Art in Nature: A Summer Day at Storm King Art Center
Nestled in the picturesque Hudson Valley, an hour away from Manhattan, Storm King Art Center stands as one of the premier sculpture parks in the world, spanning over 500 acres of rolling hills, woodlands, and fields. Founded in 1960 by Ralph E. Ogden and H. Peter Stern, it has since become a haven for modern and contemporary sculpture. The ambition of Storm King Art Center was to create a dialogue between art and nature, allowing visitors to experience artworks outside the traditional confines of a museum. The sculptures are thoughtfully placed throughout the landscape, encouraging viewers to stroll around following multiple trails in nature and to engage with the art in a calming and personal way.
The park features works by renowned artists such as Alexander Calder, Isamu Noguchi, Henry Moore, Mark di Suvero, and Richard Serra. Calder's playful kinetic sculptures, Noguchi's serene stone works, Moore's abstract forms, di Suvero's towering steel structures, and Serra's imposing metal plates are among the highlights that draw art enthusiasts from around the globe.
For those who seek a tranquil escape from the city on a hot summer day, the peacefulness of an art wander through the woods and hills will be much appreciated. The sculptures grandiosity showcased outside the traditional walls of a museum definitely provides viewers with a newfound perspective, experiencing the profound connection between creativity and the natural world.
One of the current highlights at Storm King is Arlene Shechet’s “Girl Group” show. Once known for her work in ceramics, Shechet now commands the rolling hills with a chorus of six giant welded works. Her exhibition features monumental steel and aluminum sculptures, painted in vivid colors, that stand as a playful yet powerful commentary on the male-dominated field of large-scale sculpture. The works challenge traditional notions of material and monumentality, bringing a fresh, feminine perspective to the park. In addition to the outdoor sculptures, the exhibition includes corresponding ceramic-and-steel works displayed inside Storm King’s museum building. These pieces, created during the pandemic, provided the creative seed for the outdoor constructions.
“Girl Group” will run until November, potentially joining the permanent collection alongside other celebrated works.