A Chorus, a Renaissance style silent composition of a very Times Square scene: a crowd of New Yorkers pausing to witness something captivating yet unnamed. Featuring over 180 individuals, the artwork draws a frame around the notion of community and the shared experiences that make up daily life in a post-pandemic New York City.
“How does a city heal from being separated for so long, when so much of its interactions are in person, face to face? I created this idea after waiting for my first train ride post-pandemic. It was beautiful to see faces again, to see people smile and scream and cry on the subway. I wanted to capture this feeling of beauty and anxiety.” — ITP Faculty Member Gabriel Barcia-Colombo
Within the artwork, some observers stand in contemplative thought while others snap photos of the awe-inspiring subject, intentionally omitted from the screen. Are these individuals merely observing the plaza below, or are they participating in something sublime, confounding, or even disturbing? Evocative of a Greek chorus, which comments on collective hopes, fears and joys, A Chorus turns the tables on the dynamic between spectacle and audience. Moreover, it serves as a reflection on the barometers of social connection, often overshadowed by our mobile devices and technological distractions.
"A Chorus" is taking over the majority of screens in Times Square every night for the month of May from 11:57pm-Midnight.
The exhibit opened on Friday, May 10th featuring a live performance by the experimental choir, Eklmeles.