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Lincoln Center is not letting the grass grow under its feet while its theaters remain shuttered by the pandemic — it will be rolling out a synthetic lawn to cover its 14,000 square foot concrete plaza this summer.
The area around the Revson Fountain will be transformed into a park setting as Lincoln Center rolls out the green carpet for outdoor performances in its Restart Stages initiative, announced in February.
Broadway set designer and MacArthur Genius grantee Mimi Lien was tasked with reimagining the center for the outdoor program — and has come up with “The GREEN” to contrast the classic stark white architecture of the arts complex. She hopes her creation will become an oasis for New Yorkers not only to enjoy performances, but also to come out and relax. She described the area in front of the Metropolitan Opera House as “a town green, a place to gather.”
“I wanted to make a place where you could lie on a grassy slope and read a book all afternoon,” Lien explained. “Get a coffee and sit in the sun. Bring your babies and frolic in the grass. Have a picnic lunch with co-workers.”
The artificial grass is made of recyclable material with a high soy content, sourced from American farms. The plaza will be open from 9am to midnight and there will be a pop-up snack bar and library (organized by New York Public Library for the Performing Arts) with books to borrow.
Henry Timms, CEO of Lincoln Center said: “We’re thrilled to launch ‘The GREEN,’ a space for New Yorkers to re-energize, and find inspiration and uplift.”
You can visit the Lincoln Center Green from May 10 through to September. Outdoor performance seasons started last week with a New York Philharmonic performance for essential workers. More details of what’s to come can be found at RestartStages.org.
What a wonderful idea! I look forward to visiting. Will there be benches or seats anywhere? Those of us with “older bones” would have difficulty sitting on the grass. (And getting up from it!)
This is so great to hear. Can’t wait to go!!! My question is will there be restrooms?
This sounds great! Mother Nature is much needed here in midtown! Color is lacking with all the Scaffolding and neutral shades of the buildings. Spring is here! Let’s enjoy it!!!