Elevated: Art on the High Line

The most comprehensive and up-to-date book about the vibrant public art program of New York’s global destination, the High Line

The High Line, New York City’s famed elevated rail line-turned-greenway, hosts millions of visitors annually, providing a unique space for encountering art and performance. Elevated surveys the rich, multifaceted offerings of its public art program, High Line Art, presenting works and projects from the last decade by key artists from around the world. 

The book features a world-class array of projects by artists including Simone Leigh, Paola Pivi, Sam Durant, Jordan Casteel, Cecilia Vicuña, Sheila Hicks, El Anatsui, Phyllida Barlow, Faith Ringgold, Barbara Kruger, Zoe Leonard, and many others. It documents the creative evolution and vibrant cultural programming of High Line Art, which offers a city-scale canvas for artists and performers to interact with, seen in abundant photographs that chronicle the projects across the passage of seasons in the park. 

Through voluminous photographs and unique conversations with the participating artists, as well as essays by key critics such as Julia Bryan-Wilson and Aruna D’Souza, this book surveys the dozens of open-air installations, billboards, murals, video projects, and participatory events that demonstrate the unique and vibrant impact High Line Art has had on both New York City and the art world.

Review

‘Surveys the rich, multi-faceted offerings of the High Line's public art program.’ – Forbes

‘Elevated: Art of the High Line is a comprehensive document of the artworks exhibited across the length of this park over the years, but also functions as a didactic investigation into the importance of this particular stretch of land and its accessibility, bringing art to the public.’ – Art & Object

About the Author

Cecilia Alemani is the Donald R. Mullen, Jr. Director & Chief Curator of High Line Art, the public art program presented by the High Line in New York City, and a leading expert in commissioning and producing ambitious artworks for public and unusual spaces. From 2020 to 2022, she served as artistic director of the 59th Venice Biennale, where she curated the acclaimed exhibition The Milk of Dreams and will be the curator of the 2025 edition of SITE SANTA FE International.