A giant pigeon will stand on the streets of New York. “Dinosaur” is the work of artist Iván Argote

A new sculpture will soon hit the streets of New York. It will be very unusual and will probably arouse various emotions and make New Yorkers think more deeply about its meaning. We are talking about a giant pigeon by Iván Argote, which he has named ‘Dinosaur’. His work will stand on Plinth – one of the few sites in New York dedicated exclusively to a changing series of monumental contemporary art installations.

Plinth is located on Spur, on the High Line at 30th Street and 10th Avenue, where the large open space offers excellent views of the city and a vibrant area. The artworks here become part of the cityscape itself, remaining on display for 18 months. Plinth was inaugurated with the sculpture ‘Brick House’ by Simone Leigh (2019), followed by ‘Untitled (Drone)’ Sam Durant (2021) and ‘Old Tree’ by Pamela Rosnekranz (2023). The High Line has announced that the next sculpture to adorn this iconic space on the New York map will be ‘Dinosaur’ by Iván Argote. The monumental, hyper-realistic sculpture of a pigeon, made of aluminium, will be installed in October 2024 and will remain here for 18 months.

The sculpture will be placed on a concrete pedestal that resembles typical New York pavements and buildings, which provide a natural habitat for the city’s pigeons. Argote reverses the traditional relationship between man and bird, making the monumental pigeon tower over passers-by and the cars that will pass under its huge legs. Argote explains that the name ‘Dinosaur’ refers to the pigeon’s ancestors that dominated the Earth millions of years ago, just as humans dominate today. The name is also a reminder of the inevitability of the extinction that befell the dinosaurs, which may one day affect us too. The artist suggests that the sculpture may arouse mixed feelings in New Yorkers, ranging from fascination to fear to irritation.

High Line Art curator Cecilia Alemani points out that Argote’s sculpture introduces a humorous element to New York’s urban landscape, prompting viewers to rethink everyday things. The work also brings a critical but playful perspective on the role of public art in the city. “Dinosaur” is the fourth piece in Plinth’s High Line programme, which aims to bring public art into the New York City landscape. Argote’s proposal has aroused extreme emotions among New Yorkers, which only confirms the impact of his art.

The sculpture ‘Dinosaur’ celebrates an anonymous pigeon that, despite its ubiquity, is worthy of being honoured more than many of the historical heroes often revered in classical monuments. Argote also reminds us that we are all immigrants – even the pigeons who arrived in New York from Europe in the 19th century, populating the city like millions of its residents. Argote, born in Bogotá, is the first South American artist to realise a project for High Line Plinth. His work, infused with themes of social justice and reflection on history, is often inspired by his childhood in a family with a long tradition of political activism. Through his work, the artist questions our relationship with power, institutions and dominant historical narratives, while proposing new ways of using public space symbolically.

Source: The High Lane