The Big Apple Visits the Pearl of the Indian Ocean
Landmarks of New York Photo Exhibition Opens in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO – February 25, 2007: The Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to announce the arrival of an exhibition of photographs entitled “Landmarks of New York.” The exhibition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, contains 81 photographs of New York City landmarks commissioned to mark the 40th anniversary of New York’s Landmark Preservation Act. The exhibition, which is being brought to more than 50 countries worldwide, highlights the vitality, diversity and history of New York through its landmarks.
Ambassador Robert Blake invited 500 artists, photographers, architects and fans of “the Gotham” to the Monday night opening at the Lionel Wendt Arts Center. “The U.S. Embassy has brought this exhibit here to display New York's success in preserving its architectural patrimony, and more broadly, to illustrate the value Americans put on preserving our national heritage," said Ambassador Blake.
The Exhibit features a diversity of photographs including civic buildings, factories, office towers, universities, museums, parks and houses of worship. By celebrating both well known structures such as the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, and less known landmarks such as the Little Red Lighthouse in Manhattan, the exhibition will offer the viewers an opportunity to look into the history of New York’s people, their aspirations and values from the 1640’s to the present day. Each photo is accompanied by a description of the significance of the landmark and its importance to the life and social fabric of the City. In many instances, New York City was a pioneer and many of its purpose-built structures became models for the rest of the country.
One thing these landmarks have in common is their shared role in the growth of the built environment and the social growth of the United States. Processing centers for early immigrants, housing and schools, and museums and public libraries all combined to provide a young, growing country with the kinds of institutions it needed to nurture its citizens. The images offer a positive vision of hope and freedom.
This exhibition carries an important message to international audiences about institutions and ideas that Americans hold dear. “People may think of New York as a vast city punctuated by a towering built landscape, but this exhibition illustrates the values of social cohesion, respect for heritage and the strength of public institutions that New Yorkers and all Americans are committed to,” said Public Affairs Counselor Terry White. “This is especially poignant as we look back to the events of 9-11, and look forward as New York plans the re-development of Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan. It also is a reminder of the work that lies ahead in repairing the damage from hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, a city rich in American culture and architecture,” added Mr. White.
The exhibition will be displayed in two cities in Sri Lanka. The Harold Peiris Gallery of the Lionel Wendt Arts Center will host the exhibition 10:00AM to 7:30 PM from February 27 – March 10, except for Poya Day, while the Public Library in Galle will host the exhibit 9:00AM to 6:30PM from March 14 – 19.
As a companion to the exhibition, the American Center will show a two hour episode from the award winning “New York, a Documentary Film” free to the public every Tuesday evening in March at 6:30 PM. The American Center is located at 44 Galle Road next to the Indian High Commission.
The exhibit is organized by the U.S. Department of State and will travel through over 40 cities in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America from January 2006 - April 2008.