Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
NYC Parks and Prospect Park Alliance are proud to unveil a
new sculpture by artist and activist Molly Gachman at the
Grand Army Plaza entrance at thenorth corner of Prospect Park.
A work from the Artist S Monuments to Motherhood series,
the 15 foot tall bronze sculpture honors caregiving in
all its forms, recognizing thosewho nurture, sustain and support
(00:23):
their communities, often in waysthat go unseen across the
country. Public statuary rarely reflects
these essential contributions, and the role of care remains
largely overlooked in civic spaces.
This sculpture offers a powerfulacknowledgement of those whose
labor holds society together andstands as a testament to the
(00:45):
generations that came before us.The sculpture will stand for one
year. The unveiling will be
accompanied by a season of programming at various sites,
including family friendly eventsin the spring and summer and a
special gathering on Mother S Day in Prospect Park designed to
engage the public in conversations about motherhood,
(01:07):
caregiving and how we honor our collective histories.
RSVP link here. This work is a monument to all
of us, including the millions ofpeople, parents, nurses,
childcare workers, home health aides, who perform acts of care
every day, often without recognition.
(01:27):
Molly Gachman cheered. It feels deeply resonant to
bring the sculpture to Grand Army Plaza, a site of both
public commemoration and everyday movement.
My hope is that by engaging in dialogue about caregiving, we
can illuminate its vital role and celebrate this universal and
essential act. Caregiving is truly an act of
(01:50):
love, whether it's tending to the soil to help plants grow,
nurturing a little one taking their first steps, or sitting on
a bench taking in the sun. We're honored that Prospect Park
is where Brooklyn nights come tocare for themselves and each
other. The park is truly a backbone
that we all rely on for comfort and connection, said Prospect
(02:10):
Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco.
The park is a natural fit as home to Monuments to motherhood,
as caregiving is embedded in so much of what we do at the
Alliance through our work sustaining natural areas,
fostering community, providing opportunities for Wellness and
more. Molly's work is a powerful
(02:32):
addition to Brooklyn S monument landscape and a step to ensure
monuments reflect and honor the people who shape our communities
through care and love. It is so fitting that Monuments
to Motherhood is taking its place in Prospect Park, just as
caregivers do. Our public green spaces make
communities safer and stronger, helping New Yorkers connect with
(02:55):
one another and find inspirationin the great outdoors.
In turn, we care for our public parks through stewardship,
ensuring these vital living resources remain resilient and
healthy for generations to come,said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue
Donoghue. We're proud to enhance our
public spaces with world class art installations like this,
(03:18):
sparking moments of delight and reflection for New Yorkers and
visitors alike. We're grateful to the artist and
our partners at the Prospect Park Alliance for bringing this
thought provoking piece to Brooklyn S backyard.
This series emerged from GachmanS investigation into the public
monument landscape, where she sought to challenge some of the
(03:39):
prevailing narratives she discovered dominated mostly by
depictions of white men and glorifications of acts of war,
and instead create a monument tothe immaterial and essential act
of care. Despite a national reckoning
over the US monument landscape in recent years, New York City S
public statuary remains deeply imbalanced.
(04:01):
According to City Hall, only 8 of New York City S-150 public
monuments honoring historical figures are women.
Through this installation, Gachman continues her work of
reshaping commemoration, offering a powerful reflection
on caregiving, community, and the narratives we choose to
(04:22):
elevate in public space. Gachman created the sculptures
in the Monuments to Motherhood series using armatures built
from repurposed household items such as bowls, plastic wrap, and
aluminum foil that symbolize thehidden labor of care.
These temporary structures served as the foundation for
(04:42):
looping layers of epoxy clay coils, reflecting an
interconnected network of relationships and mutual
support. She then cast the sculptures at
a large scale in bronze, A valuable material chosen for its
association with high art and the traditional language of
monuments, as well As for its ability to last longer than
(05:03):
other metals while still holdingthe potential for alchemical
changes. Participation is a central
feature in Gachman S artistic practice.
When visitors touch these sculptures, the natural oils
from their hands will, over time, subtly alter the patina.
