A new public art installation in Greenpoint will be fully immersive with the goal of drawing out viewers' inner child.
“Plaid encourages the viewer to connect with the inner child and experience the simplicity of joy before growing up and feeling the burden of adulthood,” said Brooklyn-based, contemporary artist Cj Hendry.
Hendry is originally from Brisbane, Australia and is known for creating hyper-realistic, large-scale drawings. Plaid will be her 10th solo exhibition.
“On a selfish level, I am bored by traditional galleries hanging artworks on white walls. I want to really understand the artist's vision and that's what I try to create with my exhibitions,” Hendry said.
The artist’s latest creation comprises a 5,000-square-foot, double-height plaid-patterned labyrinth playground.
“I thought, how great would it be for a playground to be a public art sculpture?” she said.
In addition to the adult-sized playground, 24 large-scale, hyper-realistic pencil drawings will also be displayed. The “Plaidground” installation is designed to mimic the plaid pattern featured in the artist's drawings.
“I enjoy creating conceptual exhibitions that take elements of the series and blow them up on a massive scale,” said Hendry.
In Hendry’s previous exhibit "Monochrome," she built an entire multi-room home inside a warehouse with each room entirely monochrome-colored from floor to ceiling.
For her show "Rorschach," guests jumped through a gigantic bouncy house maze in order to reach and finally view the impressive series.
Additionally, in her exhibit "Epilogue" Hendry renovated a dilapidated London church and had 10 tonnes of petal-shaped confetti drop from the ceiling over the 10-day run.
“I would love for each original artwork to only be able to be viewed as the entire experience, it brings such a greater depth to the genre of hyperrealism,” she said.
Plaid will be located at the corner Calyer and Newel streets in Greenpoint. The exhibition is open to the public on April 17-23 with a $10 entry fee. Guests will receive a complimentary pair of Plaid grip socks upon entry.
A sold-out ticketed show will also be running from April 14 to 16. For more information, click here.
