shores of the river.  The PROJECT REVITALIZES THE SITE KNOWN FOR ITS ADVENTUROUS AND STORIED HISTORY, from the time when the Native American Lenape tribe occupied the area, and their belief that the stars of the Opi Temakan (“White Road” or “Milky Way”) link our world with the next; to the turn of the 20th century, when Francis Bannerman, an eccentric arms dealer, built a fantastical castle on the island, stuffing it full of armor, cannons and gunpowder- until it exploded and caught fire, leaving the ruin we see today. Located near Dia: Beacon, Storm King Art Center, Newburgh's Atlas Studios, and the new Magazzino, Constellation furthers the Hudson Valley’s reputation as one of the world’s finest places to experience large-scale contemporary art. BOAT TOUR & SITE VISIT The cruise to Bannerman Island will depart at 6pm and will be accompanied by the artist Melissa McGill. On the island, you will embark on a guided walking tour and learn about both CONSTELLATION AND THE HISTORY OF THE SITE. After the island tour, we’ll board the boat again to view CONSTELLATION FROM THE WATER, and experience the starry lights emerge one by one with the stars of the night sky. The stars emerge over 15 minutes and stay lit for 2 hours each evening. On our return trip to the dock, enjoy CONSTELLATION SET AGAINST THE SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE HUDSON HIGHLANDS FJORD, which inspired the HUDSON RIVER SCHOOL PAINTERS. Please wear comfortable shoes as there is some rough terrain on the walking tour portion of the experience. There is a 72-step climb from the dock to the start of the tour. BOAT LEAVES AT 6PM SHARP, SO PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE BY 5:45PM. This tour is organized by APA Arts & Culture Subcommittee and Urban Design Forum. Financial assistance is available and is provided by APA NY Metro Chapter. Email apa.artsculture@gmail.com for discount code if you require financial assistance to attend. #apaartsculture  Photo courtesy of Melissa McGill. For more information visit, http://melissamcgillconstellation.com/ [http://melissamcgillconstellation.com/]