 Growth creator, artist Jorge Rodrigez in front of corroded and faded sculpture, March 2010
|
 CMCP conservators and interns begin process of removing paint and corrosion from sculpture, Spring 2010
|
 Finished conserved sculpture, June 2010 |
Growth (Jorge Luis Rodriguez, 1985)
| |
|
| TITLE: |
Growth |
| SCULPTOR: |
Jorge Luis Rodríguez |
| ARCHITECT: |
Housing Preservation and Development Open Spaces Program |
| INSTALLED: |
May 17, 1985 |
| DEDICATED: |
June 26, 1985 |
| LOCATION: |
East Harlem Art Park, Sylvan Street @ 120th Street, Manhattan |
| MEDIA: |
Painted steel |
| DIMENSION: |
Height: 14’ Width: 11’ Depth: 9’ |
| |
|
DESCRIPTION & HISTORY
Growth, located in the East Harlem Art Park is a 15-foot-high steel sculpture located in the center of the park, created by artist Jorge Rodriguez in 1985. This was Rodriguez’s first large-scale permanent work and was also the first project completed by the Percent for Art Program. Administered by the City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Percent for Art Program uses a percentage of specific capital project budgets to commission works of art as part of new construction.
East Harlem Art Park was redeveloped in the early 1980s by Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) Open Spaces Program, as a public amenity nestled between the landmark Harlem Courthouse to the east and the Casabe Housing for the Elderly to the west. Though intended as a courtyard for rotating exhibitions of temporary public art, this plan never materialized due to a lack of sustained financial resources and curatorial support, but the permanent artwork created by Rodriguez has served to beautify this vernal enclave for a quarter century.
Jorge Luis Rodríguez, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1944, was educated at the School of Visual Arts and New York University. An active art educator in New York City, he taught at the School of Visual Arts, Manhattan Community College, and Kingsborough Community College. He also worked with The Studio Museum in Harlem, Just Above Midtown Gallery, the Association for Hispanic Arts, and El Museo del Barrio to develop art programs for all ages.
Of Growth, Rodríguez said, “I have tried to capture the interaction between trees, birds, insects, flowers, and man. My sculpture may portray a seed sprouting from the ground, an insect transforming into a flower, or a bird changing into a tree. I hope to create an art piece that will serve as a source of enjoyment and inspiration to the community.”
The sculpture was installed in May 1985 and painted on site by the Department of Cultural Affairs. On June 26, 1985 Mayor Ed Koch formally dedicated the sculpture.
2010 RESTORATION
The Growth sculpture had been maintained sporadically since its installation in 1985. By 2010, the sculpture’s original painted pink coating was exhibiting signs of general fading, rusting, pitting and possible weld failure, and overall the paint was exhibiting wear in response to environmental soiling and had faded to a very light pink. Additional damage and conditions on the surface included tar fingerprints, and tape adhesive residue.
The Growth restoration project was conducted under the auspices of the Citywide Monuments Conservation Program (CMCP), an initiative founded in 1997 and directed by the Art & Antiquities unit of New York City Parks & Recreation. Treatment and repairs on the Growth sculpture were undertaken by CMCP conservators Christine Djuric and John Saunders, with assistance from four conservation apprentices working under their guidance.
Following a March 11, 2010 meeting with the creator, artist Jorge Luis Rodríguez, it was decided that the sculpture would be repainted red, which was the original color choice he had specified in 1985. Frequently on site during the restoration, the artist also provided a small-scale version of the sculpture (known as a maquette) which CMCP used for reference while working.
Restoration was completed by CMCP in summer 2010.
For further information on the Citywide Monuments Conservation Program, please contact Jonathan Kuhn, Director of Art & Antiquities for NYC Parks & Recreation at (212) 360-3410 or Deputy Director Sheena Brown at (212) 360-8143.
|
