An Extraordinary Community

NEW YORK, NY—In a city often defined by concrete and soaring steel, the work of artist Keith De Cesare serves as a vibrant, essential counterpoint, a celebration of the ephemeral, the endangered, and the power of shared human experience. De Cesare, a New York City native, is swiftly redefining the role of public art, moving it beyond mere spectacle to a powerful tool for ecological activism and community engagement. His signature is not a single medium but a philosophy: making "the invisible visible" and democratizing communication by bringing poignant, mission-driven art into publicly accessible, open-air spaces.

Drawing inspiration from a Franciscan upbringing and the Bauhaus principle, De Cesare’s practice resides at a potent intersection of art, engagement, and activism. He employs a striking visual vocabulary, often utilizing industrial and biodegradable materials to articulate urgent environmental and social narratives. For De Cesare, art is not just a reflection of shifting landscapes, but a catalyst—a way to preserve untold stories and compel collective action. This commitment to conservation is seen as an intrinsic part of his artistic expression.

The core of the installation was a dual effort: ecological revitalization and immersive education, a synergy of historicaland contemporary vision. Modular raised-bed planters, filled with native milkweed and pollinator-friendly flora, established a temporary habitat, mirroring the terrace's original meadow state. This living installation  was coupled with a partnership with the Inwood Butterfly Sanctuary, ensuring a true connection to local biodiversity efforts.

A hallmark of De Cesare's work is its interactive and kinetic dimension. For "Wings of Hope," he installed a mesmerizing "Dance of the Winds" display, utilizing thousands of feet of biodegradable orange safety tape and ripstop fabric. The lightweight, durable ribbons, attached to the wrought iron gates and integrated throughout the site, would flutter in the slightest breeze, becoming kinetic wind sculptures that visualized the unseen forces of nature—the very environmental cues that guide the monarchs on their journey.
Visitors were invited into this shared journey. Small, wind-activated markers and "safety flags" were available for relocation, a symbolic act that allowed the public to participate in the butterfly’s epic migration path.

By employing simple materials—like the humble kite in the related "Pocket Kites" activity—De Cesare makes the complex message of ecological fragility accessible, especially to children. The installation is a contemporary echo of the site’s namesake, suggesting that if Audubon were alive today, he might be similarly captivated by the plight of the monarch, dedicating his estate not just to painting, but to cultivating host plants that ensure their survival.

Keith De Cesare is not merely decorating public space; he is transforming it into a site of conscience—a place where art enhances the community spirit that is felt, and where the visual landscape seen contributes directly to the healing and inspiration needed to protect the natural world. De Cesare’s dedication to empathy and compassion for his causes is palpable in the final aesthetic. His work is undeniably beautiful, a dazzling infusion of color and movement against the stone and iron of the city. This beauty, however, is not gratuitous; it is a therapeutic force used to draw attention to threatened elements.