WHITE HOUSE / GREENHOUSE is a functional greenhouse in the shape of the White House.
Originally commissioned by Real Art Ways of Hartford Connecticut in 1995 and installed at the Hartford Recycling Center, Hartford CT., White House/Greenhouse was built with metal studs and greenhouse plastic in the shape of the United States White House, dimensions: 50ft. x 15ft. x 14ft.
The front was painted to depict the façade of the Whitehouse, while the length of the back was the American Dollar Bill. It served as a functioning greenhouse, cultivating 200 roses, named for presidents, donated by Jackson and Perkins Co. The project highlighted issues of government transparency, environmental justice, voter participation and alternative energy.
In 1997 it was sponsored by The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and hosted by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. Installed in Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park, it was named one of the 50 best public art works in 50 years by the NYC parks Dept.
*In 2004, a smaller, mobile version, titled “Our House” was constructed, mounted on a trailer and towed by a biodiesel truck. It toured and exhibited at locations across the country.
- Battery Park, New York (NY), 1996
- Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, Hartford (CT)
