Grand Opening of “The Golden Door Mini-Golf Course” at Hamilton Square on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, 6PM-10PM.
Inspired by the city’s prosperous history, ten artists and collaborative artist teams were invited to create golf holes that portray their interpretations of “The Golden Door” by referencing immigration, economic mobility, and obstacles, as well as solutions and various ways to achieve success. The exhibit is designed by Risa Puno, curated by Christina Vassallo. Each hole is not only designed to be functional but also possesses a unique artistic twist that captures the artists’ imagination and originality.
Following the June 23rd grand opening, the golf course will be open to the public daily from 10AM to dusk until Labor Day. A round of mini-golf is $5 per person, $4 for Jersey City Museum members. Everyone is welcome to play on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Participating Artists
ASHA GANPAT, Arrival
This golf green depicts the immigrant experience, in which the ball represents the person migrating to the United States.
DARREN JONES & RYAN ROA, Royal and Ancient This golf green depicts the immigrant experience, in which the ball represents the person migrating to the United States.
Within the context of the game’s Scottish immigration history in the US and the circumstances that brought it here, this L-shaped golf green references “a corner turned”— from Clan Chief Macleod of Macleod.
TOM MCGLYNN, Pilgrim’s Progress
This golf green has multiple starting points and outcomes—a gaming strategy used to communicate the clash between agency and chance that is characteristic of the immigration experience.
HIROSHI KUMAGAI, The Long Narrow Way to Heaven
Hiroshi Kumagai draws on his own immigration experience from Japan and uses an extremely long and narrow fairway in order to convey the hope associated with going through the Golden Door, as well as the difficulties of just reaching it.
AMANDA THACKRAY, High Road vs. Low RoadIn this patchwork fairy-tale jungle, Amanda Thackray focuses on the decision-making process. What initially appears to be the easy or “low” road may contain impossible obstacles and surprises along the way.
VICTORIA CALABRO, Stairs of Separation
Victoria Calabro references passing through an emotional hasty medical and legal exams through models of the Stairs of Separation and an immigrant boat, as well as the footprint of the golf green, which alludes to the structure of Ellis Island.
KAI VIERSTRA, The Sneek Snake
Kai Vierstra drew his inspiration from his grandfather. The water courses form a cast of the artists’ father’s face. It powers a wheel that controls access to a narrow bridge and is adorned with milk bottles to allude to his family's start in the U.S. as dairy workers.
LAURA NAPIER, Empty Your Wallet
In this golf green, Laura Napier shows us that certain attributes might make passage through the Golden Door easier. Strategy and cleverness are often the only tools that are left in the absence of desired financial or physical attributes.
NYUGEN E. SMITH, The Glass Ceiling
The obstacles impeding one’s putting experience on this golf green—sculptures of tenement buildings and suitcases, ramps, and false exits—signify the invisible barrier known as the glass ceiling. In Nyugen E. Smith’s design, the elements of luck and chance are just as important as skill.
RISA PUNO, Leap of Faith
The player is required to surrender to the uncertainty of the putting experience on this bonus hole. It is Risa Puno’s intention that the player is rewarded for actively taking a deep breath and reaching for the stars. The loop-de-loop makes aiming a difficult task but with a dose of luck, the player might just win an adjustment to his or her score.
For more information please check www.jerseycitymuseum.org, www.thegoldendoor.tumblr.com, or follow on www.twitter.com/goldendoorjcm
this project has been made possible by the Silverman brothers, Congressman Frank J. Guarini and the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), in collaboration with Jersey City Museum and Liberty National.
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