The first event I chose was a tour of Tom Otterness’ studio, the one event I heard about last year that got me interested in the weekend. I first became familiar with Tom’s work by taking the subway. In 2000, he began installing his “Life Underground” series at the 14th Street A,C,E subway station. In 2005, he had a show across Indianapolis, which I saw select pieces from during a summer visit home. And later that year created a Humpty Dumpty balloon for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, which flew that year and in 2006. So when he opened up the doors to his studio again this year, I jumped at the chance to take a visit.
His current studio is in Brooklyn and full of his work in various stages: conceptual research, drawings, wax figures, clay models, larger plaster models and the finished product.
After peeking around and taking pictures, the artist himself led a tour, let us watch him while he worked and answered our questions. It was quite a nice way to spend an hour if you ask me.
Afterwards, I had to race to Battery Park as I was off to Ellis Island. I had a 3:30 tour, but because it’s such a popular tourist destination – especially on a Saturday afternoon – I had to be in line for the ferry between noon and 1pm. I got in line about 12:30 and didn’t get to Ellis Island until a little after 3pm. Fortunately I had bought my ferry ticket online the day before so I had one less line to stand in. (Note to the tourists: If you must go to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island on a weekend, go first thing in the morning, you’ll save a lot of time.)
Our tour was of the south side of the Island and its 29 buildings, where most visitors aren’t allowed. In fact this tour is only given once a year, during the OHNY weekend. Most of these buildings were part of the hospital complex which was closed in 1954 and have barely been touched since. Only one, the ferry building, is currently open, but only to school groups and other special tours. The rest of the buildings are currently being “stabilized” so they will not deteriorate any further and eventually can be restored back to their former glory.
We started our tour in the now renovated 1930s ferry terminal and then made our way back to the hospitals where 1 million immigrants were treated between 1900-1954. We were able to go inside many of the buildings, including parts of the contagious disease ward and the commissioners home.
Again, I had the opportunity to take a lot of great pictures, but just viewing them on a computer screen doesn’t do much justice. You have to experience it for yourself.
Our tour guide told me that if funding continues as it has been, the south side of Ellis Island will be fully restored 21 years from now, however with a new recent campaign sponsored by Arrow, the hope is that much more funding will come through and this can be done in 10 years. For more information, visit http://www.weareellisisland.org/.
There is one more day of OHNY and I’m currently undecided if I will participate in any other events or not. If I do, I’ll definitely share my itinerary and pictures. If not, I’ll look forward to next year. Mark your calendars, the 6th Annual event will likely take place on Columbus Day weekend.
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