“Follow The Yellow Brick Road - I Was Here” is a site-specific installation at Center For Book Art. The digital composite, “I Was Here”, came from a photograph that was shot in 1989 at the corner of my studio on 26 St. and 10th Ave. I added a photograph of The High Line and a street sign that reads I Was Here on the side of the block I once occupied into a composite, exposing the evolution of the neighborhood during the 30+ years I have been there. “I Was Here” is placed with “Follow The Yellow Brick Road”, which employs maps (1997, 2004, and 2009), from a now-defunct Gallery Guide publications, eliciting the yellow brick road followed by Dorothy in the Land of Oz. The installation displays the changes to the gallery landscape and is analogous to the hopes artists have as they begin their careers. Although the galleries come and go, the survival and perseverance of the artist continues despite the challenges. In light of the current situation as a result of the pandemic, this further highlights the struggles and prompts us to question what it means to be successful in times of decay and uncertainty.

Arlene Rush

Arlene Rush