Colossal Stone Figures Against Modern Architectural Structures: Ugo Rondinone's Human Nature at Rockefeller Center

The newest outdoor art exhibition, "Human Nature" by Swiss-born, New York-based artist Ugo Rondinone, was unveiled recently at the iconic Rockefeller Center. The exhibition features nine 16- to 20-foot tall, human-shaped stone figures at the plaza between 49th and 50th Streets. The stone sculptures are on view through June 7, 2013. Presented by Nespresso, the free exhibition is organized by Public Art Fund and Tishman Speyer. 

“The stone figure is the most archetypal representation of the human form; an elemental symbol of the human spirit, connected to the earth yet mythic in the imagination. The image of the figure belongs to nobody, is timeless, and universal,” said artist Ugo Rondinone.

Ugo Rondinone Sculptures In The Atrium At 590 Madison Avenue

Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone has installed tree sculptures in the atrium of the former IBM Building at 590 Madison Avenue and 57th Street. The sculpture garden in the atrium is the perfect place to display the pieces, which are  actually casts of olive trees from Basilicata. Ugo said that the olive trees are over 2,000 years old." Trees have been emblematic in his work, and Ugo said, "Trees are a natural sculpture. I don’t have to do anything. I make molds by sections, then do castings." Casts were made in 2009.