Why Love NY

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My office is in Times Square. If you don’t live in New York, you probably imagine that working in the heart of the city would be exhilarating, and it was the first few days on the job. Those of you who frequent the area know better. The thought of navigating the throngs of tourists during rush hour can make you want to stab yourself in the eyes.

Before you do, have a look at Raul Vincent Enriquez’s new public art project I in the Sky.

I in the Sky comprises a street-level photo-booth at the chashama gallery paired with the Condé Nast Lumacom electronic display sign. The Lumacom will broadcast digital portraits taken by photo-booth visitors that have been animated by Enriquez to resemble flip-book images. The process will take about 20 minutes and is free of charge.

Enriquez’s exhibition began appearing on the Times Square Lumacom about two weeks ago and runs through April 26th. When the Lumacom isn’t unnecessarily obstructing the views of underprivileged Condé Nasties it displays a sequence of various faces, animated using Enriquez’s “special technique” (the secret — his camera steals your soul). The result can be jarring, amusing and sometimes downright frightening. Have a look for yourself.

Scariest. Burrito. Ever.

“I find portraits to be a timeless and accessible art form”, said Enriquez. “In each portrait, several photos are sequenced and animated, framed to create the impression of extreme eye contact. My goal is to make provocative art that captures viewers”.

I told you they were watching. If you’d like to get in on the action, you can have your photo taken every Thursday through Saturday from 12-8pm at chashama (112 W 44th St, between 6th and 7th Ave).

A monitor in the chashama studio displays even more examples of Enriquez’s technique. You may want to put your children to bed before viewing the following clip.

If you don’t have a view of the Lumacom from your office, they suggest that I in the Sky and the Lumacom are best seen in Manhattan on 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, and 9th Avenue at 44th Street. The portraits are also viewable from the New Jersey side of the Hudson.

chashama
112 W 44th St (between 6th and 7th Ave)
http://www.chashama.org

[More Video of I in the Sky - YouTube]