'the plinth' will be the high line's new destination for public art

in 2019, the high line will welcome a new landmark destination for public art. designed as the focal point of the spur — the newest section of new york’s famous elevated park — the plinth will be the first space on the high line, and one of the only sites in new york city, dedicated solely to a rotating series of new, monumental, contemporary art commissions.

the plinth will be dedicated to a rotating series of art commissions
image by james corner field operations and diller scofidio + renfro, courtesy of the city of new york

the spur is one of two parts of the high line that its designers — james corner field operations and diller scofidio + renfro — are still developing. unlike most of the other sections of the park where visitors are moving along thoroughfares, the spur is conceived as a natural gathering space. the plinth will serve as an anchor at the center of this plaza, creating a dialogue with the surrounding buildings and skyscrapers.

brick house is a 16-foot-tall bronze female bust
image by james corner field operations and diller scofidio + renfro, courtesy of the city of new york

the plinth is located on the newest section of the park opening at 30th street, where a large open space will offer sweeping views. artworks selected for the plinth will thus become part of the cityscape itself, remaining on display for 18 months. inspired by trafalgar square’s fourth plinth in london, the large scale and high visibility of the plinth offers artists a unique platform to inspire a diverse public audience.

simone leigh gazing at her sculpture while in progress
image by timothy schenck

the inaugural high line plinth was initiated by an international advisory committee of 13 artists, curators, and art world professionals who each submitted recommendations of artists to invite to submit a proposal. 12 proposals were then selected from the initial group of 50, with simone leigh’s brick house ultimately chosen as the inaugural commission. brick house will be unveiled at the opening of the spur in 2019 and will remain on view through september 2020.

the spur is conceived as a natural gathering space
image by friends of the high line