Michael Paul Britto, Disseminate 2.0

Curated by Taylor Bradley • Path on The Grand Concourse, E 149th St. to 167th, Subway stops: 4 (149 St Grand Concourse) > B:D:4 (161 St Yankee Stadium) > 4 (167 St), ongoing public art project.

Turning the city into an exhibition space and dialectical platform, Disseminate 2.0 is the latest chapter in Michael Paul Britto’s topographical tome. The project emerged from discussions around a post-pandemic approach to living as an artist, getting the work out, and engaging with the street as a socio-cultural site of exchange with its own vernacular and jargon when galleries and museums shuttered. In particular, the specific language of The Grand Concourse inspired Britto’s interpretations of the natural and artificial features of the street. This street vernacular holds messages and interpretations for both insular and exterior members as encountered through pasted notices on light posts, liquor bottles under trees, and stickers. 

With maps available online, Britto’s guerilla scavenger hunt stretches 2 miles up and down The Grand Concourse from E. 149th St. to 167th. St. and back. The curious participant may follow on foot or by train to seek out or, by chance, stumble on collage works on board, QR codes that link to videos, and an artist-curated playlist. As a result, Disseminate 2.0 unites dozens of New Yorkers and private-sector partners to realize an ongoing community engagement project.