People. The exhibition features three new sculptures that respond to the park's physical landscape as well as its role as a site of play and leisure. They incorporate both natural materials and industrial building techniques and explore the idea of architecture, labor, and reinvention.
For his Public Art Fund commission, Oscar Tuazon will present three new sculptures that respond to Brooklyn Bridge Park’s physical landscape as well as its role as a site of play and leisure. Like previous works, these hybrid sculptures incorporate both natural materials and industrial building techniques—local trees and cement casting are at the core of each of work—and explore the idea of architecture, labor, and reinvention. In one work, a tall tree trunk is supported with a minimalist steel triangle and conceals a spring from which water will flow. Formed by a ten-foot-square, cast cement cube with a tall tree embedded at its central axis, the second work functions both as an icon and a passageway along the pier. And in the third, a steel hoop is attached to a tree trunk fixed against a large cement wall, not unlike a DIY handball wall. Informed by Minimalism, performance, and utilitarian construction, these structures will activate the area they inhabit—a site that inherently juxtaposes organic and industrial sensibilities.
Oscar Tuazon (b. 1975, Seattle, Washington) lives and works in Paris. He studied at the Cooper Union School of Art and attended the Whitney Museum of America Art Independent Study Program, New York. In 2011, he presented his work at the 54th Venice Biennale, and most recently, his work is included in the 2012 Whitney Biennial. Recent solo exhibitions include: The Power Station, Dallas (2011); Institute of Contemporary Arts, London (2010); Künsthalle Bern (2010); Künstlerhaus Stuttgart (2010); Seattle Art Museum (2008); and the Palais de Tokyo, Paris (2007). Oscar Tuazon is represented by Maccarone and Galerie Eva Presenhuber.
Major support provided by Kraus Family Foundation. Additional support provided by Jennifer & Malcolm Nolen. Special thanks to Brooklyn Bridge Park President Regina Myer.
Photo: Julienne Schaer
For all press inquiries, e-mail press@publicartfund.org
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Furman Street - Brooklyn, NY 11201