Contemporary artist Kris Perry’s monumental sculpture Mother Earth will be installed at Rockaway Beach (Queens) as part of the NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program, which brings both experimental and traditional art to the public in locations throughout the five boroughs.
Made of Corten steel, a material that will evolve with the seasons and site, the 35-foot-tall soaring sculpture will be on view for one year starting August 12, 2020.
“At a time when people are eager to escape the confines of their homes to enjoy the outdoors, I cannot imagine a more fitting location for Mother Earth than this popular stretch of Rockaway Beach. Where the land meets the water, there is an opportunity for deep contemplation,” said artist Kris Perry. “I primarily work with steel, which is composed almost entirely of the mineral iron. The duality of the material ~ of nature, but made by technology ~ seems like a fitting metaphor for a sculpture that encourages viewers to ponder their relationship to the natural world.”
Mother Earth draws on an array of architectural elements, from temples, mosques, and churches to the open columned spaces of Classical Greek buildings. The spire directs the viewer’s gaze skyward while its reflected shape points back down towards the Earth. Participants are encouraged to occupy the sculpture’s central space where one can look outward upon the landscape in a moment of introspection.
Mother Earth is located at the Beach 98th Entrance to Rockaway Beach (Beach 98th St. and Shore Front Pkwy). From the Beach 98th St. Station on the IND Rockaway Line, served by the A train and Rockaway Park Shuttle, walk 2 blocks.
Born in Berkeley, CA, Kris Perry lives and works in Hudson, NY. Perry makes large-scale kinetic sculptures that cultivate an understanding of human experience by creating a visual language through form and gesture. Passionate about public art, he has been commissioned to construct pieces where people can gather to ask questions and share experiences. Follow the artist on Instagram.
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