Bring new life to the High Line, the old overhead railway line that runs along the West Side for over two kilometres. This ambitious objective was established in 2002 when a group of local businessmen came up with the idea of transforming the old line, built in the 1930s and abandoned for twenty years, into a city park.

The idea immediately met with approval and an international competition was set last year that received 700 entries. A winner was selected from these in October, a mixed team led by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and landscape architects Field Operations with horticulturalist Piet Oudolf and artist Olafur Eliasson. Their scheme is based on the notion of ‘Agri-tecture’, the flow and overlaying of different layers, partly man made and partly left to the ‘hand’ of nature. It begins with a long walkway lined with different kinds of flowers, grass and gardens.

In addition, to enrich the walkway, there will be spaces for open air performances and a swimming pool. While awaiting start on site, planned for November, New Yorkers can have a preview of the new High Line in an exhibition curated by Tina di Carlo. E.S.

The High Line
19.4.2005 – 11.7.2005
MoMA, Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53 Street, New York 
T +1-212-7089400
https://www.moma.org