public-art-fund-isa-genzken-two-orchids-new-york-city-designboom-04
isa genzken’s two orchids bloom at the entrance of new york’s central park
all images courtesy of galerie buchholz, cologne/berlin/new york; and david zwirner, new york/london
© 2015 artists rights society (ARS), new york / VG bild-kunst, bonn
photo by jason wyche, courtesy public art fund, NY

 

 

 

rising above visitors entering central park from its southeast corner are isa genzken’s ‘two orchids’. from now until august 21, 2016, public art fund presents a pair of oversized blooms that reach heights of 34 and 28 feet in new york city’s doris c. freedman plaza. originally shown at the 2015 venice art biennale, the sculptures appear delicate and willowy, despite their stainless steel framework. the remarkably thin stems are tethered to straight metal shafts that support a cluster of large white flowers.  

public-art-fund-isa-genzken-two-orchids-new-york-city-designboom-03the pair of oversized blooms reach 34 and 28 feet in height
image by jason wyche / courtesy public art fund, NY

 

 

 

genzken’s ‘two orchids’, whose predecessor ‘rose II’ was installed on the façade of the new museum from 2010-2013, achieves monumentality through its colossal scale, careful detailing, and deliberate placement within new york’s urban landscape. as the stems seemingly grow directly out of the plaza’s paving stones, the almost teetering forms are juxtaposed by their sturdy, stainless steel construction. in ‘two orchids’, genzken’s consistent interest in scale, material, and playful sense of humor, are unmistakably present.

public-art-fund-isa-genzken-two-orchids-new-york-city-designboom-05the sculptures appear delicate and willowy, despite their stainless steel framework
image by jason wyche / courtesy public art fund, NY

 

 

 

‘more than twenty years after first making her famous outdoor ‘rose’ sculpture, genzken has again borrowed from the natural world to create an imposing new public installation,’ nicholas baume, public art fund director & chief curator, says. ‘whereas the red rose is a universal and clichéd symbol of love, the orchid has a more open set of associations, appearing almost cartoon-like in this larger-than-life, doubled version. for genzken the decorative neutrality of the orchid makes it the quintessential flower of our period – ubiquitous, porous to meaning, and global.’

public-art-fund-isa-genzken-two-orchids-new-york-city-designboom-01the remarkably thin stems are tethered to straight metal shafts
image by jason wyche / courtesy public art fund, NY

public-art-fund-isa-genzken-two-orchids-new-york-city-designboom-06the installation rises above visitors entering central park from its southeast corner 
image by walla walla foundry / courtesy public art fund, NY

public-art-fund-isa-genzken-two-orchids-new-york-city-designboom-02the installation achieves monumentality through its colossal scale and careful placement
image by jason wyche / courtesy public art fund, NY

public-art-fund-isa-genzken-two-orchids-new-york-city-designboom-07isa genzken’s ‘two orchids’ are presented in new york from now until august 21, 2016
image by walla walla foundry / courtesy public art fund, NY