Over the course of one week, we researched and explored the Highline – asking ourselves questions about what it once was, what it is now, who built it, for who – by interviewing people on it, and people who live and work nearby, including those who have never checked it out, and never plan to. We considered everything we had learned, and using all our skills and resources developed of the course of this summer, we decided to design a guerrilla, public intervention.

Our intervention took the form of an instant art happening, what we called a “pop up party.” Our party was designed to include the elements of the Highline we found successful – green space, social, seating, pretty, etc – as well as elements we thought were lacking – public performance space, free refreshments, spaces for ANYONE to make things, play and party! We wanted the people we interviewed – including those who love the Highline and those who felt it represents an unwelcoming gentrified neighborhood – to want to come to our party. We designed a space we hope anyone would feel welcome, and most importantly, a space where people could participate in it’s creation!

We used (mostly) found materials – A huge yellow tarp rescued from the street, gorgeous handpainted paper patterns, plastic planters, native plants dug up from around the neighborhood, and tons of foam, plastic, and cardboard. Beyond that, we kept it cheap and easy – We wanted our guests to see that creating an environment like our Lowline doesn’t require any special resources or tons of cash! Mostly it took us time (only 4 days!) and a whole lot of creativity!

We kept our party mobile so that we could be in and out in a couple of hours, but also so people could feel comfortable rearranging it and recreating it as needed. Someone added a dance floor, and many people used our sidewalk chalk to create a colorful environment to play in. Seats were moved around, impromptu hula hoop lessons were taught, people took the stage to serenade the rest of us. Our Mobile Movie House featuring videos we made over the course of the summer……well, it was MOBILE!!

This was a first version – We experimented with posting a lemonade stand via pulley system on the Highline – to connect high and low, to attract attention, to feed the masses! We were swiftly kicked off, but we still claim success. Video documentation soon to come. Our floating banner was BEAUTIFUL! It was hard to control, and our fragile balloons left our sign sinking over the course of the night. We liked this. It could have been better. Our fort became a lovely backdrop for our Plant It! roving plant workshop. In the future, we have to solve the design problem of creating a fort for a site we can’t access in the present.

What follows are just a few pictures, check out the entire Flickr pool here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1161325@N20/pool/

The PUP Mobile Movie House in action

Plant It! mobile plant workshop and (hanging) native plants garden.

Caroline running the Plant It! mobile seed starting and native plant appropriating workshop

LowLine / HighLine !!

Pop Up Party floating banner in action!

Testing the Pop Up Party banner

A party on wheels...getting the parade ready to depart the Eyebeam

Live performances on the LowLine

DDC09 Artists Extaordinaire, Christina Kral and Adriana Young, kickin' back in the Jacuzzi!

A wild game of 4-Square!

Pop Party seating!

The cost of one cup of lemonade = ONE SECRET!

The PUP Parade departs Eyebeam, heading towards the Lowline on 19th street

(opening 60 seconds lovingly appropriated from another student film!!)

Team 1 : Luis, D.V., Zoe, and Jade

Food (Click for Music)

Team 2: Spencer, Jon, Deeds, and Usman

Revolt is Back (Click for Music)

Overall it was a great experience and everyone learned a ton!

In this video you are able to see how we use our imagination with a little of creativity.Living in New York City we know how it is to travel and sometimes we know how it is to be in a hurry and get to the train on time, with this in mind, that was what became the motivation of how we used the space at the socretes sculpture park.

Party with us on July 28th, 6-8pm

DDC09 students have used all our wisdom and know-how collected over the course of this summer to plan our final project – A Pop-Up Party! The party will include ice-cold lemonade (delivered via pulley system to both Highline and Lowline visitors), a fort for contemplating life, games, live musical performances, a movie theater for two, and a hanging garden and edible plant giveaway!

Join us!
Tuesday, July 28th, 6-8pm
19th st between 10th and 11th Ave (beneath the Highline)