Rockefeller Center transforms into a spectacular sculpture park to usher in Frieze Sculpture 2019, a monumental exhibition fusing art and architecture in the heart of New York. From April 25 through June 28, 2019, this iconic building will house a unique collection of twenty stunning works by internationally renowned artists, including Jaume Plensa, Goshka Macuga, Ibrahim Mahama, Joan Miró, Paulo Nazareth, Sarah Sze and Hank Willis Thomas, among others.
One of the highlights of the exhibition is Jaume Plensa‘s imposing sculpture “Behind the Walls“, a 7.5-meter-tall figure of a girl made of white resin, with her hands covering her eyes. Located at the entrance of the Channel Gardens on Fifth Avenue, this work invites viewers to reflect on self-imposed blindness and the need to face reality. For Plensa, the piece is a direct representation of how we sometimes close ourselves off from the world around us in order to feel more comfortable, and he hopes the work will function as a mirror for viewers, prompting them to examine their own lives and choices.
The curatorship of Frieze Sculpture 2019 by Brett Littman, director of the Garden Museum, has succeeded in creating an immersive art experience that attracts visitors from far and wide. Although initially hesitant to place Plensa‘s sculpture in this location, Littman recognized that it was the perfect place for this provocative work, capable of arousing curiosity and introspection in those who view it. In addition to “Behind the Walls“, works by other prominent international artists adorn the surroundings of Rockefeller Center and the various lobbies of the surrounding buildings, creating a cityscape full of art and meaning. This has been thanks to the partnership of Frieze New York and the real estate company Tishman Speyer, which will open the doors of these emblematic spaces to fill them with the monumentality of the twenty pieces on display.
«It’s almost the way I feel every morning», Littman said. «You put your hands over your eyes and think: “I can’t believe we have to deal with another day like this”».
For his part, Jaume Plensa confesses that it is a very direct piece. «On many occasions, we are blinding ourselves with our hands to feel in a more comfortable position». On a personal level, the artist hopes that the work can function to the viewer as a mirror in which «you can look inside yourself and think about your options, your aptitudes, what you are doing in your life». (Quinn, 2019)
From the grandeur of Ibrahim Mahama’s works to the delicacy of Joan Miró’s creations, each piece on display offers a unique perspective on themes ranging from the personal to the political, the spiritual and the social. It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of contemporary art and explore the diverse ways in which artists interpret and respond to the world around them.
Frieze Sculpture 2019 at Rockefeller Center is much more than just an exhibition; it is a testament to the power of art to inspire, provoke and transform, and a celebration of the pivotal role it plays in our society. Through June 28, visitors have the opportunity to be part of this unique experience that fuses aesthetic beauty with deep reflection, in the heart of the Big Apple.
