Visit Jaar’s Newest Permanent Art Work in NYC

Portraits of Justice, Prospectus contributor Alfredo Jaar’s most recent permanent public art work in NYC, can be viewed at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the City University of New York, 524 W. 59th St., New York, NY. In 2013, the College and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York unveiled the multimedia installation, commissioned for the Lynn and Jules Kroll Atrium of the new building designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill,

According to John Jay College:

“Jaar’s new installation Portraits of Justice welcomes students, staff, faculty, and visitors entering the college with an elegant wall of pristine mirrors and aluminum panels. In midst of the reflections of the atrium’s buzzing life, the seemingly minimal installation offers the college community a gaze into itself. The work’s real complexity however unfolds as the mirrors light up every few minutes with faces of John Jay students, intermittently appearing and disappearing in various areas throughout the installation.

“At random intervals, some of the students speak out the word “justice” and, three times a day every day, the entire installation comes to life as it completely fills up with students whispering, shouting, imposing, or calling for “justice” in unison.

“Technically, the students are recorded videos of approximately one hundred John Jay students displayed on twenty large monitors, hidden behind two-way mirrors. These function like regular mirrors when unlit but become completely clear when light shines behind them—as is the case when the monitors turn on.

“The layering of reflections and the gradual unraveling of the complexity of the work reflects the difficulty and intricacy of a field like criminal justice, as well as the rigor and discipline that it requires. Mirrors, an age-old symbol of transparency and scrutiny, also suggest that all justice begins by looking at oneself.

“Facing their own or their peers’ reflections in the installation, students simply and powerfully remind themselves as well as the entire college community—from students and faculty to public safety officers and guests—why they are here: justice. Every minute and every hour of every day.”