For immediate release:
June 22, 2008

FIGMENT MEDIA EVENTS
Friday, June 27th at 10:15 AM (Event Kick-off/Press Preview of artist-created mini-golf)

Saturday, June 28th at 10:15 AM (Featuring James Surowiecki, artists, preview performance)

FERRY LEAVES AT 10 AM AND ON HALF HOUR FROM THE BATTERY MARITIME BLDG

FIGMENT 2008 ANNOUNCES PRESS PREVIEWS JUNE 27 & 28TH, 10:15 AM  
Exclusive Pre-opening Tour of Artist-Created Mini-Golf Course on Gov. Island FRIDAY

Members of the press are invited to attend one of TWO media events to mark the opening of the first two days of Figment 2008, the free participatory arts event happening June 27-29 on Governor’s Island. Both events will take place on Pershing Hall (Building 15) on Governors Island (see map). Refreshments will be served.

Over 10,000 people are expected to participate in Figment, and given the over 200 artists involved, the organizers will give the press a preview of the many activities, installations, and performances that will take place at Figment, and show where they will happen all over the island.

A brief selection of event highlights includes: Click! A talk by James Surowiecki about art and “the Wisdom of the Crowds” in conjunction with the Brooklyn Museum); a performance-art homage to Coney Island, Circus Sideshow; an artist-conceived and built City of Dreams 9-hole Mini-Golf course; Anakin Koenig’s inflated sculpture “Bracelet”’ interactive art works, sound installations and collaborative video; environmental activities and sculpture; various dance workshops, face painting, knitting performances bicycle-powered ice cream churning; interactive art works, costume giveaways, roving bands and so much more, see http://figmentnyc.org.

What is FIGMENT?
FIGMENT 2008 is a free 3-day participatory art event on Governors Island from 10 am -6 pm from June 27-June 29th. It is a non-profit, non-commercial, 100% volunteer-produced event. The public is invited to visit the island and participate in highly interactive and collaborative exhibits, performances, events, and workshops across all media. The event is appropriate and fun for all ages.

Fortification, a fundraiser for Figment (FREE), will take place on Saturday, June 28th, from 6 pm to midnight at Castle Clinton, Battery Park ($10 donation, 21+).

ABBREVIATED LIST OF EVENTS/ART PLANNED FOR FIGMENT

(Note: more than 200 artists and over 100 volunteers are involved in FIGMENT 2008.)

• James Surowiecki’s talk on how "Wisdom of the Crowds" applies to art
• Coney Island USA/ArtLab "Circus Sideshow" interactive art installation and performance
• "Say Nothing" interactive video performance/social experiment
• "Shaking Hands" site-specific art installation on lawn of Gov. Island (artist prev. exhibited at PS 1)
• "Plastic Blanket" Brooklyn Arts Council sponsored art installation/performance on consumption
• Jean Assamoa's African Dance Workshop (activity)
• Quill Hyde's A Cavallo Horses (sculpture)
• Arbor Animus from Artists Working Forward (sculpture)
• Anakin Koenig's Bracelet (sculpture)
• Hugo Perez's Plastic Cubes (sculpture)
• Robert Bose's Skyline (sculpture)
  - Moldover's Octamasher (sound installation)
• “Is it me?” exhibit by Douglas Hart (sound installation)

Of special interest to kids and families:

• The Art of Skateboarding, homemade ramps constructed of recycled materials
  (art installation and artist talk)
• Museum of Natural History, “Be an Anthropologist,” explore the homes of nomadic peoples
• The Rose Petal Pool, children of all ages can interact with this rich sensory experience (multi-media sound installation)
• Maroguzcaju Theater Puppet Show, "Silencio, Silencio!," about finding happiness in life's details
• "Planetary Dance," participatory rhythmic circular dance (choreographed by instructors from NYC Expressive Arts Studio)
• "Plastic Blanket," Brooklyn Arts Council, art installation/performance piece about consumption
• Jean Assamoa's African Dance Workshop (activity)
• Quill Hyde's A Cavallo Horses (sculpture)
• Kevin Shultis's Seahorse on Parade (mobile sculpture)
• Patriot Pill by Twilight Camp (mobile sculpture)

ABOUT FIGMENT
FIGMENT (www.FIGMENTnyc.org) is held in partnership with the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC). A project of Action Arts League (http://actionartsleague.org), FIGMENT is produced by a coalition of volunteers in partnership with The Pure Project (http://thepureproject.com). FIGMENT is made possible, in part, with public funds from the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, which is supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

ABOUT THE GOVERNORS ISLAND PRESERVATION AND EDUCATION CORPORATION (GIPEC)
The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. A partnership of New York City and New York State, GIPEC seeks to bring Governors Island back to life, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future educational, not-for-profit and commercial facilities. For more information, please visit www.govisland.com.

GETTING TO GOVERNORS ISLAND:
The Governors Island Ferry departs every half hour during FIGMENT from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street, in Lower Manhattan. This is the old green building from 1908 that is immediately to the left of the Staten Island Ferry building on the East Side of Lower Manhattan.

To get to the Battery Maritime Building via public transport is by the #1 train to South Ferry Station (only stops at Chambers on SAT/SUN), the 4/5 trains to Bowling Green, or the W/R trains to Whitehall Street.

Figment Media Contact:
Rosemary Siciliano
FIGMENT Media Relations Director
207-332-9008
rosemary@figmentnyc.org