That evolving surface echoes theunpredictable, ongoing and
(05:25):
enduring imprint of care in all of our lives through an act of
collective creation. The sculpture will be installed
just inside the north entrance to Prospect Park, in the
triangular patch of grass where East and West drives meet.
Nearby, the Soldiers and SailorsMemorial Archer Monument,
commemorating veterans of the American Civil War, stands
(05:48):
visible in the background, positioned just past the Green
Market Plaza, Monuments to Motherhood will be visible to
all runners, cyclists, Green Market shoppers and park goers
entering from the north, ensuring that the work remains A
focal point of the Park South daily life and movement.
(06:08):
The installation follows the February 2025 unveiling of
Monuments to Motherhood in the Memphis Medical District, where
three smaller human scale sculptures were placed on the
former side of the Confederate Nathan Bedford Forest Monument.
The Monuments to Motherhood project also includes a podcast
series of the same name, exploring themes of caregiving,
(06:31):
motherhood, art making and monumentalization.
The podcast serves as a companion to the installation,
expanding on its themes through conversations with Alliance
President Morgan Monaco and artists, activists and
caregivers such as Eve Biddle, Alexandra Bradner, Michelle
(06:52):
Browder, Diamond STYLZ Collier, Paul Farber, Lawanna Kimbrough,
Richard Louie, Mariah Moore and Ayesha Neandero.
As the sculpture debuts on the five year anniversary of the
COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, it also quietly acknowledges the
acts of care that sustained communities during that time and
(07:13):
continue to do so today. Monuments to motherhood at Grand
Army Plaza will remain on view through May 2026.
More details on upcoming programming will be announced in
the coming weeks. About Molly Gachman Molly is an
artist and activist deeply engaged in social practice and
(07:34):
focuses on activating spaces forprofound collective experiences.
Her practice encompasses A diverse range of mediums,
including photography, sound, installation, and sculpture.
Through these mediums, she oftenchallenges and subverts
conventional material boundariesto foster interaction, play,
(07:57):
exploration, and meaningful dialogue.
Molly frequently explores concepts encompassing human
connection, environment, and community, rooted in the belief
that life's experiences shape us.
Guided by the concept that life Leathers us, her works not only
aim to aesthetize but also reflect the passage of time
(08:18):
through weather, wear, and change.
Her practice continues to evolvewith a desire to actively engage
participants, inspire meaningfuldialogues, find commonality, and
discover shared human experiences.
Originally from Texas, Molly is currently based in New York.
(08:39):
About Monuments to Motherhood Molly Gochman asks.
Monuments to Motherhood is a series of sculptures honoring
the enduring support provided bycaregivers across generations.
Ranging from 4 to 15 feet tall, these structures invite
immersive experiences and tactile exploration, encouraging
(08:59):
reflection on themes such as labor, domesticity, and
community. Cast in bronze, a material
traditionally associated with grandeur and permanence, Molly
creates enduring forms that symbolize and elevate narratives
of caregiving. These sculptures are intended to
serve as sites of collective historical memory and are
(09:21):
designed to facilitate engagement, acting as gathering
points for discussions on the impact of caregiving.
About Prospect Park Alliance Prospect Park Alliance is the
nonprofit organization that sustains, restores, and advances
Prospect Park Brooklyn's backyard.
In partnership with the City of New York.
(09:44):
The Alliance provides critical staff and resources that keep
the park green and vibrant for the diverse communities that
call Brooklyn home. The Alliance cares for The
Woodlands and natural areas, restores the park S buildings
and landscapes, creates new parkdestinations, and provides free
or low cost volunteer education and recreation programs through
(10:07):
the work of the Alliance. Prospect Park is an
international model for the careof urban parks and one of the
premier green spaces in the United States.
Learn more at www.prospectpark.org.
About NYC Parks Art in the ParksProgram For nearly 60 years, NYC
(10:30):
Parks Art in the Parks program has brought contemporary public
artworks to the city S parks, making New York City one of the
world S largest open air galleries.
The agency has consistently fostered the creation and
installation of temporary publicart in parks throughout the five
boroughs. Since 1967, NYC Parks has
(10:53):
collaborated with arts organizations and artists to
produce more than 3000 public artworks.
By 1500, notable and emerging artists in more than 200 parks.
For more information, please visit NYC Gov Parks Art.
