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Explore Your Park > Flushing Meadows Corona Park > Monuments > Etched Granite Pavement

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Etched Granite Pavement map_it

History

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

New York-based artist Matt Mullican (b. 1951) created this granite panel on which is etched the history of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park’s development, from prehistoric times through the World’s Fairs of 1939-40 and 1964-65. The 3,000-square-foot tableau consists of 464 four foot by four foot etched blocks that tell a hieroglyphic-like story of the park site, including the technological advances showcased in both World’s Fairs. The piece was installed in 1995 as part of Phase I of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park’s CORE area renovation around the Unisphere.

Mullican is known for his pictograph style, which he began to develop in the late 1970s after visiting Nova Scotia and noticing the ubiquitous informational graphic signs in the airport. He was active in the New York art world during the early 1980s, doing performance art pieces. His work can also be seen in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Museum. The installation of this piece was sponsored by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art program in conjunction with Parks and the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Corporation.

Etched Granite Pavement Details

  • Sculptor: Matt Mulligan
  • Architect: Miceli Kulik Williams
  • Description: Four hundred sixty-four square, smooth, inset blocks arranged in four groups
  • Materials: Black granite
  • Dimensions: Two groups 24' x 40'; two groups 8' x 45'; total area: 3,000 square feet
  • Cast: ca. 1994
  • Dedicated: 1995
  • Donor: Percent for Art

Please note, the NAME field includes a primary designation as well as alternate namings often in common or popular usage. The DEDICATED field refers to the most recent dedication, most often, but not necessarily the original dedication date. If the monument did not have a formal dedication, the year listed reflects the date of installation.

For more information, please contact Art & Antiquities at (212) 360-8143

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