concrete playground by iran do espirito santo

iran do espírito santo, playground, 2013
pigmented cast concrete, 13’ 6” x 13’ 6” x 13’ 6”
exhibition presented by public art fund; on view at doris c. freedman plaza, central park,
september 10, 2013 – february 16, 2014
courtesy of sean kelly gallery, new york, and galeria fortes vilaça, são paulo
photo: james ewing, courtesy public art fund, NY © iran do espírito santo 2013

brazilian artist iran do espírito santo’s concrete playground sits just outside central park, echoing the facades of nearby new york city buildings. opened by public art fund, the architectural fragments that comprise ‘playground’ are realized as a contemplation between construction and destruction, while the negative space becomes an immersive installation. at first glance, the 13-square-foot cube appears to be built with individual gray blocks, geometrically stacked atop one another. but upon closer inspection, viewers are able to realize that the bricks are not connected by mortar, but rather a single cast concrete block which, as an optical illusion, toys with the idea of perception versus reality. missing corners of the cube, as well as fragmented openings form seats for visitors.

iran do espírito santo, playground, 2013
pigmented cast concrete, 13’ 6” x 13’ 6” x 13’ 6”
exhibition presented by public art fund; on view at doris c. freedman plaza, central park,
september 10, 2013 – february 16, 2014
courtesy of sean kelly gallery, new york, and galeria fortes vilaça, são paulo
photo: james ewing, courtesy public art fund, NY © iran do espírito santo 2013

iran do espírito santo, playground, 2013
pigmented cast concrete, 13’ 6” x 13’ 6” x 13’ 6”
exhibition presented by public art fund; on view at doris c. freedman plaza, central park,
september 10, 2013 – february 16, 2014
courtesy of sean kelly gallery, new york, and galeria fortes vilaça, são paulo
photo: james ewing, courtesy public art fund, NY © iran do espírito santo 2013

iran do espírito santo, playground, 2013
pigmented cast concrete, 13’ 6” x 13’ 6” x 13’ 6”
exhibition presented by public art fund; on view at doris c. freedman plaza, central park,
september 10, 2013 – february 16, 2014
courtesy of sean kelly gallery, new york, and galeria fortes vilaça, são paulo
photo: james ewing, courtesy public art fund, NY © iran do espírito santo 2013

iran do espírito santo, playground, 2013
pigmented cast concrete, 13’ 6” x 13’ 6” x 13’ 6”
exhibition presented by public art fund; on view at doris c. freedman plaza, central park,
september 10, 2013 – february 16, 2014
courtesy of sean kelly gallery, new york, and galeria fortes vilaça, são paulo
photo: james ewing, courtesy public art fund, NY © iran do espírito santo 2013

iran do espírito santo, playground, 2013
pigmented cast concrete, 13’ 6” x 13’ 6” x 13’ 6”
exhibition presented by public art fund; on view at doris c. freedman plaza, central park,
september 10, 2013 – february 16, 2014
courtesy of sean kelly gallery, new york, and galeria fortes vilaça, são paulo
photo: james ewing, courtesy public art fund, NY © iran do espírito santo 2013

iran do espírito santo, playground, 2013
pigmented cast concrete, 13’ 6” x 13’ 6” x 13’ 6”
exhibition presented by public art fund; on view at doris c. freedman plaza, central park,
september 10, 2013 – february 16, 2014
courtesy of sean kelly gallery, new york, and galeria fortes vilaça, são paulo
photo: james ewing, courtesy public art fund, NY © iran do espírito santo 2013

(left and right) iran do espírito santo, playground, 2013
pigmented cast concrete, 13’ 6” x 13’ 6” x 13’ 6”
exhibition presented by public art fund; on view at doris c. freedman plaza, central park,
september 10, 2013 – february 16, 2014
courtesy of sean kelly gallery, new york, and galeria fortes vilaça, são paulo
photo: james ewing, courtesy public art fund, NY © iran do espírito santo 2013