Queens 2020 Time Capsule
2020 has been a tumultuous year, to say the least. Often, we hear people mentioning that this moment is a "once in a lifetime"experience. The Queens Public Library, Queens Memory Project, Culture Lab LIC and LIC-Artists are collaborating to sponsor this Time Capsule which will digitally document objects submitted by Queens residents as representing the conditions in Queens during the first half of 2020.
In 10 years, what would you like to remember from 2020? This digital record will live on in the Queens Library archives forever. Become a part of Queens permanent recorded history.
Topiary Rabbit, 2020
Andrew Wheatley
Digital collage
7 x 9"
Digital collage
7 x 9"
Ivanna Larrosa
This piece belongs to my first home made science fiction movie that I made during the quarantine time. It’s a compilation of uncanny dreams and multiple characters I have met during this time.
If you look closely to the landscape you will discover the presence of my breast ultrasound connecting with the outer space and calling out a space monkey for help from Gantry Park.
The return of Fargam is based on a real monkey called Fargam that was put into space by Iran in 2013.
If you look closely to the landscape you will discover the presence of my breast ultrasound connecting with the outer space and calling out a space monkey for help from Gantry Park.
The return of Fargam is based on a real monkey called Fargam that was put into space by Iran in 2013.
Ivanna Larrosa
This photograph was taken at my partner’s apartment. We met 3 weeks before the quarantine time and we decided to shelter in place together. I limit myself to take a photograph a day only in the bedroom and I wrote this text:
In the architecture of my dreams, I can't find refuge, I can't find a map.
My waking life is fraught – fear and convalescence pervade the day.
Those same emotions make respite at night elusive.
Skin comes off my hands, I am afraid to touch something.
If I touch you, I could loss your reality.
In the architecture of my dreams, I can't find refuge, I can't find a map.
My waking life is fraught – fear and convalescence pervade the day.
Those same emotions make respite at night elusive.
Skin comes off my hands, I am afraid to touch something.
If I touch you, I could loss your reality.
Yvonne Shortt
Click image to view slide show
Yvonne Short
Caroline Voagen Nelson
This animated gif of Suffragist Ida B Wells is part of the "Her Vote" Animated Installation at Plaxall Gallery /Culture Lab LIC in Fall 2020 in honor of the centennial of the 19th Amendment. The month long exhibition was a physical and virtual exhibition with over 1,000 visitors (masks/social distancing). In March 1913, Wells joined the first suffrage parade in Washington, D.C. She was advised to protest in the back of the crowd to avoid racial tensions. Wells refused. She said, “Either I go with you or not at all. I am not taking this stand because I personally wish for recognition. I am doing it for the future benefit of my whole race.” She rejoined the march in her original spot, arm in arm with two white co-suffragists from her state, receiving major media coverage in the process.
Caroline Voagen Nelson
This animated gif of Chinese Suffragist Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee is part of the "Her Vote" Animated Installation at Plaxall Gallery /Culture Lab LIC in Fall 2020 in honor of the centennial of the 19th Amendment. Lee helped lead the NYC suffrage protests on horseback when she was 16. Newspapers such as the New York Tribune caught wind and ran profile articles about Lee. A few years later, the New York Times covered her speech “The Submerged Half” on women’s rights. Though Lee fought for suffrage, she could not vote when the 19th Amendment was passed due to the Chinese Exclusion Act, a federal law that denied American citizenship to Chinese immigrants from 1882–1943.
Caroline Voagen Nelson
This animated gif of Suffragist Lucy Burns is part of the "Her Vote" Installation at Plaxall Gallery /Culture Lab LIC in Fall 2020 in honor of the centennial of the 19th Amendment. Burns was a suffragist who was imprisoned more than six times while protesting for women’s voting rights. She was in prison for months at a time, where she was tortured and instigated hunger strikes. She holds the “Jailed for Freedom” pin, awarded by the National Women’s Party and given to many women imprisoned for peaceful protesting. More than 90 women were sent to prison for protesting on the charge of “obstructing traffic.” After being released from prison in 1919, Burns helped lead a national train tour with 26 other women who had also been tortured and force-fed in prison for protesting.
