[title]
New Yorkers are no strangers to public art exhibitions—last year alone, we witnessed 100 life-size elephants take over the Meatpacking District while a 65-foot-long hot dog took up residency in Times Square.
This week, three works by the late celebrated American artist John Chamberlain have been installed in the heart of Rockefeller Center, bringing much joy and whimsy to passersby. The exhibition, presented alongside Mnuchin Gallery, was unveiled yesterday, April 16, on what would have been Chamberlain’s 98th birthday.
“Chamberlain Goes Outdoors at Rockefeller Center,” which is running through May 29, features large-scale sculptures from the artist’s FOILS series: “FIDDLERSFORTUNE (Pink),” “RITZFROLIC (Green)” and “BALMYWISECRACK (Copper).” It’s the first time any works from this striking installation, his only one designed for the outdoors, have touched American soil. This also happens to be the debut of the copper edition of “BALMYWISECRACK (Copper).”
Known for his large-scale sculptures constructed using old cars, metals and aluminum foil, Chamberlain is being honored all around town this month.
Christie’s at 20 Rockefeller Center, for example, is currently hosting a new exhibit titled “John Chamberlain: Foil & Form,” featuring 11 pieces by the artist that span from the 1980s to the 2000s, through April 27.
Among the works on display are some made from toy trucks and cars retrieved from an abandoned Tonka Toy factor. Christie’s launched a private sale focusing on these pieces today as well.
But there's more: if you're looking for a physical totem honoring the late artist, head to McNally Jackson at Rockefeller Center to snag Assouline’s 280-page tome Living with Chamberlain, which was also released on April 16.
Old-time fans of the artist are sure to flock to Rockefeller Center this month, but we suspect that Chamberlain will also posthumously garner new fans, given the beauty and grandiosity of the pieces and exhibits on display