New York City’s rooftops as convergences of the sacred and the commercial
In late 2019, artist Karin Ferrari (born 1982) came to New York City to research what she describes as “pseudosacred commercial architecture” for six months. “Pseudosacred” structures are particularly ubiquitous in the United States, where many casinos, banks, hotels, shopping centers, and wellness and entertainment facilities imitate and reference mythical and sacred building elements.
Spring 2020 turned out to be a special time for Ferrari’s visit. “When the metropolis emptied during the COVID-19 lockdown, it felt like I could really see the city for the first time,” she writes. “This is when I noticed a very special architectural phenomenon in Manhattan. Infrastructures, such as elevator shafts and water tanks, or multi-level penthouse units, which actually look a lot like places of worship, tower up on many New York City skyscrapers.” This compact and affordable volume collects Ferrari’s pictures of the city’s “rooftop temples” at a pivotal moment in the city’s history.
Featured image is reproduced from ‘Karin Ferrari: Rooftop Temples of New York City'.
FORMAT: Pbk, 5.25 x 8.5 in. / 308 pgs / 300 color. LIST PRICE: U.S. $25.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $34.5 ISBN: 9783903796225 PUBLISHER: Verlag für moderne Kunst AVAILABLE: 4/13/2021 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Out of print AVAILABILITY: Not available TERRITORY: NA LA ASIA AU/NZ AFR ME
Published by Verlag für moderne Kunst. Text by Bernhard Garnicnig.
New York City’s rooftops as convergences of the sacred and the commercial
In late 2019, artist Karin Ferrari (born 1982) came to New York City to research what she describes as “pseudosacred commercial architecture” for six months. “Pseudosacred” structures are particularly ubiquitous in the United States, where many casinos, banks, hotels, shopping centers, and wellness and entertainment facilities imitate and reference mythical and sacred building elements.
Spring 2020 turned out to be a special time for Ferrari’s visit. “When the metropolis emptied during the COVID-19 lockdown, it felt like I could really see the city for the first time,” she writes. “This is when I noticed a very special architectural phenomenon in Manhattan. Infrastructures, such as elevator shafts and water tanks, or multi-level penthouse units, which actually look a lot like places of worship, tower up on many New York City skyscrapers.” This compact and affordable volume collects Ferrari’s pictures of the city’s “rooftop temples” at a pivotal moment in the city’s history.