NYC Parks and Prospect Park Alliance are proud to unveil a
new sculpture by artist and activist Molly Gachman at the
Grand Army Plaza entrance at thenorth corner of Prospect Park.
A work from the Artist S Monuments to Motherhood series,
the 15 foot tall bronze sculpture honors caregiving in
all its forms, recognizing thosewho nurture, sustain and support
(00:23):
their communities, often in waysthat go unseen across the
country. Public statuary rarely reflects
these essential contributions, and the role of care remains
largely overlooked in civic spaces.
This sculpture offers a powerfulacknowledgement of those whose
labor holds society together andstands as a testament to the
(00:45):
generations that came before us.The sculpture will stand for one
year. The unveiling will be
accompanied by a season of programming at various sites,
including family friendly eventsin the spring and summer and a
special gathering on Mother S Day in Prospect Park designed to
engage the public in conversations about motherhood,
(01:07):
caregiving and how we honor our collective histories.
RSVP link here. This work is a monument to all
of us, including the millions ofpeople, parents, nurses,
childcare workers, home health aides, who perform acts of care
every day, often without recognition.
(01:27):
Molly Gachman cheered. It feels deeply resonant to
bring the sculpture to Grand Army Plaza, a site of both
public commemoration and everyday movement.
My hope is that by engaging in dialogue about caregiving, we
can illuminate its vital role and celebrate this universal and
essential act. Caregiving is truly an act of
(01:50):
love, whether it's tending to the soil to help plants grow,
nurturing a little one taking their first steps, or sitting on
a bench taking in the sun. We're honored that Prospect Park
is where Brooklyn nights come tocare for themselves and each
other. The park is truly a backbone
that we all rely on for comfort and connection, said Prospect
(02:10):
Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco.
The park is a natural fit as home to Monuments to motherhood,
as caregiving is embedded in so much of what we do at the
Alliance through our work sustaining natural areas,
fostering community, providing opportunities for Wellness and
more. Molly's work is a powerful
(02:32):
addition to Brooklyn S monument landscape and a step to ensure
monuments reflect and honor the people who shape our communities
through care and love. It is so fitting that Monuments
to Motherhood is taking its place in Prospect Park, just as
caregivers do. Our public green spaces make
communities safer and stronger, helping New Yorkers connect with
(02:55):
one another and find inspirationin the great outdoors.
In turn, we care for our public parks through stewardship,
ensuring these vital living resources remain resilient and
healthy for generations to come,said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue
Donoghue. We're proud to enhance our
public spaces with world class art installations like this,
(03:18):
sparking moments of delight and reflection for New Yorkers and
visitors alike. We're grateful to the artist and
our partners at the Prospect Park Alliance for bringing this
thought provoking piece to Brooklyn S backyard.
This series emerged from GachmanS investigation into the public
monument landscape, where she sought to challenge some of the
(03:39):
prevailing narratives she discovered dominated mostly by
depictions of white men and glorifications of acts of war,
and instead create a monument tothe immaterial and essential act
of care. Despite a national reckoning
over the US monument landscape in recent years, New York City S
public statuary remains deeply imbalanced.
(04:01):
According to City Hall, only 8 of New York City S-150 public
monuments honoring historical figures are women.
Through this installation, Gachman continues her work of
reshaping commemoration, offering a powerful reflection
on caregiving, community, and the narratives we choose to
(04:22):
elevate in public space. Gachman created the sculptures
in the Monuments to Motherhood series using armatures built
from repurposed household items such as bowls, plastic wrap, and
aluminum foil that symbolize thehidden labor of care.
These temporary structures served as the foundation for
(04:42):
looping layers of epoxy clay coils, reflecting an
interconnected network of relationships and mutual
support. She then cast the sculptures at
a large scale in bronze, A valuable material chosen for its
association with high art and the traditional language of
monuments, as well As for its ability to last longer than
(05:03):
other metals while still holdingthe potential for alchemical
changes. Participation is a central
feature in Gachman S artistic practice.
When visitors touch these sculptures, the natural oils
from their hands will, over time, subtly alter the patina.
