16. YELL! at Herald Square
YELL!, an immersive, outdoor public art installation produced by Fountain House Gallery commemorates the 75th anniversary of the organization and recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month in May. The Gallery is a national mental health nonprofit “fighting to improve health, increase opportunity and end social and economic isolation for people most impacted by mental illness.” YELL! is a multimedia maze constructed of plywood and lumber modules. The walls of the maze are adorned with art by Fountain House Gallery members.
As visitors walk through the maze, they will be taken through a narrative of the artists’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Each module illustrates a different theme such as trauma, stigma, incarceration, and identity. The final module emphasizes community-based recovery options and is staffed by a trained peer specialist who is available to answer questions and provide visitors with resources. The journey through the maze is meant to represent a daunting journey through the mental health system, but also the strength and perseverance of Fountain House members.YELL! will be on view at Herald Square (at the intersection of 34th Street and Broadway) between May 18 through May 22. It will then travel to Governors Island this summer.
