Walking Men 99 at 99 Church Street by artist Maya Barkai

Take a tour of the world’s “walk” symbols, see flowers spring out of a chain-link fence, or get lost in storybook garden. These are just three of the five new art concepts that have cropped up as part of the Alliance for Downtown New York’s latest Re:Construction installations.

This latest round, like the three prior, are part of a work zone–beautification program launched in 2007 by the Alliance, Lower Manhattan’s local Business Improvement District. Its goal is to take advantage of both active and stalled construction sites, where standard-issue fencing stands, and make them home to one-of-a-kind public art.

“Think of Re:Construction as an intervention to create a cheerful and welcoming environment in the midst of an urban renewal,” said Elizabeth Berger, Alliance president. “Lower Manhattan is in the middle of one of the greatest construction periods the nation has ever seen, with more than $30 billion worth of projects on 190 sites south of Canal Street alone. The volume of this work is a long-term blessing that can often seem like a short-term nightmare.”

Rendering Leonard, by artist Helen Dennis at 56 Leonard Street

Both public and private developers participate in the program, which typically consists of fence “wraps” designed by visual artists selected by the ADNY and its consultants -- though multimedia installments have also been used to creatively transform some barricades and scaffolds.

Several of the latest installations went up in late January, including “Walking Men 99” at Silverstein Properties’ 99 Church Street site, where work is on hold while financing issues are addressed. The 500-foot-long work consists of 99 versions of the “walk” symbol found on traffic signals around the world. “The ‘walking man’ is an international celebrity and one of our most recognizable figures,” says artist Maya Barkai. The piece will be exhibited for one year.

At the site of the East River Esplanade project, artist Katherine Daniels coordinated a 600-foot installation with the city Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) construction team. Daniels wove ribbon-like stitches of green and white materials into the South Street chain-link fence to evoke stems and vines, topped by recycled, painted spools and jar lids to convey the “flowers” in this angular garden. The piece strategically allows visitors views of the East River as well as the Esplanade work.

“The Re:Construction program is an ingenious way to help make the construction process more palatable for residents and visitors alike,” said EDC President Seth Pinsky. “I’d be surprised if these colorful artworks didn’t attract additional visitors and shoppers just to enjoy their special whimsy.”

Detail of artist Amy Wilson's work at West Thames Park

The final installation in this series is headed to Fiterman Hall in the coming weeks. “The O2 Project,” by artist Elinor Milchan, represents “a journey into a garden of air bubbles.” She says the air bubbles are “the purest metaphor for creating a sense of hope and recovery in an area charged with emotional memories.” Nearly 400 feet long, the work will decorate the plywood fencing on Barclay and Greenwich Streets.

The O2 Project at Fiterman Hall by artist Elinor Milcha

Other sites that have participated in Re:Construction over the past three years include the city’s Liberty Street Reconstruction project, Hudson River Park, 99 Washington Street, and the MTA’s Fulton Transit Center. The ADNY was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation’s Community Enhancement Fund for the Re:Construction program.

Artists from around the world have submitted to the program, which also promotes using modular and sustainable materials for the installations. The Alliance collaborates with artists, gallerists, curators, and other professionals to consult on the project and help select the participants.

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