This is the Bust of Sylvette, an enlarged version of an original sculpture, Portrait of Sylvette, done by Picasso in 1954. The new piece, 60 tons and 36 feet tall, was reinterpreted/executed by Norwegian sculptor Carl Nesjär in 1967. The sculpture sits in the courtyard of Silver Towers development (originally University Village), a complex of three 32-story apartment buildings – two used as NYU faculty housing (Silver Towers) and one a middle-income coop. One of these towers is seen in the photo. The sculpture was commissioned by architect I. M. Pei, who designed the buildings in 1966 for New York University.
I find this small plaza and its surrounding buildings somewhat bleak, however, architectural reviews generally seem quite favorable, citing many unique features of the design and construction of the towers. The sculpture’s concrete was made with a Norwegian black stone aggregate, sandblasted to recreate the etched black lines of the original. Picasso was involved in the scaled translation, material, and its placement in the plaza. In 1972, Christo (the environmental installation artist who did the Gates of Central Park numerous other works) did a wrapping of the sculpture, Wrapped Sylvette…
I´ve been folowing your blog for sometime now but this is my first comment. Just wanted to say your photos rock!!!! New York is such a rich and interesting place, I´m glad you know how to take advantage of this through your camera!
Love everything about it!!!
I wonder why they decided to use this particular piece by Picasso in this way, and also why this partial use of the complete piece. I don’t think I have ever heard of anything else like this, a partial sculpture by a famous artist blown up into a very large scale and then placed in a certain way in relation to the building…
Monica- Thanks much!
Lucy – I was not aware it was a partial sculpture. Did you see the original?
Brian
No, I thought you meant it was partial, but it could just have been a “bust” after all. Just odd to blow it up so large, tho, I wonder if that has been done before…
Please note: 1934 is NOT correct date of original.
Picasso did not meet the pony tail girl till 1953.
The original Sylvette was done in 1954.
FYI
Anonymous,
Correction noted – Thanks!
Nice photo that brings back memories… I was 6 years old and living in the center of the three buildings when the sculpture was installed.
Aaron,
The things that bring back memories of youth are always special. I have been inspired in my writing by so many such things.
Brian