By Elizabeth O’Brien
Next spring, Pier 54 could become the site of a “nomadic museum” and a traveling photography exhibition celebrating humankind’s relationship with animals.
“Ashes and Snow,” the exhibit by Canadian artist Gregory Colbert, is tentatively scheduled to occupy Pier 54 from March 5 through June 6 of next year, according to a source within city government who requested anonymity. The show will feature more than 100 large photographic works and a 56-minute film on the interactions among elephants, sperm whales, manatees, royal eagles, other exotic animals and humans.
The exhibit is being organized by the BiAnimale Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The temporary museum, designed by the renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, will be constructed from shipping containers and paper and will occupy 52,000 square feet.
Don MacPherson, chairperson of the Waterfront Committee of Community Board 2, said the board had not yet reviewed any detailed plans of the exhibits.
A spokesperson for Ruder Finn, a firm handling publicity for the event, said that plans were underway but not finalized.
Pier 54 is located just west of the West Side Highway at 13th St.
