Toxic Gowanus' Putrid Stench Will Mix With Blue Skies In Idealistic Artist's Project

GOWANUS, BROOKLYN — Flags made by a Gowanus-based artist are designed to transform the putrid, poisonous sludge of the canal into beautiful blue of the sky. At least, that's the view of their very idealistic creator.

Katarina Jerinic's project, Cloud Drift, will fly on the bridges at Union, Carroll, Third and Ninth streets between June 21 and September 21.

Each flag depicts the poisonous waste and floating debris on the surface of the canal directly below, as well as the surrounding skies, signs and structures. The images will be blue and, as the wind sweeps through the flags, the blue reflection on the putrid waters will transform them into the serene skies.

We can always hope.

There will be an opening event at the Gowanus Canal Souvenir Shop on June 21 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. There will also be two workshops at ArtLab with Brooklyn Brainery on July 8th and with Gowanus Canal Conservancy on August 5th.

“Cloud Drift is a poetic reinterpretation of our beloved canal, referencing the industrial processes that made it so filthy, and anticipating a cleaner future when Gowanus will be blue again," said Gowanus Canal executive director Andrea Parker.

Lead image via Joseph O. Holmes/Flickr