Michael Drucker
“Legendary Photographer Tony Vaccaro” who lives in LIC, Queens
Michael David Drucker
“Banks On Ford”
Artist and Musician extraordinaire Banks Clayton on his Ford Pickup Truck which has become the centerpiece of the performances at Culture Lab LIC in the Plaxall Parking lot.
Artist and Musician extraordinaire Banks Clayton on his Ford Pickup Truck which has become the centerpiece of the performances at Culture Lab LIC in the Plaxall Parking lot.
Anthony Acevedo
"STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING DOORS PLEASE "
MARCH 1, 2020
PHYSICAL SIZE: 8-1/4in X 5-5/8in
However COVID-19 spread, the NYC transportation system was the last
place anyone wanted to find themselves in during a pandemic. Notorious
for its delays and overcrowded subway carts, the recirculated-conditioned
air made the ideal condition for the virus to spread quickly. All it took
was a single cough or sneeze, and our fears get heightened; what if
I cough? What if the person next to me sneezes? Should I help them? Should
I make it awkward and move away? Because once the conductor closed those
doors, you were at the mercy of the train now.
MARCH 1, 2020
PHYSICAL SIZE: 8-1/4in X 5-5/8in
However COVID-19 spread, the NYC transportation system was the last
place anyone wanted to find themselves in during a pandemic. Notorious
for its delays and overcrowded subway carts, the recirculated-conditioned
air made the ideal condition for the virus to spread quickly. All it took
was a single cough or sneeze, and our fears get heightened; what if
I cough? What if the person next to me sneezes? Should I help them? Should
I make it awkward and move away? Because once the conductor closed those
doors, you were at the mercy of the train now.
Anthony Acevedo
"SINGLE OUT "
MARCH 15, 2020
PHYSICAL SIZE: 8-1/4in X 5-5/8in
Living in NYC it became clear right away, that our congested city
would eventually become problematic when it came to dealing with
COVID-19. We did not want to be part of any large gatherings or crowds.
In the beginning, there was a lot of fear, anger, and vulnerability in
our community. Too many unknowns let us distrust each other and nobody wanted
to be singled out as the one who felt sick in a crowd. Despite all this,
I still believe in New York City's strong sense of community. We saw
this before, during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Sandy,
and we will see it shine through once again during this pandemic.
MARCH 15, 2020
PHYSICAL SIZE: 8-1/4in X 5-5/8in
Living in NYC it became clear right away, that our congested city
would eventually become problematic when it came to dealing with
COVID-19. We did not want to be part of any large gatherings or crowds.
In the beginning, there was a lot of fear, anger, and vulnerability in
our community. Too many unknowns let us distrust each other and nobody wanted
to be singled out as the one who felt sick in a crowd. Despite all this,
I still believe in New York City's strong sense of community. We saw
this before, during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Sandy,
and we will see it shine through once again during this pandemic.
Helaine Soller
Photograph of Artist Helaine Soller with her Painting Downed Tree 5
Painted during social isolation in Helaine Soller’s home studio 4’x6” of space. Subject of downed trees is based on walks in isolation.
Digital Photograph by Ira Soller
Painted during social isolation in Helaine Soller’s home studio 4’x6” of space. Subject of downed trees is based on walks in isolation.
Digital Photograph by Ira Soller
Photo of Mr. Soller
Homen Gardener Due To The Virus
Helaine Soller
Photograph of a social distsnce celebration
Sausage, 2020
Yunzi Liu
Ceramic
4 x 5 x 8"
$200
This piece is one of my last glazed ceramic work before the pandemic. I started to learn ceramics from October 2019 and found myself addicted to it, however, the COVID-19 kept me away from the ceramics studio. These pieces are valuable for me because they marked my progress in 2020.
The inspiration for this piece is my cat named Sausage. Sausage is a blue cat. This bottle mimics his gesture and the reflection on his hair when he is bathed in sunlight.
