Multidisciplinary artist MK Guth and 24 volunteers will transform giant cords fashioned from New Yorkers’ donated clothing into geometric shapes inspired by the spectacular architecture of the World Financial Center’s Winter Garden in a series of free performances from January 9th-12th. 

The colorful, braided cords will also be on display at a working exhibit that will wind through the World Financial Center’s Courtyard Gallery from January 6th - 24th. It is all part of “This Fable Is Intended For You: A Work-Energy Principle” a three-part free public art project co-presented by Arts>World Financial Center and Under the Radar Festival. 

Guth kicked off the project by spending five weeks this fall accepting clothing and fabric donations at a vacant flower shop at One New York Plaza. During the public residency, visitors were able to observe and interact with her as she sorted, stacked, sewed, and braided the materials.

The performances will feature 24 volunteers, including New Yorkers whom Guth met during the public residency. Signaled by the trumpet sounds of Gus Baum, the volunteers will move through the Winter Garden at a regular pace to construct shifting geometric shapes and forms inspired by the venue’s architecture. Audience members will be able to move to locations throughout the venue, such as the balconies and grand staircase, to observe the performance from different perspectives.

“This Fable Is Intended for Your aims to capture the rhythm of making in New York City, a place where energy is constantly being converted into something new – whether it be a power point presentation or a meal or a sculpture,” said Guth, whose work has also appeared at the 2008 Whitney Biennial and at the Melbourne International Arts Festival. “It’s an opportunity for the public to participate in common project from start to finish – from donating materials to observing the creation of the cords to experiencing the final exhibition and performances.”

“This Fable is Intended for You: A Work-Energy Principle” is the latest in a series of ambitious public art projects presented by arts>World Financial Center. With an emphasis on commissioned works, site-specific installations and premieres, arts>World Financial Center is the largest year-round, free performing arts and cultural presenter on the East coast.

“It’s exciting to support an artist in creating a work that so perfectly appreciates and engages with our distinct space and our equally distinct audience,” said Debra Simon, artistic director of arts>World Financial Center. “From using the multiple levels of the Courtyard Gallery and Winter Garden to their full advantage, to inviting members of the downtown community to participate in the performance as volunteers, this work perfectly embodies arts>World Financial Center’s mission.”

The performances of “This Fable is Intended for You” are part of Under the Radar Festival, the Public Theater’s annual festival spotlighting international artists ranging from emerging talents to masters in the field. The festival takes place from January 6^th – January 14^th, 2010.