For the last four years, we’ve enjoyed the Art Students League’s public sculpture program, Model to Monument (M2M) in Riverside Park South, with new sculptures and new theme each summer. Now in their fifth and final year, June 11th was the unveiling of this year’s seven installations. This year’s theme – “Patterns of Nature”, with the works installed in Riverside Park South between 59th Street and 72nd Street, along the waterfront.

The program is an opportunity for students to create and produce a piece, navigating the process from the drawing board to the actual installation, as part of the League’s Professional Development Program. Being chosen for this program is a tough, competitive process, but those that are chosen gain valuable real-world experience, with their work on display in the park for an entire year.

7. Ken Shih “Can Love Pervade Space?”

Entering at 59th Street, we viewed a piece by artist Ken Shih entitled ‘Can Love Pervade Space?’. Made of concrete and steel, this sculpture stands 11′ x 20′ x 13′. The casting was done by sculpture artist, Montserrat Daubon, and Brewster Iron Works did the metal fabrication.

Proceeding along the Hudson River heading north, we came upon ‘Jubilation!’ by Lee Apt. This colorful installation is made of wood, steel, stone, resin, styrofoam, fiberglass and paint.  It measures 14′ x 13′ x 15′ and was fabricated by Serett Metalworks.

5. “Fragment of an Angel” by Kathleen Jansyn

‘Fragment of an Angel’ by artist Kathleen Jansyn (above and below) represents found objects that bring with them their own history, in an effort to present lives outside her own. This installation is made from steel, nylon fabric, nylon rope and found objects and measures 16′ x 7′ x 12′.  Metal fabrication by Serett Metalworks.

 

4. “Flow 1-Cascade” by Sukyung Kim

Contrasted against the sky over the Hudson River, the above installation, ‘Flow 1-Cascade’ was created by artist Sukyung Kim as a rendering of cloud forms.

3. Donat King Sculpture

Made of cast stone, untitled piece by artist Donat King blends into surrounding environment holding true to this year’s theme, Patterns of Nature.

2. “Thrive” by Paola Morales

‘Thrive’ by artist Paola Morales was constructed of steel tubes and steel rain caps.  In this piece, she reclaims disposable objects and transforms them into her vision, using the interplay of light and shadow.  Fabricated by Serett metalworks, her installation measures 20′ x 9′ x 9′.

1. “Metamorphosis” by Caroline Bergonzi

You will find ‘Metamorphosis’ by artist Caroline Bergonzi as you approach the 72nd Street boat basin.  Created out of steel and bronze, this installation appears as if a phoenix rising from the ashes, and turning from rust to gold.  Below is a closer look at her intricate work.  ‘Metamorphosis’ measures 14′ x 22′ x 8′.

Later this summer, a collaborative piece will be installed in Van Cortlandt Park (photo below left).  Also below, a group photo of the artists with the Director of this Program, master sculptor Greg Wyatt.  You can find each installation on the Model to Monument Program Map, and you can follow the Art Students League on Facebook.  For a broader view of each artists’ work, we’ve included their individual websites.  We look forward to hearing from the League about the future of the M2M Program at the conclusion of this fifth and final year.

Continue on to see 16 other art installations you shouldn’t miss this month. Get in touch with the author at AFineLyne.