INSIDE/OUT in NYC

PORTRAITS (Spannan)
Imagine an angel looking at you, only at you, someone who can really see you… then suddenly she appears. The artist is in the window dressed in white, an otherworldly figure. In front of her is a painter's palette. Throughout the day, she paints portraits of pedestrians, realistically drawn and rendered. As artist and subject silently agree to collaborate, there is curiosity on both sides. The chance encounter results in moments of great intimacy between painter and subject. The street audience has the opportunity to witness the painting; they, too, have taken a moment to pause. After approximately 20 minutes, the finished portrait is placed on the window glass. The subjects are now looking out; the pedestrians view a streetscape of faces, faces they might pass by every day though never really look at.

 

SECRETS (Barnett)
Secrets. Confessions. Little shames. Everyone has them. This project challenges passersby to 'air their dirty laundry,' and anonymously share their deepest secrets. The artist is in the window, her long white dress and apron a symbol of cleanliness and purity. On a clothesline above her are wooden pins from which hang envelopes, each stamped 'Secret' in red ink. Outside the window are pens and transparent paper. Passersby are invited to write a secret and seal it in an envelope. After a safe passage of time (the confidentiality of each participant is 100% guaranteed!) the artist removes a secret and hangs it up - like laundry left to dry. Stories, hopes, dreams - all in different handwriting - transform the empty window glass; the artist has become sheathed by a mural of the city's inner thoughts.