The Chronicles of New York
The Chronicles concept brought to NYC — 30 days of casting and interviewing strangers to build a living city portrait.
For the third chapter of the Chronicles, JR chose New York City. In May and June 2018, the mobile studio was parked at 15 different locations around the five boroughs. JR and his team photographed 1,128 New Yorkers, from all walks of life, in their own neighbourhoods. Only through this artistic process can such a unique cross-section of the city be brought together in a mural. The aim is to tell a story of New York City today through art: its energy, its feats, its issues, its people. (Source: jr-art.net)
- Year
- 2019
- Hunter's role
- Cinematographer
- Director
- JR
- Type
- Art Installation
- Runtime
- Continuous (participatory mural with audio stories)
- Countries
- USA (New York City — all 5 boroughs, 15 locations: Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island)
Collaborators
- JR — Artist, Filmmaker, Photographer. Based in Paris and New York.
- Marc Azoulay — JR Studio Director
- Eyal Levy — International Producer, Artist, Cinematographer.
- Tasha Van Zandt
Awards
No traditional awards. Part of 'JR: Chronicles' — JR's first major retrospective in North America. Brooklyn Museum described JR as 'one of the most powerful storytellers of our time.' Exhibition later traveled to Saatchi Gallery, London.
Festivals
Brooklyn Museum 'JR: Chronicles' exhibition: October 4, 2019 – May 3, 2020 • Domino Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn: January–August 2020 (outdoor installation, collaboration with LOT-EK) • Kings Theatre, Flatbush + Brooklyn Academy of Global Finance, Bedford-Stuyvesant (murals) • Saatchi Gallery, London (later tour of JR: Chronicles)
Real-world impact
Gave visibility and voice to 1,128 New Yorkers from all 5 boroughs, many from underrepresented communities. Each participant controlled their own representation. Extended beyond museum to outdoor Domino Park installation (LOT-EK collaboration) and wheatpaste murals in Brooklyn neighborhoods. Part of JR's first major North American retrospective — the exhibition itself traced his 20-year career of community-based participatory art. Brooklyn Museum partnered with Brooklyn community organizations for local installations. Exhibition later traveled to Saatchi Gallery, London, expanding global reach.