Ceramic
4 x 5 x 8"
$200
This piece is one of my last glazed ceramic work before the pandemic. I started to learn ceramics from October 2019 and found myself addicted to it, however, the COVID-19 kept me away from the ceramics studio. These pieces are valuable for me because they marked my progress in 2020.
The inspiration for this piece is my cat named Sausage. Sausage is a blue cat. This bottle mimics his gesture and the reflection on his hair when he is bathed in sunlight.
A King Mccarty
This is a photo from the Astoria Park virtual scavenger hunt. I helped organize it with the Astoria Park Alliance in late summer of 2020. We were trying to brainstorm ways to keep the community connected while staying socially distant, especially since all our events for spring and summer were “on pause.” I designed this little guy. His name is “Bowie Leaf.” The Astoria Pool, finally open but empty, lies beyond.
A King Mccarty
This is a selection of the “tiny art” pieces I created in 2020 for “The Ballad of One Paw Dog”. I learned I received a New Works Grant from QCA right around the time everything was shutting down. It was an honor but it also meant I had to work creatively whether I wanted to or not. The pandemic forced me to make changes to the presentation, as live performances were cancelled. Everything needed to be made in a tiny apartment with a toddler running around, so I got small. The penny in the shot provides reference for the size of the finished art. At first I didn’t want to think about it, but making art ended up keeping me sane. I created 38 tiny pieces and 19 larger backdrops as well as a musical recording to accompany the story about a lonely dog who comes to Earth to find his friend.
A King Mccarty
This is Cookie Monster. The pandemic hit us in March right before my son’s first birthday. He should’ve spent the year playing with other kids, but that didn’t happen. We watched a lot of Sesame Street, and it was comforting to spend some time with my old childhood friends. Grover is my favorite, but my son prefers Cookie. He came with us everywhere (when we could go anywhere) and became the center of all indoor play. My kid loves Cookie and so do I. He’s an Astoria original. Just like my son.
Golf covi, 2020
Adrian Dimetriou
3 x 3 x 3"
Wood, Plastic
$150
Created during the Covid 19 pandemic lockdown in Queens New York, it captures the repressed desire for golf playing.
3 x 3 x 3"
Wood, Plastic
$150
Created during the Covid 19 pandemic lockdown in Queens New York, it captures the repressed desire for golf playing.
Reckoning, 2020
June Kosloff
Mixed media-silkscreen on newspaper (NY Post) using acrylic, permanent marker & pen
11 x 12"
Price upon request
I created this piece in response to my feeling about all that happened in the year 2020 ie; the pandemic & the loss of life due to it, racial injustice ie; George Floyd killing and BLM protests throughout the world, and the real impacts everyday from climate change, and finally the current political situation which is teetering on authoritarianism. I believe we are in a watershed moment that will change the course of the history. Making this street art has helped me get through this really difficult time in both the creating of it and sharing it.
www.junekosloff.com
Mixed media-silkscreen on newspaper (NY Post) using acrylic, permanent marker & pen
11 x 12"
Price upon request
I created this piece in response to my feeling about all that happened in the year 2020 ie; the pandemic & the loss of life due to it, racial injustice ie; George Floyd killing and BLM protests throughout the world, and the real impacts everyday from climate change, and finally the current political situation which is teetering on authoritarianism. I believe we are in a watershed moment that will change the course of the history. Making this street art has helped me get through this really difficult time in both the creating of it and sharing it.
www.junekosloff.com
Mary Teresa Giancoli
As soon as the lockdown was lifted and the local parks started to open, I began photographing gardens and the waterfront in my neighborhood. I wandered into Two Coves Community Garden to photograph the flowers, strawberries, squash, tomatoes and endless variety of plants, that were tenderly cared for throughout the pandemic. The move outdoors was one of joy for the open air. I made these for loved ones, and for myself, to share the beauty of community gardens.
Two Coves Community Garden grew out of a Goodwill Industries project to develop a vacant 25,000 sq ft city property on Astoria Blvd and 8th Street in Astoria, Queens, NY. In 1998, Goodwill worked with the NYC Parks Department to clean the site. Now, Two Coves has 200 members who garden on community plots.
