New York, NY
Tomás Saraceno: Particular Matter(s)
A large-scale exhibition and sensory experience with spiderwebs, air, and the cosmic web
Free the Air is a large-scale sensory experience in which visitors perceive a concert of vibrations derived from the movement of particles through the air and how spiders relay information through vibratory mechanisms. The exhibition addresses environmental racism and justice, envisioning alternative ways of engaging with Earth’s atmosphere, and deepening an understanding of interspecies cohabitation and communication, in particular with spiders and their webs. Upper Level: This ticket includes entry to the 40-foot-high upper level of Free the Air (the sensory experience in The McCourt) AND the gallery exhibition. Lower Level: This ticket includes entry to the 12-foot-high lower level of Free the Air (the sensory experience in The McCourt), including a wheelchair-accessible platform, AND the gallery exhibition. Gallery Only: This ticket only includes entry to the gallery exhibition. For a ticket that includes the exhibition AND Free the Air, sensory experience in The Shed’s McCourt, please select the tab for Free the Air’s upper or lower level. The Level 2 gallery has low light. Free the Air runs eight minutes, but please allow approximately 30 minutes for ticket check, storing/gathering belongings, and entering/leaving the experience. All visitors must sign a safety waiver upon arrival at The Shed. Visitors to Free the Air must be at least eight years old and those under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian or provide a waiver signed by a guardian. Free the Air includes haze effects, low light, and moments of nearly total darkness. The upper and lower levels are made of stainless steel wire mesh that stretches when you move around on it. To prevent loose objects from falling through the net, you must check your belongings in a secure locker before entering the experience. Cell phones and cameras are NOT permitted on the upper level; they are permitted on the lower level. Visitors on the upper level can be seen from below; please dress appropriately to avoid unintended exposure. Wear flat-soled shoes; heels are not permitted in Free the Air. 45 visitors are admitted per time slot (25 on upper level, 20 on lower level). Masks are required to be worn at all times. Visitors in wheelchairs are encouraged to select a ticket for the lower level, which includes a platform accessed via a lift. The upper level net is accessed via eight flights of stairs. Assistive listening is provided by the free Listen Everywhere app over The Shed’s free Wi-Fi. All visitors 5 years and older must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before the date of their visit. Acceptable proof of vaccination includes a CDC-issued vaccination card, the NYS Excelsior Pass, the Clear Health Pass, and the NYC COVID Safe App; in addition, a government-issued photo ID is required for visitors 18 years and older. Visitors must wear a properly fitting mask covering their nose and mouth at all times while in The Shed, except when dining/drinking at Cedric’s in the lobby. Please email info@theshed.org or call (646) 455-3494 if you have questions.
Audience Role
Observer.
Ages: All ages
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About The Shed
The Shed is a new cultural institution of and for the 21st century. We produce and welcome innovative art and ideas, across all forms of creativity, to build a shared understanding of our rapidly changing world and a more equitable society. In our highly adaptable building on Manhattan’s west side, The Shed brings together established and emerging artists to create new work in fields ranging from pop to classical music, painting to digital media, theater to literature, and sculpture to dance. We seek opportunities to collaborate with cultural peers and community organizations, work with like-minded partners, and provide unique spaces for private events. The Shed was designed to break with the traditions that separate art forms and audiences. By minimizing social and economic barriers to entry, we offer a warm, welcoming space for innovation and dialogue. Embracing technology, we work with creative thinkers and partners to create transformational digital experiences on-site and online. Using our flexible infrastructure and operational capabilities, we can produce performances, exhibitions, events, and gatherings of almost any type in expansive, multiuse venues that allow for social distancing. Driven by our belief that access to new art and ideas is a right, not a privilege, we present engaging experiences and forge deep bonds between our artists and audiences. As an independent nonprofit that values invention, equity, and generosity, we are committed to advancing art forms, addressing the urgent issues of our time, and making our work impactful, sustainable, and relevant to the local community, the cultural sector, New York City, and beyond.