Katleen Vermeir

extension#THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK (FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THE PRESENT)
extension#THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK (FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THE PRESENT)extension#THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK (FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THE PRESENT)extension#THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK (FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THE PRESENT)extension#THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK (FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THE PRESENT)extension#THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK (FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THE PRESENT)

The title of the project is an adaptation of the title of Washington Irving’s book, in which he invented a history for the still young city of New York. The video shows me walking in the city, drawing chalk lines or writing words. For example the outlines of former marshes or old place names, or the old Indian trails that where used for seasonal migrations on Manhattan island. I also draw and write on places were a building or a park was proposed but never built. The action of drawing looks absurd, the crowd passing by does not experience this layering of time and the possibilities of alternative histories…