Nyack Window Project: “Santa Causes”

by Ashley Tedino
Today’s featured installation from The Nyack Window Project offers both whimsy and food for thought: Santa Causes by Ed Kirkland.
The Nyack Window project is an annual streetscape exhibition that pairs visual artists with local landlords to create original installations in downtown Nyack storefronts.

“Santa Causes” Ed Kirkland

Harlem born Kirkland was put to the test because he wanted to build an attractive ‘safe for children’ window in these gloomy post-election days. Kirkland twisted together current news events and the innocence of being a kid in our post modern world. Kirkland wants viewers to “come see his diverse battalion of smiling beefeaters.” In ironic fashion, wooden soldiers are prepared with glitter and hold up protest signs that in reality state that “Elf Lives Matter.” Kirkland has a special message for all his viewers and elves, “Wishing you all a Happy New Year. May all be afforded and protected by equal rights and opportunity, to love and be loved, to receive equal pay for their work, and pretty please God, may all Elf Lives Matter. That’s what I want for Christmas.”
Santa Causes is on display through the end of January in the windows of the Athene building at the corner of Main Street and Broadway in Nyack. Kirkland’s entry in the 2016 Nyack Window project was sponsored by Weld Realty.

The project was coordinated by the Village of Nyack Recreation department. Nyack News And Views is a participating sponsor, along with The Time Nyack hotel, Christopher Street Financial, Rand Commercial Realty, Weld Realty, Nyack Hospital, Senator David Carlucci, Nancy Blaker Weber, Kim-Adele Rosner, Nyack Mayor Jennifer Laird White, Don Hammond and Thom Kleiner, Amos Friedland and Phoebe Ryder, Denise and Adam Lipson, Jennifer Smith, Edward Hopper House and Maura’s Kitchen.

2016 Nyack Window Project locations. Illustration by Shawna Handke.

• Nyack Window Project Featured Installations
  • Our Finest Gifts We Bring, 01/02/2017
  • Wonder Winterland, 01/01/2017
  • Santa Causes, 12/31/2016
  • Nighthawks, 12/30/2016
  • Wonder Winterland, 12/29/2016
  • 2′ x 4′ x Tree, 12/28/2016
  • Starry Night/Disco Look, 12/27/2016
  • Whirligig, 12/26/2016
• Nyack Window Project, 2016 Edition, 12/12/2016
• Holiday Window Shopping, Artfully Done, 12/12/2015