At Fort Tilden, A Maze of Criss-Crossing Cords Highlights Damage and Beauty of Historic Building

Over the years, the roof of the The Rockaway Artists Alliance’s gallery space in Fort Tilden has been damaged by Hurricane Sandy and the daily battering of ocean winds and weather. Now, as part of the alliance’s ongoing fundraising efforts to repair and maintain the turn-of-the-century roof which tops the RAA’s sTudio 7 gallery, the organization is joining forces with New York City artist Aaron Asis to present Leak Lines, a temporary, site-specific art installation.

Leak Lines is a visually striking installation meant to draw attention to the problems, as well as the beauty, of the gallery space where the RAA hosts art exhibitions and performances. The art piece is made up of a series of yellow cords that connect existing overhead features of the gallery to ground mounted anchors beneath a central skylight. The path of the tensioned cords are meant to draw eyes up to the leaking roof and inspire visitors to contemplate the building itself as art. It is reminiscent of a previous piece by Asis inside the Green-Wood Cemetery Chapel.

The RAA hopes this project will help “preserve the historic building and show its significance in the community.” Repairs for the roof are being partially funded by a contribution from the Jamaica Bay – Rockaway Parks Conservancy, and this installation will hopefully inspire more community members to donate to the RAA’s Our Roof Leaks campaign.

An opening reception for Leak Lines will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at 6pm in RAA’s sTudio 7 gallery. There will be live music and refreshments available.

Leak Lines will be on view starting Saturday, March 30 at 12 pm until 4 pm. The gallery will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm until 4 pm through April 13, 2019 and by appointment.

Next, check out 11 New NYC Art Installations Not to Miss This March 2019