“This project by artist Paul Ramírez Jonas reinvents the civic honor of bestowing keys on luminaries into a personal ritual and experience for ordinary citizens. Jonas has created a master key that is able to unlock more than 20 sites across New York Cityʼs five boroughs—such as locks within the Brooklyn Museum and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Members of the public will be able to collect thousands of these custom-made keys which they can then award to each other in one-to-one ceremonies. The keys will be distributed from a kiosk in Times Square, open daily from June 3 to 27.
“Key to the City is an innovative public art project that encourages New Yorkers to recognize each other with the quintessential symbol of civic honor—a key to the city,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Every day, millions of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world interact with one another in every neighborhood—on subways, at coffee shops, in parks—and artist Paul Ramírez Jonas’ idea celebrates those interactions by helping bring a tradition typically reserved for special occasions to our everyday lives. “The keys will unlock sites in all five boroughs and will provide New Yorkers with a new way to experience some of our cultural organizations, city landmarks and small businesses.” “
Read more at: http://uapmarker.com.au/2010/05/28/key-to-the-city-paul-ramirez-jonas-new-york/
