A New York Icon Takes Flight
New Yorkers may not all agree on which urban critter best symbolizes their city—be it the resilient rat, the nuke-proof cockroach, or the scrappy pigeon. However, the pigeon might soon have an edge, as a new 16-foot-tall monument dedicated to this iconic bird will soon perch atop the High Line elevated park on the city’s west side. The next commission to grace the park’s prominent plinth above Tenth Avenue is titled Dinosaur (2024), a hyper-realistic aluminum sculpture of a pigeon created by Iván Argote, a Bogotá-born, Paris-based artist.
The Inspiration Behind “Dinosaur”
“The name Dinosaur references the sculpture’s scale and the pigeon’s ancestors, who millions of years ago dominated the globe as we humans do today,” Argote explained in a statement. “The name also serves as a nod to the dinosaur’s extinction. Like them, one day we won’t be around anymore, but perhaps a remnant of humanity will live on—as pigeons do—in the dark corners and gaps of future worlds. I feel this sculpture could generate an uncanny feeling of attraction, seduction, and fear among the inhabitants of New York.”
A Monument to New York’s Feathered Residents
The 16-foot-tall pigeon, crafted from aluminum, will be displayed at the plinth at the intersection of Tenth Avenue and 30th Street. Like many New Yorkers, pigeons are not native to the region, having been introduced by European settlers in the 17th century. Over the centuries, these birds have thrived in their adopted city, now outnumbering the human population with an estimated nine million pigeons compared to nearly eight million people.
A Fresh Perspective on Public Art
“Iván has a charming ability as an artist to take something familiar and make us consider it anew in profound ways,” said Cecilia Alemani, director and chief curator of High Line Art. “His sculpture for the High Line Plinth adds a critical yet funny perspective to the ongoing dialogue of public art.”
Critiques of conventional monuments and a fondness for pigeons are recurring themes in Argote’s work. He has previously documented the removal of a statue of French colonial administrator Joseph Gallieni from a public plaza in Paris and created planters resembling historical monuments. In 2022, when nominated for France’s top contemporary art prize, the Prix Marcel Duchamp, Argote’s installation at the Centre Pompidou featured videos of monuments being removed and disassembled, set within a gallery strewn with toppled obelisks.
“Dinosaur” Joins the High Line Plinth
Argote’s prominent pigeon will be the fourth commission for the High Line Plinth, following works by Pamela Rosenkranz, Simone Leigh, and Sam Durant. Rosenkranz’s neon-pink tree sculpture, Old Tree (2023), will remain on view until September. Argote’s Dinosaur will be unveiled the following month and will be displayed for 18 months, inviting New Yorkers and visitors alike to reflect on the city’s ever-evolving landscape and the creatures that call it home.
References:
CNN News – https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/02/style/giant-pigeon-nyc-high-line-tan/index.html
Smithsonian Magazine – https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/giant-pigeon-sculpture-to-make-its-debut-on-new-york-citys-high-line-180984829/
