First we take Glasgow, London, Berlin then New York...

Turner Prize winning artist Susan Philipsz has been selected to create a piece of permanent public art on Governors Island, The Trust for Governors Island announced. Philipsz was chosen by The Trust through the City’s Percent for Art Program. Percent for Art is a commissioning program that integrates permanent works of art into publicly funded capital projects through an equitable artist selection process.Philipsz’s commission will be the first work in an ongoing public art program opening with the new park and public spaces in 2013.

Susan Phillipsz - left

“Through Percent for Art, the City aims to integrate high quality art into the urban landscape and grant the public access to dynamic cultural experiences outside of traditional settings,” said Sara Reisman, Director of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art Program.

“The selection of Susan Philipsz for a permanent art commission on Governors Island is the result of a thoughtful proposal to provide New Yorkers and visitors with unique, engaging artwork for generations to come.

Susan Philipsz was born in Glasgow, Scotland and currently works and lives in Berlin. She was recognized in 2010 with the prestigious Turner Prize, a contemporary art award that is given annually to a British artist under 50 for an outstanding work or exhibition. Her work has appeared at the Melbourne International Biennale, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, the Guggenheim Museum in New York City and on Governors Island as a part of Creative Time’s “Plot 09: This World and Nearer Ones” exhibition in 2009. Her work investigates the spatial and emotive properties of sound, and has been described as “sculptural.” She is best known for sound projections of her own intimate, unaccompanied renditions of popular songs into public spaces. While many of Philipsz’s installations have been temporary in nature, her work on Governors Island will be permanent.

"I am excited to announce this commission as the first piece in a new commissioning program on Governors Island,” said Trust for Governors Island board chair Ronay Menschel. “Under the creative leadership of curator Tom Eccles, the Island will be the setting for a series of unique long term works that will open to the public in conjunction with the new park spaces.” Eccles is the Executive Director of Bard College’s Center for Curatorial Studies and former Director of the Public Art Fund. Future art commissions will be privately funded as a part of this program. “Governors Island is an incredible place in which to create and experience art,” said Tom Eccles. “Susan Philipsz is an outstanding artist who will create work that will enrich the experience of Island visitors.”

Philipsz’s work will be completed in 2013. The artist has not yet selected site(s) for her work.

Posted by MMac