Feel the rhythm. Moving Chains is before you. A monumental 110-foot kinetic sculpture. It’s the second chapter of Charles Gaines’ The American Manifest. This isn’t just art. It’s a powerful statement. Moving Chains confronts the legacy of slavery in America.
The American Manifest is a multimedia exhibition. It spans New York City and Cincinnati Ohio. Moving Chains is the largest public art commission on Governors Island. It’s a deeply immersive experience. It engages visitors with the complex histories of Governors Island and the United States.
Moving Chains is built from steel and sustainably harvested Sapele wood. This African Mahogany creates a striking visual effect. Nine custom-made chains weigh over 1600 pounds each. They move overhead. Eight chains mirror the currents of New York Harbor. One central chain moves faster. It mimics the pace of ships and barges. The combined weight and motion create a rhythmic undulating loop. The sounds evoke New York Harbor at the entrance to the Hudson River.
The Lenape called this river Mahiacantuck. It meant ‘the river that runs two ways’. This waterway became a pivotal part of the transatlantic slave trade. It fueled the system of racial capitalism in the United States. Moving Chains stands facing the Statue of Liberty. This is a potent juxtaposition. The Statue is a symbol of freedom. Moving Chains highlights the ongoing legacy of slavery.
The artwork encourages reflection. It makes people confront uncomfortable truths. Moving Chains isn’t merely a visual spectacle. It’s a call to action. It challenges viewers to consider the nation’s economic judicial and political systems. These systems continue the legacy of slavery today. A conference will accompany Moving Chains. This will delve into abolition and the limits of the law.
Moving Chains is a collaboration. It involves Creative Time Governors Island Arts and Times Square Arts. The project team includes architects engineers and fabricators. They came from across the United States. Their hard work resulted in a breathtaking and thought-provoking masterpiece. Walk through Moving Chains. Experience its rhythm. Let it resonate with you long after you leave. This is Moving Chains a monumental work of art that demands attention. It compels us to examine the past and build a better future.