That evolving surface echoes theunpredictable, ongoing and
(05:25):
enduring imprint of care in all of our lives through an act of
collective creation. The sculpture will be installed
just inside the north entrance to Prospect Park, in the
triangular patch of grass where East and West drives meet.
Nearby, the Soldiers and SailorsMemorial Archer Monument,
commemorating veterans of the American Civil War, stands
(05:48):
visible in the background, positioned just past the Green
Market Plaza, Monuments to Motherhood will be visible to
all runners, cyclists, Green Market shoppers and park goers
entering from the north, ensuring that the work remains A
focal point of the Park South daily life and movement.
(06:08):
The installation follows the February 2025 unveiling of
Monuments to Motherhood in the Memphis Medical District, where
three smaller human scale sculptures were placed on the
former side of the Confederate Nathan Bedford Forest Monument.
The Monuments to Motherhood project also includes a podcast
series of the same name, exploring themes of caregiving,
(06:31):
motherhood, art making and monumentalization.
The podcast serves as a companion to the installation,
expanding on its themes through conversations with Alliance
President Morgan Monaco and artists, activists and
caregivers such as Eve Biddle, Alexandra Bradner, Michelle
(06:52):
Browder, Diamond STYLZ Collier, Paul Farber, Lawanna Kimbrough,
Richard Louie, Mariah Moore and Ayesha Neandero.
As the sculpture debuts on the five year anniversary of the
COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, it also quietly acknowledges the
acts of care that sustained communities during that time and
(07:13):
continue to do so today. Monuments to motherhood at Grand
Army Plaza will remain on view through May 2026.
More details on upcoming programming will be announced in
the coming weeks. About Molly Gachman Molly is an
artist and activist deeply engaged in social practice and
(07:34):
focuses on activating spaces forprofound collective experiences.
Her practice encompasses A diverse range of mediums,
including photography, sound, installation, and sculpture.
Through these mediums, she oftenchallenges and subverts
conventional material boundariesto foster interaction, play,
(07:57):
exploration, and meaningful dialogue.
Molly frequently explores concepts encompassing human
connection, environment, and community, rooted in the belief
that life's experiences shape us.
Guided by the concept that life Leathers us, her works not only
aim to aesthetize but also reflect the passage of time
(08:18):
through weather, wear, and change.
Her practice continues to evolvewith a desire to actively engage
participants, inspire meaningfuldialogues, find commonality, and
discover shared human experiences.
Originally from Texas, Molly is currently based in New York.
(08:39):
About Monuments to Motherhood Molly Gochman asks.
Monuments to Motherhood is a series of sculptures honoring
the enduring support provided bycaregivers across generations.
Ranging from 4 to 15 feet tall, these structures invite
immersive experiences and tactile exploration, encouraging
(08:59):
reflection on themes such as labor, domesticity, and
community. Cast in bronze, a material
traditionally associated with grandeur and permanence, Molly
creates enduring forms that symbolize and elevate narratives
of caregiving. These sculptures are intended to
serve as sites of collective historical memory and are
(09:21):
designed to facilitate engagement, acting as gathering
points for discussions on the impact of caregiving.
About Prospect Park Alliance Prospect Park Alliance is the
nonprofit organization that sustains, restores, and advances
Prospect Park Brooklyn's backyard.
In partnership with the City of New York.
(09:44):
The Alliance provides critical staff and resources that keep
the park green and vibrant for the diverse communities that
call Brooklyn home. The Alliance cares for The
Woodlands and natural areas, restores the park S buildings
and landscapes, creates new parkdestinations, and provides free
or low cost volunteer education and recreation programs through
(10:07):
the work of the Alliance. Prospect Park is an
international model for the careof urban parks and one of the
premier green spaces in the United States.
Learn more at www.prospectpark.org.
About NYC Parks Art in the ParksProgram For nearly 60 years, NYC
(10:30):
Parks Art in the Parks program has brought contemporary public
artworks to the city S parks, making New York City one of the
world S largest open air galleries.
The agency has consistently fostered the creation and
installation of temporary publicart in parks throughout the five
boroughs. Since 1967, NYC Parks has
(10:53):
collaborated with arts organizations and artists to
produce more than 3000 public artworks.
By 1500, notable and emerging artists in more than 200 parks.
For more information, please visit NYC Gov Parks Art.
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