On view through November 5, 2023
An Installation by Bradford Mumpower and Latika Sewell
Mini Greens 2
Mini Greens 2
Experience Mini Greens 2, a new art installation created by Bradford Mumpower and Latika Sewell in the Iron Garden.
The Mini Greens 2 installation will be on view at the Carrie Blast Furnaces through the end of the 2023 season.
Artist-led tours of the installation will be available throughout the season during scheduled Arts & Grounds Tours, as well as on August 19 for open house at the Carrie Blast Furnaces and October 7 during the Festival of Combustion.
About Mini Greens 2
Artists Bradford Mumpower and Latika Sewell joined forces to disassemble and upcycle hundreds of yards of fabric into more than 1,500 tiny greens jackets. Strung like flags along more than a mile of cord through the Iron Garden at the Carrie Blast Furnaces, the mini greens feature colorful decals depicting imagery from Rivers of Steel’s historical archives. Adorned with scaled details, including chrome buttons, pockets, and cufflinks, the jackets take the form of pennant flags that playfully traverse the garden grounds, providing an alternative visual path for visitors to follow.
Stringing up flags in open spaces is done across many, if not all, cultures globally. Here in the U.S., pennant flags are strung to celebrate events and team activities. In Mexico, papel picados, or tissue-paper flags, are chiseled with a variety of patterns and used to decorate buildings, streets, and Day of the Dead altars during secular and religious celebrations. In Nepal, Tibetan prayer flags are a ubiquitous part of the landscape and likewise reflect Bradford’s Buddhist beliefs.
Mini Greens 2 uses this global compositional form to create a palpably sacred community space at the furnaces in much the same way the Iron Garden itself celebrates nature’s sacred role in reclaiming formerly industrial locations. As the mini jacket flags honor the many thousands of former workers now missing from the furnaces today, the garden pays homage to the slow and deliberate role nature plays in healing these brutal places over time.
This project was made possible with support from The Heinz Endowments’ Small Arts Initiative.
Hours & Admission*
Hours and prices vary. See events below.
Opening Reception
Sunday, May 21, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Free
Arts & Grounds Tours
$14 – 22
Open House at the Carrie Blast Furnaces
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Free
Festival of Combustion
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Location & Directions
The Carrie Blast Furnaces are located in the communities of Swissvale and Rankin in the Monongahela River Valley.
The address for the National Historic Landmark is 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15218.
What to Know Before You Go
As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.
- What to wear: The majority of each tour is outside; please dress for the weather. Additionally, the ground is uneven—sensible shoes are a must. Sneakers or boots are recommended. Open-toed shoes and high heels are prohibited.
- Restrooms & concessions: The rawness of the site is certainly part of its charm. However, that rawness also limits the creature comforts many of us are accustomed to, like running water. Portable bathrooms and wash stations are available. Food amenities are generally not available (with some exceptions, such as food trucks at festivals).
- Photography: Photography is permitted. For safety reasons, videography and drones are prohibited.
- COVID-19 Policies: Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies.
- Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available, but the grounds covered during tours are not wheelchair accessible. Contact info@riversofsteel.com to discuss alternative options.
- Liability: By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors are required to sign a liability waiver and consent to be photographed (PDF).
- Admission: Site access is limited to guided tours, workshops, and events. Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed.
- Duration: Allow one and a half hours for your tour.
- Children: While kids of all ages are welcome, the tour content is recommended for children ages 8+.
Thank you for following these guidelines. We wish you to have the best visit possible and appreciate your patience as we continue to improve the visitor experience.
For more information, contact info@riversofsteel.com.
Learn more about the events
such as tours, workshops, and festivals happening at each unique attraction.
