Just Swingin’ at the Park

 

The landscape is even more arresting at Rye Town Park with the installation of <Window II>, an interactive sculpture created by New York-based Japanese artist Natsuki Takauji. This new work of art is a functioning swing surrounded by colorful windows. Made of stainless steel, steel, paint, fabric, and acrylic, <Window II> stands ten feet tall. You won’t find the typical “do not touch” sign near this sculpture. Visitors are encouraged to climb aboard and enjoy the swing.

 

The public is invited to learn more about Ms. Takauji and her work at an artist talk beside the sculpture Thursday, July 26, at 5:30.

 

Describing the work, Takauji says, “<Window> means our perception. We are seeing everything through some sort of window, and I am hoping this interactive sculpture will give a new experience of art in nature, art in public, and also one’s perception.” She adds, “Swing is a metaphor of our life, we never stay still, moving from space to space, state to state, emotion to emotion. The design of it can remind us of many things that contain us and move us forward.”

 

Takauji studied drawing, painting, and sculpture at The Art Students League of New York where she currently teaches metal sculpture. Her work has been shown at the Venice Architecture Biennale and the Berkeley College Gallery. As the title implies, <Window II> echoes a previous work by Takauji, <Window>, which was displayed in Manhattan’s Riverside Park in 2014-2015.

 

<Window II> is part of The Rye Arts Center’s Public Art Initiative led by local sculptor Bob Clyatt. The installation will remain in Rye Town Park for one year.