Perceived Spaces Group Research Paper
Chelsea is one of the trendiest neighborhoods of New York City. It is known for all of the beautiful apartments, art galleries, trendy restaurants, clothing stores, and the Highline. My group decided to focus and hone in on the Meatpacking District of Chelsea for this project. It extends from West 14th street south to Gansevoort Street and from the Hudson River east to Hudson Street. Most people come to the Meatpacking District for the Whitney Museum of American Art, an infamous contemporary art museum, or for the nightlife. The name of this area derives from the surplus of excess slaughterhouses and meatpacking plants that were prevalent in the 1900’s.
The Meatpacking District is full of history and has progressed and transformed into the trendy area it is today. During the late 1980’s-1990’s the area was the center for drug dealing, prostitution, and underground sex clubs. The transition when more high-end retailers and stylish stores moved in began in the late 1990’s. Artists and galleries came to Chelsea around this time. Numerous buildings were used for warehouses or factories.
When we made our class visit, I realized that there were mostly young parents and families at the meatpacking district. I was surprised because this area was so popular for their nightlife for years and still is, that is when I realized the versatility of this area. The meatpacking district is so special because it can cater to different people at different times of the day. During the morning and afternoon, families can come here and spend quality time together shopping, taking walks, and eating. In contrast, during the night a younger crowd can come to this area for the trendy bars and nightclubs that are spread throughout this area. You can also still find graffiti spread throughout this area by the shops.
I will be doing a mixed media piece inspired by Shepard Fairey’s earliest works in Chelsea. When I looked up his works in Chelsea when he first moved to the neighborhood, I saw mostly street art. I appreciate his vibrant colors and I think he is so successful in creating cohesion throughout his pieces because of his consistent use of repetition. I want to replicate his repetition in my work and use vivid colors. I will be getting a lot of inspiration from his style choices. I noticed that Fairey usually uses people as his subjects. I want to focus my subject on an object instead probably an accessory to symbolize the transition of the Meatpacking District into the fashionable district it is now. I am better and hand drawing and creating my pieces so I will create the repetition of the symbol of Chelsea I choose through a block print stamp. Moreover, I was inspired by the interactive art that we viewed at the Cooper Hewitt Museum. Interactive art is so intimate and your experience will not be the same as another person’s. I want to incorporate some interactive art by pasting on pieces of fabric that I have left in my house since I am a fashion design major to personalize my piece.
