will ryman: the roses

four roses sit in the middle of a busy new york city intersection images courtesy of paul kasmin gallery / © KB projects

artist will ryman has created ‘the roses’, a site specific installation that scatters roses along park avenue between 57th and 67th street in new york city. the project is part of an inaugural public art installation hosted this year by paul kasmin gallery in conjunction with new york city’s department of parks and recreation and the fund for the park avenue sculpture committee. 

temporarily transforming park avenue, the installation consists of thirty eight variously clustered pink and red roses and twenty scattered petals.

‘the roses’ by will ryman

paying homage to the city’s larger than life qualities, the over-sized sculptures – which range from three to twenty five feet in height – dominate the streetscape, overshadowing street lamps, vehicles and pedestrians. the imposing and humorous pieces, which will remain in place throughout the spring, vibrantly contrast and enliven the dull winter atmosphere. 

small roses sprout from beneath the snow

blossoms ranging from five to ten feet in diameter are perched upon painted steel stems. constructed from stainless steel, yacht grade fiberglass resin, automotive paint and brass, the sculptures are designed to withstand various and changing elements.

detail of the petals

critters scurry around some of the flowers adding elements of both reality and humor to the pieces

detail of buds

rose petals ‘blow’ down park avenue