The Path: A Meditation of Lines
Public Unveiling | Tuesday, October 1, 5–6pm
The Path: A Meditation of Lines Artist-Led Audio Guide
Also available on Bloomberg Connects
Public Programming & Events
MOVE WITH MEANING: A Free Meditation Series with TherapArt
Morning & Midday Sessions | Monday – Friday, October 2 – November 20, 2024
Register for Meditation Sessions
DRIFTING: Weekly DJ sets curated by 8 Ball Radio
Every Friday 5–7pm, October 4 – November 15, 2024
This fall, Shantell Martin encourages New Yorkers to pause and find a meditative moment in Times Square with The Path: A Meditation of Lines, the artist’s first-ever walking path painted onto the Broadway plaza between 47th and 48th Streets. Designed to transform one of the city’s busiest places into a space for contemplation, the 160-ft long mural will be accompanied by guided meditations, performances, and DJ sets.
Featuring Martin’s signature black-and-white drawings that playfully explore themes of intersectionality and self-discovery, The Path: A Meditation of Lines is a sprawling walking maze that invites viewers to navigate its intricate lines. As one follows the twisting, turning path north, the words "You are in the right place at the right time" appear along with other phrases that signify the forward motion of a journey, whether physical or metaphorical, that might be possible through contemplation and inward reflection.
"Walking, much like drawing, can empower you and move you forward — both metaphorically and physically. Putting one foot in front of the other is a simple yet powerful act, and I hope that this message and activity can be translated through this project with Times Square." — Shantell Martin.
On view and accessible to the public 24/7, The Path: A Meditation of Lines will be accompanied by an audio guide voiced by Martin; free, in-person facilitated meditations; musical performances; and dedicated walking sessions for Times Square’s local communities, from office workers, theater staff, and sanitation workers to seniors and students.
Public Programming
All programs are free and open to the public, but registration is strongly encouraged to stay up to date on potential schedule changes. These events are intentionally designed to welcome all, but please email arts@timessquarenyc.org with any mobility and accessibility concerns and accommodation requests.
October 2 – November 20, 2024
MOVE WITH MEANING at The Path: A Meditation of Lines
Meditation sessions in partnership with TherapArt
With Ash Rucker, Movement Facilitator
Monday/Wednesday/Friday | Morning Sessions: 9–9:30am
Tuesday/Thursday | Midday sessions: 12–12:30pm
Register for Free In-Person 30-min Meditation Sessions
Join us for a free, in-person guided meditation series including movement and art therapy practices that encourage presence and mindfulness with Ash Rucker, movement facilitator and founder of the non-profit TherapArt.
October 4 – November 20, 2024
DRIFTING at The Path: A Meditation of Lines
Weekly DJ sets curated by 8 Ball Radio
Fridays | 5–7pm
We’re closing out each week at The Path with a live DJ series featuring b2b sets curated by 8 Ball Radio. Take a moment to reset before the weekend with sounds inspired by Shantell’s artistic and meditative practice.
Friday, October 4: antron & Ratgirl
Friday, October 11: Sola System & Sukanya
Friday, October 18: YOYOCORP, Trap Burrito & R3DN3CKPR1NC3SS
Friday, October 25: ethereal.mvp & Mogens
Friday, November 1: o.negative & Anito Soul
Friday, November 8: John Johnson & Rizi Bizi
Friday, November 15: Mica & Mad
Wednesday, November 20: wahala.wav & Phonozar
After experiencing Martin’s walking path in Times Square, you can continue your journey through Midtown Manhattan to visit the artist’s exhibition at Rockefeller Center, featuring large-scale wall drawings, installations, and public programming — all presented by Art Production Fund and on view from September 4 to November 7, 2024. Learn more about the Art in Focus installation.
Painting services for The Path: A Meditation of Lines done by Colossal Media.
Heller’s Limbo seating and side tables have been generously provided by Heller for those attendees who wish to sit, pause, and take in the artwork.
A special thanks to Kamey Butler, Ben Shepee, Misha Lindes, Aaron Wade and Interior Design Magazine for their creative support.
ABOUT SHANTELL MARTIN
A multifaceted artist celebrated for her public artwork and known for her work across various disciplines, Shantell Martin has achieved notable success in the realms of fine art, education, design, philosophy, and technology. Her journey includes collaborations with prestigious institutions such as MIT Media Lab, NYU Tisch ITP, and Columbia University’s Brown Institute, as well as choreographing for the Boston Ballet. Martin's art explores themes like intersectionality, identity, and play, and she has showcased her work with renowned institutions, including Governors Island Arts, the Denver Art Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the 92Y Gallery in New York, Albright Knox Gallery, and the New Britain Museum of American Art. Her involvement in media and technology innovation, particularly at the Brown Institute for Media Innovation, highlights her role in integrating visual art with storytelling and technology.
To learn more about Shantell Martin’s work you can visit her website at https://shantellmartin.art or follow her on social media:
Instagram: @shantell_martin
Twitter/X: @shantell_martin
Youtube: ShantellMartin
Facebook: ShantellMartinArtist
ABOUT ASH RUCKER
Founder of TherapArt, Ash Rucker is an inspirational art therapy method exploring meditation, movement, dance, and creative play. Aimed at youth in chaos, trauma survivors, and those suffering from emotional heaviness, Rucker catalyzes the release of disruptive feelings and trapped emotions. Rucker founded TherapART in 2017 after struggling with the anguish of a sibling suffering from addiction and incarceration.
A gifted dancer and passionate creative, she formed her unique method using meditation, dynamic movement and creative play as an alternative to traditional therapy. The results and breakthroughs were incomparable. Doubling down on how effective it was on adults, she’s been paying it forward from the beginning. Focusing on youths significantly affected by the criminal justice system, helping them to work through the release of emotional barriers that limits their future lives. A trained yoga teacher and graduate of the Institute of Transformative Mentoring (ITM) at The New School and Columbia University (BTB Fellowship) she has facilitated TherapArt workshops both nationally and internationally. Ash has called New York Home since 2011.
ABOUT THERAPART
Through movement, art, dance, and music, TherapArt is committed to working with communities and individuals of all backgrounds on new ways to heal, play, and practice self-love through creative expression, dance, movement, arts, and music.
Through all of our programs,TherapArt’s mission is to guide individuals through unique journeys of self discovery; provide safe, brave and sacred spaces for vulnerability; and drive positive conversation around Art Therapy.
TherapArt also raises funds to support Art Therapy programs throughout NYC.
ABOUT 8BALL RADIO
Winner of the Mixcloud Online Radio Awards 2018 Listeners' Choice - Best Online Radio Station - North America, 8 Ball Radio is a volunteer-run, public-access, online radio station operating in New York City. Listen to live shows at 8ballradio.nyc.
Support for The Path: A Meditation of Lines is provided in part by Morgan Stanley, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and additional in-kind support from the Times Square Edition Hotel.
