Niki in the Garden
The Extraordinary Sculptures of Niki de Saint Phalle At the Garfield Park Conservatory May 4 - October 31, 2007
Release Date: 03/15/07
Coming to Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory this spring will be more than 30 extraordinary and monumental outdoor sculptures by the internationally-renowned artist, Niki de Saint Phalle. Entitled Niki in the Garden, this spectacular exhibition of Saint Phalle’s imaginative artwork will be beautifully displayed in the building and on the grounds of the Garfield Park Conservatory from May 4 through October 31, 2007.
Niki in the Gardenis presented by the Chicago Park District, The Boeing Company, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Chicago Office of Tourism and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism, as part of the citywide celebration, Art of Play: Summer in Chicago 2007. The exhibition has received support from the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance and American Airlines. The sculpture “Firebird” has been graciously lent by the Andreas H. Bechtler Arts Foundation of North Carolina.
Massive in scale, Saint Phalle’s magical and joyful works include enormous animals, mythical figures, totems, sports heroes and most famously, her Nanas—oversized, often dancing, powerful women celebrating life. Some of the pieces reach as high as eighteen feet and span up to twenty-five feet long and most invite sitting, climbing or crawling through their secret passages. The fiberglass sculptures are brilliantly embellished with mirrors, glass, semi-precious stones and ceramic mosaics that come to life in all kinds of light.
“The Chicago Park District is delighted to be able to showcase this amazing exhibit by Niki de Saint Phalleat the Garfield Park Conservatory,” said Timothy J. Mitchell, general superintendent and chief executive officer of the Chicago Park District. “Chicagoans are sure to enjoy this wonderful exhibit, just as her work has been enjoyed by international audiences for decades.”
“We're proud to play a role in bringing this wonderfully imaginative exhibition to Chicagoand to the Garfield Park Conservatory,” said Rick Stephens, Boeing senior vice president, Human Resources and Administration. “Boeing has a close relationship with the Conservatory and this upcoming exhibition will bring families and youngsters together and even more positive attention to GarfieldParkso this area of Chicagocontinues to realize its potential as one of Chicago’s most vibrant neighborhoods.”
“Niki’s whimsical sculptures really capture the spirit of our city and the accessibility of the arts for everyone to enjoy,” said Lois Weisberg, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. “The exhibition is the perfect centerpiece for our summer celebration, Art of Play, because the sculptures are wonderfully interactive and will appeal to Chicagoans and visitors of all ages.”
Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculptures will be found throughout the grounds of the Garfield Park Conservatory, located at 300 N. Central Park Avenue, 15 minutes west of downtown Chicago. The Conservatory is open every day from 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.and on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.to 8:00 p.m.There is a suggested donation of $5 per adult, children are free.
Niki de Saint Phalle was born in 1930 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Franceand raised in New York City. A passionately imaginative and self-taught artist, Saint Phalle was extremely prolific, creating a stunning repertoire of work that includes sculptures, paintings and illustrations. She is best known for her work on the sensual and overtly womanly Nanas, which is French for “babes” or “chicks.” Calling the large-scale sculptures and architectural installations “heralds of a new matriarchal age,” Saint Phalle boldly personified her idea of feminine empowerment in these uninhibited, colorful Nanas. Their frenetic dancing, outrageous shapes and shades have appeared in museums, advertisements and outdoor sculptural exhibits around the world. Other notable works include Hon in Stockholm (1966), the Stravinsky Fountain in Paris (1983), Noah’s Ark in Jerusalem (1998), Queen Califia’s Magical Circle in Escondido (1999—2003) and her most important work, the Tarot Garden in Tuscany (1980—1998). In the early 1990s, Saint Phalle settled in southern California, and in 2000 she was awarded the acclaimed 12thPremium Imperial Prize in the sculpture category, considered the Nobel Prize in the art world. She remained in Californiauntil her death in 2002.
Niki in the Garden is made possible by the Niki Charitable Art Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to the late artist’s ideals and the preservation of her legacy for future generations. The Foundation is headed by Bloum Cardenas, the artist’s granddaughter.
The Garfield Park Conservatory is located at 300 N. Central Park Avenueand is easily accessible by automobile or public transportation. From I-290, exit Independence Avenue(3800 west) and travel north. Turn east onto Washington Blvd. Turn north onto Central Park Avenue(3600 west). Free parking is available just south of the Conservatory’s main entrance.
Niki in the Garden will be the highlight of Art of Play: Summer in Chicago 2007, a citywide celebration exploring games, toys and the spirit of play, from June 1 to September 30, 2007. To book hotel accommodations or obtain Art of Play: Summer in Chicago2007 brochures, call 1.877.CHICAGO or visit www.cityofchicago.org/Tourismbeginning mid-May.Brochures will also be available at Visitors Information Centers at the ChicagoCulturalCenter, 77 E. Randolph St., and at Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. Art of Play: Summer in Chicago 2007 is a collaborative effort with Chicagocommunity cultural organizations, the Chicago Office of Tourism, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Mayor's Office of Special Events and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism.
For more information about Niki in the Garden, call 1.877.CHICAGO or visit www.cityofchicago.org/Tourism.
Note to Press: Electronic Images Available Upon Request
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529
- Publication Date: 03/15/07