Press Release
Participating Artists
Sponsorship
Location
Publication

Public Art Fund is proud to present a new exhibition of contemporary art at MetroTech Center. American Idyll continues MetroTech's commitment to supporting the work of emerging artists. Each year artists are asked to respond to the Commons, the public spaces surrounding the vibrant downtown areas of MetroTech Center and Brooklyn Polytechnic. The artists in this year's exhibition - Jon Conner, Amy Gartrell, Dave McKenzie, Pentti Monkkonen and Roman de Salvo - have each created works that observe and playfully comment upon outdoor recreation, roadside Americana, and idyllic pastimes and pleasures.

		Jon Conner - Perfect Day In Perfect Day, a sculpture of a father and son holding fishing rods is perched atop an oversized Igloo cooler. Conner suggests that even the most banal objects can live larger-than-life in our memories. ...More about this project
		Jon Conner - Disc Dogs In Disc Dogs, Conner puts a new twist on the clichéd relationship between "man and his best friend." The sculpture consists of several dogs blending into each other and suspended in the act of catching a Frisbee. ...More about this project
		Amy Gartrell - Wishing Well Gartrell's towering Wishing Well, a stylistic departure from her other work, draws from the world of fairy tales, fables, and local theatrical productions. Meant to look like a misplaced stage prop, the painted well is topped by a tin bucket that is almost impossible to reach. ...More about this project
		Dave McKenzie - There's No Place Like Home For There's No Place Like Home, McKenzie decided to recreate an existing statue of Paul Bunyan from Rumford, Maine. By inserting this iconic statue into downtown Brooklyn, McKenzie brings small town America into the heart of Brooklyn. ...More about this project
		Pentti Monkkonen - French Fry in the Sky French Fry in the Sky is a large, yellow-metal sculpture with perching, painted-bronze pigeons. Monkkonen's work mimics the ubiquitous abstract metal sculptures found in courtyards and lobbies throughout the city and country. ...More about this project
		Roman de Salvo - Liquid Ballistic Liquid Ballistic is a mahogany cannon that doubles as a seesaw and releases a gentle stream of water when activated. De Salvo renders the cannon useless as a weapon, inviting spectators to ride and enjoy themselves. ...More about this project

Sponsorship
American Idyll at MetroTech Center is part of an ongoing program organized by the Public Art Fund and sponsored by MetroTech Commons Associates, an organization that consists of MetroTech companies Bear Stearns & Company, Forest City Ratner Companies, JPMorganChase, KeySpan, Polytechnic University, Securities Industry Automation Corporation (SIAC) and DOITT. Special thanks to Forest City Ratner Companies and First New York Management.

Location
MetroTech Center is situated in the Civic Center/Borough Hall area of Downtown Brooklyn.
By Subway: M, N, or R to Lawrence Street Station or the A, C, or F to Jay Street/Borough Hall, exit at Myrtle Promenade.