THIS IS NEWARK! opens at Aljira

apr 8–18 2009

THIS IS NEWARK - Gateway Urban Design Exhibition 
The City of Newark
Aljira: A Center of Contemporary Art
591 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
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The City of Newark Division of Planning & Community Development and Aljira: A Center for Contemporary Art are pleased to present THIS IS NEWARK, an exhibition of proposals for marking the points of arrival to Newark and addressing the history and culture of Newark in the urban landscape.

Closing Reception
Friday, April 17, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM

Roundtable Discussion
Saturday, April 18, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM

   
Gallery Hours
Wednesday–Friday       12:00 PM–6:00 PM
Saturday       11:00 PM–4:00 PM

The City of Newark, New Jersey — the largest city in the most densely populated state — is exploring design strategies for a series of permanent installations to mark points of arrival to the city, from its train stations and airports to local streets and highway off-ramps. The goal of marking these “gateways” is to strengthen the visual and spatial identity of the city, to question deeply held perceptions, to capitalize on its deep, dramatic, and fiercely proud history, and to better register in the built environment the energy, spirit, and steadfastness that is Newark.

The Gateway Design Initiative will explore possibilities for this project through soliciting contributions of design ideas from a broad range of artists and designers. Participants are encouraged to raise a wide range of issues and to propose design strategies that expand and amplify the discussion of the relationship between Newark’s identity and built environment. Teams are challenged to produce design schemes that provide compelling, inventive, spirited, and even extreme interpretations of the design challenge posed here. We invite a range of proposals from the feasible to the most experimental.

click here for more information
click here to see SCAPE + MTWTF's proposal