WILL RYMAN: BIRD
March 25, 2013- April 21, 2013
Flatiron Plaza
NYC Department of Transportation's Urban Art Program and the Flatiron/ 23rd Street Partnership
Spring has arrived: the Magnolia trees are blooming, the the sun is shining and the birds are certainly chirping. On your way to Eataly, you may have noticed this wondrous winged fellow by artist Will Ryman. As part of the DOT's new program to install temporary art in sites across the city, this huge bird made out of oversized "actual and fabricated nails" will be roosting through the rest of the weekend. Coming out of the subway, this prickly piece looks like a sentinel to the hustling metropolis of the Flatiron district.
QUESTIONS TO ASK:
1. Why do you think the artist used nails to construct this bird? What is the message of the medium?
2. Does this bird look friendly or fearsome? Why do you think the bird is carrying a rose in his mouth?
3. Looking at the bird from the back, the sculpture looks abstract and as you walk around it turns into the image-- this was intentional by the artist. He has said "it's like looking at something with a magnifying glass." Try it out-- do you find this to be true?
LINKS TO DIVE DEEPER:
*This "Bird" sculpture was originally shown at the Paul Kasmin Gallery.
*A Huffington Post interview with the artist.
EXTENSIONS:
photo: Preschool Playbook
It would be fun to make your own pointed animal. If a sculpture out of nails seems too intimidating, why not paint a prickly porcupine? Preschool Playbook has a cute painting activity that takes zero preparation besides pouring the paint and grabbing a plastic fork. We'll be trying it this weekend!
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