Through collaborations with a diverse group of arts organizations and artists, Parks brings to the public both experimental and traditional art in many park locations across New York.
Finnish-born, Queens-based artist Laura Lappi’s 7 x 7 (Hope) explores issues of space in New York City and the cost of living and housing, and how that impacts many communities. With this sculpture, Lappi draws attention especially to immigrant communities and their living conditions in Queens. While Queens is New York City’s most culturally diverse borough welcoming immigrants from different backgrounds, its housing affordability is often out of reach for many people. The sculpture consists of a black wooden house structure that measures seven feet long, five feet wide and seven feet high, referring to the size of the average illegal basement room. Each wall has an embedded letter, creating the word H-O-P-E. A light is placed inside the sculpture allowing it to glow at night.
