Project by Mihika Pawar @mihika.pawar
This project examines how land in Central Park is claimed not only through physical control, but through forces that act upon it over time. Building on earlier studies of rubbings as records of pressure, the project reads shadow as a contemporary form of influence. Historically, the site shifted from Lenape ecological stewardship to Dutch-imposed property systems, enabling the formation of Seneca Village and its eventual displacement through eminent domain. Today, surrounding real estate continues to shape the park through projected shadows, which extend deeper into its interior, gradually reducing sunlight.
In response, the project proposes a yearly winter solstice ritual in which volunteers trace the boundary between sunlight and shadow, place mirror beacons to reflect light back into shaded areas, and plant vegetation within the shadow footprint. Over time, this process creates a living palimpsest, making visible the evolving pressures of the city on the park.
