Fordjour's mural of two Black drum majors bent backward until their shakos nearly graze the ground has been looming over 22nd Street all summer, and here he explains it himself. Across from him is Cecilia Alemani, who runs High Line Art and curated the 2022 Venice Biennale — an interviewer who commissions work like this for a living. If you do one art thing this weekend, a free hour with a major painter and a world-class curator is it.
What to expect
Turn up at the seating steps at 22nd Street, where the mural is in direct view, and take a spot on the steps. The hour runs as a conversation rather than a lecture, moving between the mural and the three painted bronze figures — a boxer, a waiter and a burlesque dancer — installed on the park between 25th and 26th Streets. Walk up and see them afterward.
Good to know
- The C/E to 23rd Street is closest; the 23rd Street and 20th Street access points have both stairs and elevators.
- Seating on the steps is first-come and a named talk like this draws a crowd, so come early.
- It is fully outdoors with no cover — dress for the weather and bring water.
- The Archetypes bronzes sit further north between 25th and 26th Streets; build in walking time.
- Free and open to everyone; no art background is needed to follow the conversation.
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Common questions
Is it free?
Yes. High Line Art programs are free and open to the public, with first-come seating on the 22nd Street steps.
Who is Cecilia Alemani?
She is the Donald R. Mullen, Jr. Director and Chief Curator of High Line Art, and she curated the 2022 Venice Biennale.
Can I see the artworks the same day?
Yes. The mural is adjacent to the park at 22nd Street and the three bronzes stand on the High Line between 25th and 26th Streets.
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