A Garden of “Beauties” Blooms in the Iconic Grace Building in NYC

The marble lobby of the iconic Grace building on 42nd Street (that curved building along Bryant Park) has turned into a playful garden of colorful “flower clusters.” Entitled Beauties, the seven site-specific sculptures, created by artist John Monti, are an eye-popping entrance to a New Yorkers serious workday. People entering through the revolving doors were taking a sudden pause before flashing a quick smile, and a quick cell phone shot of the fantastically colored installations, now sprouting in their lobby. Even the security guards seemed to be enjoying the play-things, and the reactions from those on their way through the grand African mahogany paneled lobby. Below are a few photos of Beauties.

John Monti, who hails from Brooklyn, created each piece out of cast resin, with a coated high-gloss finish. His experience as a sculpture artist, costume and set designer, bring new life to the wide open space of the Grace building, which was commissioned by W.R. Grace in 1974, and designed by Gordon Bunshaft. Monti has exhibited both nationally and internationally, and his work is included in private and public collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, Yale University Art Gallery, and the Eli Broad Family Foundation – naming just a few.

Arts Brookfield‘s Beauties, by artist John Monti, will be on view at the Grace building, 1114 Avenue of the Americas at 42nd Street, through November 11. Get in touch with the author at AFineLyne.