“It’s an inspiring reminder that, no matter where you start, with talent, hard work, and a little bit of that ‘Empire State of Mind,’ you can change the world.” Jay-Z, readers learn, is a “beacon of hope for those who dare to dream beyond the confines of their circumstances.” Artworks spread across the library’s atrium. The grand effort preaches corporate hip-hop’s prosperity gospel: The show “is more than a tribute to a legendary artist and entrepreneur,” according to the opening declaration of its takeaway zine. The feat elevates the profile of the library and is already drawing in Brooklynites at a historic moment: Hip-hop will turn 50 next month. Inside the library, visitors see his tale unfold across eight chapters, which stage memorabilia, ephemera, photos, art, and artifacts across the first and second floors. On the plaza in front of the facade, a cube of screens introduces the show: The Book of HOV, a career-spanning installation about the hip-hop star and mogul. It has been papered in white with blocks of chunky, monospace text ( designed by ABC Dinamo), lyrics from one of the borough’s most prominent celebrities: Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter in Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Marcy Projects. Nearby, another landmark has also been refaced for greatness: The curved art deco facade of the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library ( BPL). Recently, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch at the center of Grand Army Plaza was wrapped in scaffolding- a la Christo and Jeanne-Claude-to undergo restoration.
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