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Catch — & — Release is a participatory design project that aims to capture and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of a community in a time of crisis. South Street Seaport is a waterfront neighborhood with a strong maritime tradition that has historically subsisted on its proximity to water, and was one of the areas hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy.  Catch — & — Release hopes to recognize, and make public and visible the neighborhood’s resilient spirit.

Come and join us on Saturday January 11, 2014, 2-6PM (special remarks and presentations will start at 3:00PM)  to catch your thoughts, hook your messages of gratitude and help build a public dialogue around the future of this place  neighborhood and beyond. As the messages accumulate, this installation will become a visible symbol of the unity and shared visions of the South Street Seaport community.

In February 2014 (exact date TBD), all the messages will be released to their recipients in a public ceremony of gratitude and recognition. A series of programs will follow throughout the Spring offering participants the opportunity to collectively build a shared vision and social network of the South Street Seaport community.

Catch — & — Release is part of AIGA/NY’s Design/Relief initiative, a participatory design project that aims to help the neighborhoods of South Street Seaport, Red Hook, and the Rockaways imagine a more vibrant future for themselves as they overcome the lingering effects of Superstorm Sandy. This special project of the New York chapter of AIGA (the nation’s leading professional association of graphic designers) explores the potential of design in defining and expanding creative placemaking to positively transform communities. Design/Relief is supported by an innovation grant from ArtPlace America.

Catch — & — Release was prepared for the New York State Department of State Office of Coastal, Local Government and Community Sustainability with funds provided under Title 11 of  the Environmental Protection Fund. Catch — & — Release was developed by Yeju Choi (designer), with Francesca Birks and Josh Treuhaft (community engagement strategists), and Cristian Fleming and Stephanie Lukito (storytellers). This installation was designed and built by Yeju Choi, with Chat Travieso, Heechan Kim, and Chris Fox.
WHERE: Design/Relief box is under the FDR (at South St & John St)

DESIGN/RELIEF INITIATIVE IS SUPPORTED BY: