P.S. 958, Brooklyn, Collection of the NYC Department of Education, Public Art for Public Schools
Curious Tide is a public artwork by Allison Bianco at PS 958 Brooklyn. Inspired by the ocean and beaches on New York City’s coastlines, the work features a tile mural of waves, creatures, plants, animals, food, and objects influenced by local iconography. A dramatic interaction between water and sky foreshadows a physical shift of the oceanscape beneath, with unexpected objects and color designed to provide moments of humor and wonder. The weathering and entanglement expressed in the mural is linked to remembrances of shared and changing places.
Two circular mahogany shapes hang atop the tile mural, lending warmth and harmony to the architectural design of the lobby. One is a vibrant orange and the other is accented with deep purples and reds, reminiscent of setting suns on the horizon. Here, the bright colors serve as focal points and deepen the other-worldly sentiment within the seascape.
Special thanks to Ben Watkins, Images in Tile, BK Tile, Jed Cohen, Dakota DeVos and Tania Duvergne.
Curious Tide was commissioned by the NYC Department of Education, NYC School Construction Authority Public Art for Public Schools program, in collaboration with NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art program.