The Asian/Pacific/American Institute hosts a pair of December events centering on “The Wayfinding Project,” an evolving, nine-month installation that questions the representation of indigenous cultures in New York City’s pre-colonial history and its future.
New York University’s Asian/Pacific/American Institute hosts a pair of December events centering on “The Wayfinding Project,” an evolving, nine-month installation that questions the representation of indigenous cultures in New York City’s pre-colonial history and its future. They include an artist and student presentation (Dec. 8) and a demonstration blending Broadway’s past and present using virtual reality technology (Dec. 12).
These events, free and open to the public, will be held at NYU’s Asian/Pacific/American Institute (8 Washington Mews [south of E. 8th Street, between Fifth Avenue and University Place]).
Thurs., Dec. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The Wayfinding Project: Closing Showcase
(Artist and Student Presentation)
Seeking to displace the myth of “the purchase of Manhattan,” the Wayfinding Project installation closes with a presentation of its findings. Using technologies, both time-tested and cutting edge, the project, a collaboration between Artist-in-Residence Beatrice Glow and NYU’s Jack Tchen, aims to reconstruct the pre-1609 Lenape Trail (present-day Broadway)—just one of many waterways and pathways created by the first peoples of the area to trade and travel. Glow and her collaborators, including students in the NYU course “Indigenous Futures | Decolonizing NYC,” share their research on Indigenous NYC history and the process of creating virtual reality and augmented reality elements for the installation.
Mon., Dec. 12, 2-5 p.m.
Mannahatta VR: Envisioning Lenapeway
(Exhibition Tour and Virtual Reality Demonstration)
Artist Beatrice Glow and the Wayfinding Project have partnered with Alexandre Girardeau of Highway 101, ETC (Experiential Tech Community) to build Mannahatta VR, a virtual reality experience in the HTC Vive, a VR headset, which brings together the past and present of one Broadway block. Experience the VR during this demonstration to gain an immersive view pre-colonial Manhattan.
To RSVP, please call 212.992.9653 or visit apa.nyu.edu/events. Subways: N/R (8th Street), A/C/E/B/D/F/M (West 4th Street), 6 (Astor Place)