BOTANICAL BOOMBOX: BROOKLYN BRANCH
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn NYC
June 17 - Oct 22, 2023
Title: Botanical Boombox: Brooklyn Branch
Year: 2023
Medium: Mixed Media (Cement, Steel, Resin, Mason Jars, Audio, Light & Solar Power System)
Dimensions: 9'L x 9'W x 10'H
Description: Titled, ‘Botanical Boombox: Brooklyn Branch’, this sustainable sonic sculpture will take the form of a solar paneled Tree that bear fruit representing a multitude of talented Hip-Hop Artists that blossom out of various Brooklyn neighborhoods. The solar paneled tree is a metaphor for Hip-Hop which supplied a cultural canopy to communities by offering stimulation, inspiration and activation through music, dance, spoken word and visual art. This Hip-Hop renaissance sparked a rebirth of consciousness in self identity, community and expression.
Botanical Boombox: Brooklyn Branch serves as the second installment of public art works celebrating New York communities that foster exceptional talent within the canopy of Hip-Hop. The first Botanical Boombox amplified the voices of Hip-Hop artists blooming out of the Queens community of Queensbridge represented within a mini greenhouse. Brooklyn Branch will further dissect the impact of Hip-Hop as Community Hosts within the Brooklyn communities of Flatbush, Bed Stuy, Brownsville and East New York.
Within the solar panel canopy, protruding from the steel trunk, branches will represent each of these Brooklyn communities. Hanging from each branch will be colorful resin designed fruits, illuminated from within, bearing the name of artists that sprouted from the four Brooklyn neighborhoods. These fruits, each representing personal characteristics of select Brooklyn artists, will inspire a curated audio playlist that showcase popular songs by each artist. Such artists will include Lil’ Kim, Special Ed, Chubb Rock, MC Lyte, MOP, Jeru Da Damaja, Book Camp Clik, to name a few.
Hip-Hop traces it’s roots back to New York’s South Bronx in the 1970’s where young disenfranchised BIPOC communities threw parties in community centers and NYC Parks. I continue to add to this culture by creating engaging community projects.
Brooklyn Branch contains a special Brooklyn Hip Hop Audio mix created by DJ Barry Blends & DJ Baby Blends @djbarryblands
Check out the mix as a Spotify Playlist HERE
Photos by: Sophia Elizabeth Photo/ IG tag @williamssophia15
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TECHNICAL DRAWING
The Technical Drawing contains overall design, accurate measurements and structural design.
(Click an image to enlarge)
BOTANICAL BOOMBOX PRESS:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The site location for BOTANICAL BOOMBOX: BROOKLYN BRANCH is Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Brooklyn, New York.
CREDITS
AnkhLave Artist Alliance @ankhlave
Branching Out: Trees as Community Hosts is presented by AnkhLave Arts Alliance and curated by Cecilia André. Check out six site-specific works by local BIPOC artists inspired by trees. The 2023 AnkhLave Garden Project Fellows consist of 5 BIPOC artists who will create site-specific art installations throughout the grounds of Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG). By presenting artists and art-making in a nontraditional setting like the Garden, AnkhLave aims to promote BIPOC artists who represent and reflect the Garden’s diverse audience.
BBG @brooklynbotanic
This Hip Hop Monument is made possible by Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Art in the Garden is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
LEON SPEAKERS @leonspeakers
Audio Speakers was generously donated the amazing team at LeonSpeakers / Sound + Style for Any Space. Leon Speakers mixes art with audio, design with technology, and business with bohemia.
Custom Concepts @customconcepts
The Solar panel type designs were crafted by Custom Concepts in Montclair, NJ, blending the perfect form and function with design and communication.