The Parrish Art Museum, nestled in Water Mill, New York, invites visitors to explore art beyond its gallery walls with “Field of Dreams,” an outdoor sculpture exhibition transforming its expansive meadows into a captivating art landscape. Launched on August 20, 2020, and extending through August 31, 2021, this inaugural exhibition marks a significant step in the Museum’s “Art in the Meadow” initiative, designed to animate the grounds with a dynamic program of art, performances, and projections that harmonize with the museum’s distinctive architecture and surrounding environment.
Bronze sculptures by Jaume Plensa in Field of Dreams exhibition at Parrish Art Museum
A Gathering of International Artistic Visions
“Field of Dreams” showcases the work of ten acclaimed international and multi-generational artists, each contributing their unique perspective to this open-air gallery. Among the highlights is a site-specific installation by the renowned interdisciplinary artist Theaster Gates. Adding to the exhibition’s depth are four new sculptures from the celebrated Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, known for his contemplative figurative works. Furthermore, the exhibition proudly features new pieces by Parrish collection artist Jim Dine, alongside contributions from other esteemed collection artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Joel Perlman, and Joel Shapiro. The exhibition is further enriched by sculptures from Bernar Venet, and, installed later in October, monumental works by Isa Genzken and Giuseppe Penone, completing a diverse and compelling artistic dialogue within the landscape.
Meadow Spaces Designed for Artful Engagement
The Parrish Art Museum’s 14-acre grounds, masterfully designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron in collaboration with landscape architects Reed Hilderbrand, provide an ideal setting for “Field of Dreams.” Landscape architect Mary Margaret Jones, President of HargreavesJones, played a crucial role in shaping three distinct Meadow spaces to enhance the exhibition experience. The Entry Meadow, located on the north side, gracefully guides visitors towards the museum entrance. The Terrace Meadow, situated on the west side, offers a more intimate viewing space. The expansive Great Meadow, a six-acre stretch to the south facing Montauk Highway, serves as the primary stage for the majority of the exhibited works, creating a dramatic backdrop for large-scale sculptures.
Sculptures in Harmony with Nature and Space
The Great Meadow, already a home to Roy Lichtenstein’s iconic Tokyo Brushstrokes, sets the scene for an array of powerful artworks. Joel Shapiro’s Untitled bronze sculpture acts as a central point, orienting visitors within a newly created network of pathways that meander through the meadow. Jaume Plensa’s poignant sculptures, Carlota (oak), Julia (oak), Laura Asia (oak), and Wilsis (oak), crafted in 2019, exemplify his exploration of the human-nature connection. These bronze portraits, originally carved from oak, invite contemplation and offer moments of stillness amidst the activity of the world. Theaster Gates’s thought-provoking Monument in Waiting directly engages with contemporary conversations around monuments and historical narratives. This installation of repurposed stone plinths on a granite plaza, deliberately lacking a central figure, prompts reflection on which stories are commemorated in public spaces, particularly concerning Black cultural and social histories. Jim Dine’s monumental The Wheatfield (Agincourt), evolving from 1989 to 2019, is an expansive assemblage built around a tractor axle, incorporating objects and symbols significant to the artist’s life and work, further expanded for its presentation at the Parrish. Bernar Venet’s imposing 13-foot COR-TEN steel sculpture, Arcs in Disorder: 220.5° Arc x 15″, stands at the southern edge of the Great Meadow, showcasing his signature blend of mathematical precision and artistic spontaneity.
In the Entrance Meadow, visitors encounter Jim Dine’s The Hooligan, a 2019 sculpture inspired by the Venus de Milo and reflective of Dine’s long-standing artistic themes. Joel Perlman’s Eastgate, from his Portal series, features a dynamic solid form swinging within a steel frame, inviting viewers to consider what lies beyond the immediate and the boundaries of perception.
Later additions to the exhibition, installed in October, include Isa Genzken’s towering Two Orchids, reaching 34 feet high in the Great Meadow. This piece serves as a commentary on the transformation of an exotic flower into an everyday object. Giuseppe Penone’s Ideas of Stone, a 30-foot cast bronze tree, is strategically placed among living trees, prompting a dialogue about the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Visit Field of Dreams
The “Field of Dreams” outdoor sculpture exhibition is a unique opportunity to experience contemporary art in a stunning natural setting. Located at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, New York, the exhibition is open and free to the public daily from 11 am to 5 pm. Visitors are kindly asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear masks while on Museum grounds, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
AUDIO GUIDE
NEWS
