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New York City is lucky to have one of the best sculpture parks in the country right in its backyard: the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City. The 4.7-acre park is open year-round and gives visitors the opportunity to view large-scale sculptures and multimedia works installed on what used to be an ugly, abandoned landfill and dump site. In addition to the installed works, Socrates also offers a full calendar of events and programming, from concerts and performances to workshops and movie nights. To give you an early start on your plans for the coming months, here is a list of things to see/do at the park this summer.
The Living Pyramid
Date(s): May 17 - August 30
One of the major exhibitions planned for this summer is New York-based artist Agnes Denes’ site-specific installation that will honor the 100th birthday of David Rockefeller, and that will also celebrate all that he has done for the arts and the environment with the David Rockefeller Fund.
The planted grasses and flowers on the 30-foot-high wooden pyramid installation will grow and transform the structure as the weeks go by, blooming in time for the Rockefeller birthday celebration in June. “What [pyramids] all convey is the human drama, our hopes and dreams against great odds,” said the artist in a press release. “Transformed into blossoms, the pyramid renews itself as evolution does to our species.”
Broadway Billboard: Degas Horses by Vera Lutter
Date(s): May 17 - August 30
The Broadway Billboard series has become one of the most iconic things about Socrates Sculpture Park because it is the first work of art that visitors see when they reach the main entrance. The series has been going strong since 1999, and this summer New York-based contemporary artist and photographer Vera Lutter’s work will be installed on the board.
Lutter’s photographic works are in public collections around the world, from Kunsthalle Basel to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and now those who visit Socrates will be able to see a recent work by the accomplished artist. The camera obscura image titled Degas Horses was taken of sculptures by Edgar Degas from the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., over the course of two days, and now you have three months to view it in person.
Suspect Terrain
Date(s): May 17 - August 30
Taken at face value, the idea of someone creating a sculpture inspired by a massive sinkhole is enough to pique one’s interest, but there is more to artist Heide Fasnacht’s upcoming installation than a structure being consumed by Earth.
“I take the collapse as a plan to reconstruct in however fractured a fashion,” said the artist in a statement about her work. “These become objects of reflection on the instability we now all live with, on the flux of life, and the ability to create nonetheless.” While it will be inspired by actual sinkhole events around the world, Socrates Sculpture Park writes that Fasnacht’s structure will also reference the site’s history as an illegal dumpsite and landfill.
Summer Solstice Celebration
Date(s): June 21
Every year, Socrates’ Solstice Festival welcomes the community to celebrate the longest day of the year with workshops, performances, and lots of fun for the entire family. This summer, the Queens Symphony Orchestra will provide a live concert, and Urban Shaman Mama Donna will perform a Solstice ritual to celebrate the event.
Metropolitan Opera Recital
Date(s): June 24
Warm summer nights are the perfect time to sit on the grass and enjoy a free recital by the very talented Metropolitan Opera while the sun sets on the city. The event will end this year with a special site-specific dance performance.