The Last Pictures at Bryant Park

On Wednesday, September 19, artist/geographer Trevor Paglen, legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog, and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith will converge on Bryant Park’s Upper Terrace for a fascinating “evening under the stars” to celebrate Paglen’s The Last Pictures. The book contains 100 images that Paglen etched onto a golden silicon disc that will be attached to the communications satellite EchoStar XVI before liftoff. Paglen was inspired by the fact that satellites orbiting the Earth are expected to do so until “the sun expands into a red giant and engulfs them” and the Earth, 4.5 billion years from now.  

Co-presented by Creative Time and Live from the NYPL, this special event runs from 7:00-8:30pm, and will include a reading by Ms. Smith; a conversation between Paglen and Herzog about cultural artifacts, space exploration, and the legacy of human civilization; and a presentation of the images. The Amateur Astronomers Association of New York will provide telescopes for those who want to look at the sky. It’s free and everyone is invited, on a first-come, first-serve basis.


The Last Pictures
In Partnership with Creative Time & Live from the NYPL
Wednesday, 7pm - 8:30pm
September 19
Upper Terrace



This is an excerpt from Bryant Park's weekly newsletter, MidCity News, written by Terry Benoit. MidCity News keeps park enthusiasts informed about our events, milestones, operations, and all of the detailed maintenance work that goes into caring for the park. Weekly updates are sent with our sister organizations 34th Street Partnership and Chelsea Improvement Company. 

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