The Ponytail Parkway Project
In 2015, Bloomberg reported that only 27.5% of streets in the world's most influential cities were named after women, highlighting a significant underrepresentation in urban spaces. The Ponytail Parkway Project aims to address this by featuring motion-blurred iPhone photographs of my ponytail as I run down three female-named streets in New York City. This project not only honors influential women but also draws attention to the lack of female-named landmarks.
Running has long been seen as both an artistic practice that fosters contemplation and a physical activity that builds resilience. In this project, I use running to encourage the audience to question traditional notions of femininity and gender roles in urban environments. A volunteer captured photographs of me from behind with an iPhone as I ran along Manhattan’s Bella S. Abzug Way, Bethune Street, and Jane Jacobs Way. By focusing on my ponytail, the project transcends my personal identity and elevates the ponytail as a feminist symbol of strength and confidence, bridging the gap between sports and glamor.
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The Ponytail Parkway Project documents the subtle movement of my ponytail as I run along these female-named streets, challenging societal norms and reclaiming public spaces for women. This project serves as a visual testament to feminine expression and the legacy of women who have shaped history.
