Featured Image Credit: High Line / Ivan Argote
There's a giant pigeon sculpture coming to New York City this October.
The 16-foot-tall piece of art called 'Dinosaur' - a fitting name for it's T-Rex size - was designed by Columbian artist, Iván Argote.
Commenting on his artwork, Argote said in a statement: 'I feel this sculpture could generate an uncanny feeling of attraction, seduction and fear among the inhabitants of New York.'
Dinosaur will be installed above the High Line Plinth at the intersection of 10th Avenue and 30th Street.
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This spot has been showcasing contemporary art since 2019 and Dinosaur will mark its fourth public installation, according to PIX11 News.
Argote's artwork was chosen out of 80 proposals submitted for the High Line Plinth in 2020.
While some might be taken aback by the statue’s large size as they walk past it, Argote has put a lot of effort into making it look realistic and familiar, making the viewer feel small.
He described the pigeon being the 'icon of New York' as well as a 'marginal creature, living in dirty corners.'
To make it more realistic, the sculpture will even feature realistic pigeon poop next to it.
'I really want to have that feeling, like you know when sometimes you’re on your own for two seconds, or you’re having a sandwich in the street in between things, or just losing some time,' Argote told Curbed’s Carl Swanson.
'Then, you look down, and there’s a pigeon there. Then, you have this kind of look at each other. I really want people to have that feeling. It’s like, Ah, I’ve seen you, man. Here you are. Here you are.'
Dinosaur reflects not only the statue’s size but also nods to the bird’s ancient ancestors. Pigeons have come a long way from being valuable messengers in European settler times to adapting well to city life and thriving over time.
Cecilia Alemani, the director and chief curator of High Line Art, explained that, in New York, there are people who 'love the community of pigeons', some are 'obsessed' and others who are 'literally disgusted and horrified' by them.
She added: 'Iván has a charming ability as an artist to take something familiar and make us consider it anew in profound ways.
'His sculpture for the High Line Plinth adds a critical yet funny perspective to the ongoing dialogue of public art.'
