Figures and Birds in Flight Adorn New York Avenue in New Sculpture Installation

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Visitors to DowntownDC this month will notice some new tenants along New York Avenue: headless bronze figures, stainless steel birds in flight and more. 

Currently on display are five sculpture works featuring 14 individual sculptures by artist Magdalena Abakanowicz (b. 1930) of Poland in the medians of New York Avenue NW between 12th and 13th streets in DowntownDC. Abakanowicz’ works, according to the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), “exemplify universal issues: the power of nature, the force of destruction and the resiliency of hope.

Abakanowicz’ art is influenced by her personal experience living in Poland under Nazi and Soviet occupation during World War II and its aftermath. 

The works are on display from Sept. 27, 2014-Sept. 27, 2015 as part of the New York Avenue Sculpture project

The New York Avenue Sculpture project began in 2010 to display public art by female artists in the New York Avenue medians. The effort, in turn, works to redefine the avenue as a pedestrian-friendly corridor and strengthen its sense of place as an arts and cultural district. The project is a partnership between NMWA, the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID), the D.C. Office of Planning (OP) and other local agencies.

At the dedication ceremony Sept. 30 at NMWA attended by the artist,  BID Executive Director Richard H. Bradley drew applause for noting the BID’s support to engage partners to further extend the New York Avenue Sculpture Project to Mt. Vernon Square.  

Museum representatives also took time to thank the DowntownDC BID Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance employees for their year-round cleaning and maintenance efforts in the area. 

This is the third installation of the project. From 2010 to 2012, Niki de Saint Phalle was the featured artist. From 2012-2014, works by Chakaia Booker were on display.