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As the topic of urban restoration ^[5] garners more attention, we have seen an increase in the investigation and experimentation relating to NYC’s ecological past. NYC Wildflower Week ^[6] demonstrated a rise in popularity of plants native to New York City. Coupling urban restoration and indigenous plants, Julie Farris and Sarah Wayland-Smith, both landscape designers, were commissioned by the Public Art Fund ^[7] to design and construct ‘A Clearing in the Streets ^[8],’ a 15-foot wide, plywood structure containing the beginnings of a meadow. The temporary installation ^[8], meant to invite passers-by to appreciate and watch the “re-insertion” of nature back into the city, offers a glimpse into NYC’s native landscape.

We found the walls enclosing the landscape to be slightly disorienting, since we typically think of nature as residing outside, not inside. The designers ^[8] explained in an interview with Flavorwire ^[9]: ” [The] narrow apertures, where the bright blue photographic mural can be clearly seen, draw visitors toward the structure and to a closer, more intimate view of the plantings inside.” We were instantly reminded of The Phantom Tollbooth ^[10] upon approaching the project’s exterior, which made us wonder if by peeking in, we would be whisked off to another world where New York City is no longer a dense, concrete jungle.

And in fact, this sentiment was perhaps not far off. At least, not if you think about the implications of “re-inserting” nature into the city. What would our city look like if more public attention was turned toward green spaces ^[11]? Or more importantly, how would cities feel — how would the life of an ordinary citizen change?

Upon peering inside, we found that Farris and Wayland-Smith ^[8] chose to populate their installation with plants native to NYC. As the summer progresses, the plants will grow, creating a very close juxtaposition between nature and built environment. While the use of native plants certainly stirs a bit of nostalgia of what the land once was, the creation of greenery ^[8] more importantly points to what might be. Inquisitive individuals who investigate the piece will hopefully find that the installation illustrates how a bustling metropolis such as NYC can begin to invite nature back into the daily experiences of its residents.

True to the principles of nature where all matter is part of a living cycle, the designers plan to re-use the materials of the project at the end of the installation: the plants will be donated to NYC community gardens, while the plywood will be re-used to create planter boxes.

+ Public Art Fund ^[7]

Via Flavorwire ^[9]