Two Coves Community Garden grew out of a Goodwill Industries project to develop a vacant 25,000 sq ft city property on Astoria Blvd and 8th Street in Astoria, Queens, NY. In 1998, Goodwill worked with the NYC Parks Department to clean the site. Now, Two Coves has 200 members who garden on community plots.
Gail Meyers
"Claustrophobia"
This is an assemblage box composed of altered found materials. Many of the materials for my art are scavenged from the streets surrounding my home in Richmond Hill, or are purchased from local thrift stores including the two bronze masks in this work. This piece speaks to the terror we all experienced in the Spring of 2020 when Covid cases and death rates skyrocketed in New York City, especially in Queens neighborhoods. In many ways we were, and still are, prisoners in our own homes. The small space painted black with the shockingly white faces (masks!) screaming at each other represents feeling stir crazy and claustrophobic. One mask is choking on chains. A ball and chain pendulum divides the confined space in the box, and slowly ticks off the time. When will this all end??
This is an assemblage box composed of altered found materials. Many of the materials for my art are scavenged from the streets surrounding my home in Richmond Hill, or are purchased from local thrift stores including the two bronze masks in this work. This piece speaks to the terror we all experienced in the Spring of 2020 when Covid cases and death rates skyrocketed in New York City, especially in Queens neighborhoods. In many ways we were, and still are, prisoners in our own homes. The small space painted black with the shockingly white faces (masks!) screaming at each other represents feeling stir crazy and claustrophobic. One mask is choking on chains. A ball and chain pendulum divides the confined space in the box, and slowly ticks off the time. When will this all end??
Gail Meyers
"Song to Remember"
This assemblage is composed of a small medicine cabinet (found in a thrift store in Kew Gardens) that has been painted, de-constructed, and re-constructed to create a Memento Mori shrine in honor of my stepmother who passed away in May from Covid. This shrine contains "relics" that represent decay, memory loss, and death, and in some ways resembles a Victorian curio cabinet or Medieval reliquary. My stepmother suffered from Alzheimers and was in a nursing home in Pennsylvania near her son. The inclusion of vintage sheet music in this piece refers to people suffering from dementia. When the memory of who you are fades, it is often the music that still remains. Unfortunately, like so many other families in Queens and elsewhere, we were unable to be with my stepmother when she died.
This assemblage is composed of a small medicine cabinet (found in a thrift store in Kew Gardens) that has been painted, de-constructed, and re-constructed to create a Memento Mori shrine in honor of my stepmother who passed away in May from Covid. This shrine contains "relics" that represent decay, memory loss, and death, and in some ways resembles a Victorian curio cabinet or Medieval reliquary. My stepmother suffered from Alzheimers and was in a nursing home in Pennsylvania near her son. The inclusion of vintage sheet music in this piece refers to people suffering from dementia. When the memory of who you are fades, it is often the music that still remains. Unfortunately, like so many other families in Queens and elsewhere, we were unable to be with my stepmother when she died.
Gail Meyers
"Alabama Dream Catcher"
This is an assemblage piece composed of recycled maps, vintage embroidery hoops, and old jewelry. The pieces have been painted, cut, and assembled to create a pseudo dreamcatcher. The "web" of this dreamcatcher centers on Birmingham, Alabama, and there is a disc with the city of Selma at its hub. I have dedicated this piece to John Lewis in honor of the critical work he did in Alabama to ensure that all Americans have the right (and access) to vote. Up until the day he died, John Lewis advocated for voting rights and was especially vocal during this very politically tumultuous year. His work had a positive impact on all of us. Let's hope his "dream" persists.
This is an assemblage piece composed of recycled maps, vintage embroidery hoops, and old jewelry. The pieces have been painted, cut, and assembled to create a pseudo dreamcatcher. The "web" of this dreamcatcher centers on Birmingham, Alabama, and there is a disc with the city of Selma at its hub. I have dedicated this piece to John Lewis in honor of the critical work he did in Alabama to ensure that all Americans have the right (and access) to vote. Up until the day he died, John Lewis advocated for voting rights and was especially vocal during this very politically tumultuous year. His work had a positive impact on all of us. Let's hope his "dream" persists.
