Ancient Treasures from The Met Collection Fused Together on Museum’s Rooftop

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is brimming with artwork, and its roof garden is no exception — it’s currently home to The Theater of Disappearance, a site-specific installation created by Argentinian artist Adrian Villar Rojas.

Curated by Beatrice Galilee, Daniel Brodsky Associate Curator of Architecture and Design, it’s the fifth installation in a series of commissions for The Met’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden — and Villar Rojas, at the age of 37, is the youngest artist to receive the annual honor. According to its press release, The Theater of Disappearance “fuses” together nearly 100 sculptures and ancient artifacts found in The Met’s gallery collection to create an ahistorical body of work, comprised of 16 black and white sculptures.

To put together the installation, Villar Rojas toured the Museum, cataloging various objects through photographs; a selection of images are currently on display, accompanied by commentary that delves into his thought process.

His team then utilized the Museum’s Advanced Imaging Department to digitally scan and create 3-D models of the objects. Staff members (and their families) at The Met have also been incorporated into the figures that you’ll see. (artnet news reports that Villar Rojas’ hands, with his fingers contorting into a rock n’ roll sign, can be spotted next to one sculpture.)

In addition to the sculptures, Villar Rojas has also transformed aspects of the rooftop space: additional furniture has been added, the pergola has been expanded and the signage & menu at the bar has also been changed.

The Theater of Disappearance is currently on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from April 14–October 29, 2017.

Next, check out the Top 10 Secrets of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.