Key to the City attendees go down the red carpet for the key ceremonyKey to the City is a summer cultural hunt in all 5 boroughs of New York City by artist Paul Ramirez Jonas presented by Creative Time. The public art project’s sites are searchable though September 6, 2010.
The treasured Key to the CityBeing presented a key to the city is bestowed on visiting dignitaries, celebrities or heroes giving access or the symbolism of ownership. Ramirez borrows the cultural custom and extends the privilege to everyone.
In Ramirez’s view, acts of kindness are performed in our everyday interaction deserving recognition and the project is a summer gift to all New Yorkers and tourists who love investigating and learning secrets of the city.
To receive the treasured key, you must be inducted through the ceremony after a considerable wait in line in the heart of Times Square. Bringing a companion might promise the time to go swiftly, but the surprise of a chance meeting might intrigue you more. You also need a partner to participate in the ceremonies or the event planners will pair up single attendees.
Key to the City passportAlong with the key is the passport where both names will be recorded and lists all the city destinations available throughout the summer. And at the heart of the public art piece is the reason that two friends or strangers would bestow and give each other their keys.
I’ve just started embarking on the adventure and will update Sparked and share my discoveries.
Visit the Creative Time website for all the project’s details and future events.
Key to the City participants receiving the ceremony instructions
Waiting in line for the Key to the City in front of the neon flag in Times Square
Simply great idea to take in the variety of interesting sights in the city.Keep us informed of the route it takes you.
[...] language expressed on the paper tags. This event concluded the summer of participatory art from Key to the City, P.S.1 Pole Dance, to I Wish Your Wish engaging the public of making art. Yoko Ono’s Wish [...]