Manhattan Measured, Walked

With 30,000 red yardsticks on hand, New York artist Gene Schmidt is measuring the width and length of Manhattan. Each yardstick is numbered, used once, and later taken to Schmidt's studio and added to a sculpture. The pilgrimage/performance/art project, titled Manhattan Measure, was inspired by an ancient Hebrew text, but also parallels city walking "pioneers" like Mike Epstein.

Begun in in October of last year, Manhattan Measure is about two thirds completed. Starting August 24th Schmidt will measure Sheep Meadow in Central Park down 7th Avenue to Times Square. He hopes to reach Battery Park by the end of September. Spoiler alert! Manhattan is 13.4 miles long, 2.3 miles wide.

In other walking news (remember, the walking makes us healthy!), McBrooklyn discovered a site which calculates your Walk Score. This would probably be more helpful if one could deduct "walk score" points for things like ordering delivery and Fresh Direct. Also missing: Locations of subway stations!

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on August 16, 2007 5:39 PM

Comments [rss]

Reality Czech

I sthis guy getting paid to do this? Is he just a trustfunder with nothing better to do? Or does he do this after work? I don't get it and what's the point.

guest

But he is not making concession for elevation

i like #1 's idea

it would be interesting to see changes

of course is all a mood point because this guy doesnt care about accuracy because of what i note above

zodak

everyone's invited to my art project opening in soho this weekend wherein i map nyc using just 1 small electronic box. it's also an interactive project available to people all over the world just click here.

guest

This is good for all those female idiots paying 80 dollars a month for gym membership and only use the treadmill. Take the bus to the river, and go for a jog.

guest

Interesting. I actually think this is pretty neat compared to say..suspending a fly in a cup full of piss and selling it for 35 grand (although I envy that dude).

One thing though, from the picture provided, it doesn't look like dude is taking very precise measurements. Maybe that's part of it, but I'd want real precision accuracy. I'm real OCD like that.

-Ph

guest

30,000 yard sticks, HOLY COW! At, and I never weighed a yard stick but, even at one ounce a piece that would be over 1,875 pounds of yard stick. That's a lot of weight for an individual to carry on his back.

Bravo my good man.

guest

Since the "artist" has nothing better to do with his time, he should take the measurements at least four different times a year and compare his notes.

Depending on the temperature his yardsticks might be either too short or too long. Are they city board of standards certified?

Can I buy one of his yardsticks on Ebay? And do they come in other colors other than red?