Spartan Follies
Inspired by the concept of a fitness “boot camp” and by Randall’s Island Park’s history and role as a site for sports, Denise Treizman’s Spartan Follies aims to lure visitors into physical and recreational interaction. Her work offers an ironically un-“Spartan” invitation through flashy forms, playful materials, and saturated colors; more than the idealized promise of a gym or a workout, her “follies” evoke a children’s playground, calling viewers to explore, play and be creative with these non-precious, interactive works of art. The works stand as objects for both contemplation and active use, shifting from object to tool, depending on public interaction, and thus invite visitors to explore the intersection between objectification and functionality. This shifting – and the playful reuse of leftover, inexpensive and readymade materials – also reflects the continued adaptation, transformation and reinvention of Randall’s Island, in its different historical roles within New York City.
The Blog
Installation days 6 & 7
Finishing up the tires, and finally filling up the fitness balls with sand! Each ball weights 60 pounds!
Installation day 5- painted acylic cirles, hole digging and installing pipes. Also..still bolting!
First Danny helped me by cuting off an inner circle from the acrylic circles. This pieces we are making will be used for a more aesthetical termination, in the part where the cable and chains come off the grass.
Then the Randall's Island's Turf staff helped my with digging the holes to anchor the pipe tubes. Finally, the tubes were installed and anchored to the ground, but I still don't want to uncover them!
Installation day 4- moving some tubes and working on site!
Some of the tubes have arrived to the island, but since we are not anchoring them yet, we had to cover them and surround them with "Caution" tape.
We also worked on bolting some more tires and advanced pretty quickly with 2 new team members, life-long friends from Chile: Fede and Danny. Thank you, thank you!!
Meanwhile in the studio...fitting lids and special helpers!
I had to sand all the acrylic lids, cause they weren't fitting in the tubes...After a lot of patience and with the help of the rubber mallot, we did it!!! :)
I also had some special helpers from Chile (my nephews!!), here's some pictures of them in action!
(b. 1979, Santiago, Chile)