His vibrant palette for City in the Grass derives from time spent in China and investigating the properties of porcelain and glazing and firing techniques. Voids in the surface of the “carpet” allow grass to grow through them creating tiny parks within the sculpture’s borders.īrooklyn, NY-based Drew considers the work complete when people interact by sitting, standing, and walking on or around it, disrupting the “do not touch” directive at most public art installations and sculpture parks.ĭrew, a cinephile, cites the science fiction classic “Metropolis” (1927) and the musical fantasy “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) among his inspirations for the work. The artist intends for viewers to imagine being giants like Gulliver, the hero of Jonathan Swift’s 1726 satire, in fictional Lilliput. Mosaics of wooden blocks form a miniature cityscape encircling each 16-foot tower and providing a bird’s eye view perspective.
The waves are punctuated with three skyscraper-like towers reminiscent of the Empire State Building’s spire, each with a unique surface treatment. Undulating aluminum waves painted with vividly colored sand evoke a Persian carpet in motion, suggestive of a magic carpet ride enabling viewers to participate as artistic collaborators by imagining their own journeys. A unique but intentional aspect of the sculpture is to inspire us to take time to look closely, slow down, and come out to play.” City in the Grass is the wonderful outcome of this innovative artist’s exploration of the potential of public art to invite people into the experience-to spark our imaginations as we connect with the sculpture and one another. “Visitors will be enchanted by the monumental scale of this fantastical sculpture and the topographical perspectives and variations of textures. “We are delighted to showcase this exceptional public artwork created by Leonardo Drew, a Southern-born artist,” said The Museum’s Chief Curator and Artistic Director of the Center for Art & Public Exchange, Ryan Dennis. Exposed to the weather, physical use, and the passage of time, the sculpture- measuring over 100 feet long and 30 feet wide-is intended to degrade naturally, connoting life cycles and the potential for regeneration.
On view through Februin the Museum’s Art Garden, City in the Grass (2019) is the first outdoor sculpture by Drew whose practice incorporates tactile materials like wood, metal, and canvas he distresses by hand.
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