Dear New York utilized Grand Central’s historic waiting room and primary event space to stage two blended exhibitions. The first exhibition featured eleven professional photographers from across New York who’ve dedicated themselves to documenting their own communities. The second featured several hundred NYC school-students who were invited to photograph and profile someone in their community who has made an impact.The two concepts were blended into a single installation designed by David Korins. The professional and student artists were treated with equal dignity, and the work of all participants were displayed in museum quality framing. Originally designed to hold 300 photographs— the exhibit was expanded at the last minute through the use of digital frames to make space for all 600 students who submitted their work. On Saturday October 12th, Grand Central’s first wedding in fifteen years was scheduled to take place in Vanderbilt Hall. The entire Vanderbilt Hall installation was deconstructed, stored off-site, and reconstructed in 36 hours. The wedding, of course, would become part of Dear New York.
