Manifest Destiny Mural

Alexis Rockman, the artist of Manifest Destiny believes that the two most pressing issues facing society as we know it are the bio-tech revolution and global warming. In this copy of the original work, Manifest Destiny he offers a vision of Brooklyn 3,000 years into the future following global warming induced sea-level rise. The submersion of the borough displaces human activity and existence with an aquatic seascape. Like much of Rockman’s work, this piece blurs the lines between science and fantasy, depicting an image of disaster caused by human neglect.

The piece is on loan from the private collection of Theodore Kheel, one of New York’s most influential labor negotiators. Mr. Kheel has been a vital force in creating some of New York’s environmental and sustainability concerned organizations including CISC. An event honoring Mr. Kheel and the artist Alexis Rockman is planned for later this semester.

The Manifest Destiny mural by Alexis Rockman is currently hanging at Hunter College

Ted Kheel Video

Art and Sustainability for Ted Kheel
Ted Kheel, the co-founding father of the Institute has a vision for the city that connects people to their natural environments through art. As part of an Independent Study with the MFA program at Hunter College, student Alison Byrne will be creating a short film on Kheel’s vision of a more sustainable New York.

Flyers from Past Events

• Focus the Nation [PDF]
• Governors Island 2007 [PDF]
• The Humane Metropolis [PDF]
• Peak Oil and Climate Uncertainty [PDF]