Fosun to Host 10-Day Architectural Performance in Lower Manhattan

Fosun will host a 10-day live performance as part of the Performa 2017 biennial program. "The Newcomers," a durational architectural performance that spans both time and distance, will take place over ten days from November 10-19 on the landmarked plaza at 28 Liberty in Lower Manhattan.

"The Newcomers" is presented by American architects and artists Alex Schweder and Ward Shelley, with collaborators Lena Kouvela and Sarah Burns. The group builds and lives in an evolving nomadic structure that changes each day from temporary home to makeshift bridge in order to reach the next day's supplies along their route. The same materials are reconstituted into a shelter where the group spends the next night before moving again, challenging viewers of the architecture to think beyond permanence.

Since its inception, Performa has been a leader in commissioning artists whose work has collectively shaped a new chapter in the multi-century legacy of visual artists working in live performance. Founded by art historian and curator RoseLee Goldberg, the organization is dedicated to exploring the critical role of live performance in the history of 20th-century art, as well as its enormous significance in the international world of contemporary art.

"Fosun has made a long term commitment to arts and culture in both Lower Manhattan and in New York City," said Mr. Bo Wei, chief executive representative of Fosun Group in the U.S. and Vice President of Fosun Property Holdings. "Fosun is pleased to team up with Performa to host such an innovative piece of work on our iconic plaza."

Since acquiring 28 Liberty, Fosun has initiated a comprehensive repositioning program, including the lobby, elevators, critical infrastructure, and the creation of 200,000 square feet of retail space. Fosun also has activated the plaza, hosting a variety of community and cultural events throughout the year. Among recent events on 28 Liberty Plaza: Sing for Hope Pianos; Summer Movie Nights; Dine Around Downtown food festival; River To River arts festival, Craft Beer and Food Festival, and MoMath public math events.

Fosun International Limited is a family focused multinational company that has been listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (00656:HK) since 2007. Founded in 1992, Fosun's total assets exceed RMB500 billion (c.US$75 billion). With its roots in China, and through technology and innovation, Fosun's mission is to create customer-to-maker (C2M) ecosystems in health, happiness and wealth, providing high-quality products and services for families around the world.

Founded in 2004 by art historian and curator RoseLee Goldberg, Performa is the leading organization dedicated to exploring the critical role of live performance in the history of twentieth-century art and to encouraging new directions in performance for the twenty-first century. Since launching New York's first performance biennial, Performa 05, in 2005, the organization has solidified its identity as a commissioning and producing entity. As a "museum without walls," Performa contributes important art historical heft to the field by showing the development of live art in all its forms from many different cultural perspectives, reaching back to the Renaissance.

Celebrated worldwide as the first biennial to give special attention to this remarkable history, the Performa Biennial transforms the city of New York into the "world capital of artists' performance" every other November, attracting a national and international audience of more than 200,000 and garnering more than five million website hits during its three-week run. In the last decade, Performa has presented nearly 600 performances, worked with more than 700 artists, and toured commissioned performances in nearly 20 countries around the world.

The Performa curatorial team is led by Chief Curator RoseLee Goldberg, and includes Performa Curators Adrienne Edwards and Charles Aubin, with contributions from Performa Consortium curators. The Performa program is produced by Esa Nickle.

For more on Performa and its programs, including the Performa Biennial, visit 17.performa-arts.org.