“WORLD FORUM ON MANHOLE COVERS” AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE FAIR JACOB JAVITS CENTER, NEW YORK MAY 20TH 1:30 PM, BOOTH #1433 The ‘World Forum on Manhole Covers will be held at the 2003 International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York City on May 20th at 1:30pm, Booth #1433. The event will bring together a panel of scholars, artists, public works people and preservationists in a ground-breaking discussion of manhole covers in New York and around the world. The event is organized by Urban Illuminations, and The Society for the Preservation of New York City Manhole Covers. Panelists include Lisa Frigand and Len Burshstein of Con Edison, New York based artist Michele Brody, Artist Bobbi Mastrangelo, Simeon Bankoff of the Historic Districts Council, and Diana Stuart, author and New York’s “Manhole Cover Lady”. This panel will be moderated by Thorin Tritter, PhD, History Department, Princeton University. Manhole covers are best known for their everyday municipal work ethic. The panel, however, will uncover the unassuming marvel below the 200 lb. cast-iron surface and reveal sides to the manhole cover that the public rarely sees; their historical, aesthetic, functional and some would say spiritual value.