El Dorado – The New Forty Niners
El Dorado – The New Forty Niners is a public art installation by Cecile Chong. Making its way through the five boroughs of New York City since 2017, the installation pays tribute to the 49% of NYC households that speak a language other than English. Each year, the installation is displayed in a different borough, promoting ideas of transformation, immigration, and community. I had a chance to view it at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, near the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, in June 2022.
El Dorado – The New Forty Niners
El Dorado – The New Forty Niners, it is a multimedia exhibit by Cecile Chong as a tribute to 49% of New York City households that speak a language other than English. It was on display at the Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza from October 2021 through August 2022.
The installation consists of 100 small sculptures, each one representing a guagua, or swaddled baby, that pays tribute to the 49% of NYC households that speak a language other than English. 49% of the sculptures are painted gold to represent the city’s immigrant population, while the others are painted silver.
Cecile Chong, the artist behind El Dorado – The New Forty Niners, is a Brooklyn-based artist whose work explores the process of cultural assimilation and the development of individual identity. Her installation is a celebration of the many cultures that make up New York City, and a reminder of the importance of embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity.
Closing Thoughts on El Dorado – The New Forty Niners by Cecile Chong
El Dorado – The New Forty Niners by Cecile Chong is a powerful public art installation that celebrates the diversity of New York City’s immigrant population. The installation has been displayed in each of the five boroughs of New York City, one borough per year, since 2017. It has sparked important conversations about immigration, cultural identity, and the role of public art in promoting social change.
El Dorado – The New Forty Niners is a celebration of the rich cultural tapestry of New York City, and a reminder of the importance of embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity. Cecile Chong’s installation is a true work of art, and a fitting tribute to the many immigrants, such as me, who have made New York City their home.
This exhibit is a great reflection of the melting pot that is New York, which is something that I just take for granted as I have always been made to feel welcome here.
