NOHRA HAIME GALLERY 730 FIFTH AVENUE NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE ON PARK AVENUE 2012
EXHIBITION FACT SHEET July 12 to November 15, 2012
Exhibition: NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE ON PARK AVENUE 2012
When: July 12 to November 15, 2012
Where: On Park Avenue from 52nd to 60th Streets in New York City Niki de Saint Phalle. Nana on a Dolphin, 1998 Opening: July 12 from 5pm -8pm © 2012 Niki Charitable Art Foundation, All rights reserved. Photo: © Nohra Haime. Description: This major site-specific installation will include nine monumental sculptures made of polyester resin, with mosaics of ceramic, mirror and stained glass, towering as high as 16 feet and as wide as 13 feet. It will feature Saint Phalle’s signature nanas and totems, as well as works from her iconic Black Heroes depicting legendary jazz musicians and athletes.
Curator: Nohra Haime About The Artist: Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002) was a prominent French-American artist self taught sculptor, painter and film-maker. Through her work, the multi-faceted de Saint Phalle, created a unique universe which established her international reputation. Some of her best known public sculptures are The Stravinsky Fountain next to the Centre Pompidou in Paris (1983), The Tarot Garden at Garavicchio in southern Tuscany (opened 1998), The Grotto in Hannover’s Royal Herrenhausen Garden (2003, finished postumously), and the Queen Califia’s Magical Circle in California (2003). Saint Phalle, who began her career as an artist in the 1950’s, was awarded in 2000 the 12th Praemium Imperial Prize in Japan, considered to be the equivalent to the Nobel Prize in the art world. Born in 1930, in Neuilly Sur Seine, Saint Phalle died in 2002, at the age of 71 in La Jolla, California.
The Works: Nine sculptures will be exhibited including Les Baigneurs, (1983) made in polyester resin representing Saint Phalle’s first period. Later works in mosaic and painted polyester such as Nana On a Dolphin, (1998) and Les Trois Graces, (1999) will be displayed along Park Avenue. Important works from the Black Heroes series such as Louis Armstrong, (1999) and Miles Davis, (1999) which show tribute to famous jazz musicians, #19 Baseball Player, (1999) a tribute to Tony Gwynn, and #23 Basketball Player, (1999) honoring Michael Jordan will also be included. Niki’s Grand Step Totem, (2001), a work from her sculpture garden Queen Califia’s Magical Circle in Escondido, California will be part of the exhibition too.
Sponsors: The Nohra Haime Gallery and the Niki Charitable Art Foundation under the auspices of the Sculpture Committee of the Fund for Park Avenue and the New York City Parks & Recreation’s Public Art Program.
Programming: A variety of programs ranging from tours to lectures are being planned in conjunction with the exhibition. Details and dates for all events will be provided when the time nears.
BRUNCH FOR THE PRESS: Wednesday July 12th at 10 a.m., Nohra Haime Gallery, 730 Fifth Avenue Bloum Cardenas, trustee, Niki Charitable Art Foundation, and Camille Morineau, Curator at the Centre Pompidou will be talking.
This event will coincide with the ten year commemoration of Niki de Saint Phalle’s passing.
Media Contact: Leslie Garrett 212-888-3550 [email protected] NEW YORK, NY 10019 212-888-3550 FAX 212-888-7869 [email protected]