"Playground of My Mind is a graphic reminiscence of the modernist playgrounds of New York City, and their influence on my aesthetics and thinking. The original paintings on paper were exhibited in 2017 at the Wellin Museum, who also published the memoir (in conjunction with Del Monico Books and Prestel). These playgrounds, of rational and utopian ideals, were constructed in the tumultuous setting of 1960s and 70s New York; a chaotic atmosphere but one which was open to new ideas in architecture and play. Focus is placed on the playgrounds that I interacted with most: Richard Dattner's seminal Adventure Playground in Central Park, an M. Paul Friedberg playground (now destroyed) that was situated in the city housing I grew up in, and Discovery Play Park, which my father collaborated on, also located in Central Park. The book makes an argument for the reconsideration of "Brutalist" architecture (here in it's most playful and sculptural form), and affinities with the dutch playgrounds of Aldo van Eyck are delineated. When we play in and around great design, does it teach us?"

Read Daniel McDermon's piece on Playground of my Mind in the New York Times by clicking here.

James Trainor spoke with Julia about the project for Urban Omnibus. That article can by found on the Urban Omnibus website.