Rockefeller Center Avenue of the Americas Concourse Remodelling
Rockefeller Center’s Design Planning and Engineering Management Corporation remodeled the Concourse between 51st Street on the north and 47th Street on the south. This underground entry to the NYC transit subway system includes a design for a 13 foot cast bas relief sculpture entitled “Radio and Television Encompassing the Earth” as the dramatic centerpiece on the westside of Avenue of the Americas remodeled concourse renovated in 1988. This piece was based on the watercolor and design of Hildreth Meire. I was responsible for all aspects of the creation and the installation of the sculpture working along with Alan Hantman, Director of Design, Anthony Caserma, project manager, and the Construction Architecture team from Brennan Beer Gorman/ architects. All project expectations were met within the scheduled budget and on time.
Radio City Music Hall, Bronze Relief Cloisonne
A bronze cloisonne 2 foot relief of the goddess Athena was created for installation in the private executive elevator at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. I was hired as the sculptor to create the relief based on the criteria of Radio City Music Hall. The artist worked with the architectural firm, Brennan, Beer, Gorman with architect Hugo Consuegra under the directorship of Alan Hantman, director of design for Rockefeller Center. Adherence to the detailed requirements for the specifications was necessary.
Rain Forest Steam Room
Richard Nash Gould, Architect designed a free standing building for Marlo Thomas in Westport Ct. This building houses a steam room which I designed, conceived and created a 360 degree rainforest,1500 square foot bas relief environment out of appropriate materials to withstand the extreme temperatures and environmental conditions. The room space incorporates a door with a life-size carved ebony monkey door handle. The room itself, as per the blue prints, has seven sides with only one right angle. The project scope required the strict adherence to the architectural, engineering, and design specifications. As the sculptor, chief designer, and project leader, I assembled a team of seven professionals necessary to accomplish the task in the time allotted. Coordination with Ken Billington, the theatre lighting designer, was also incorporated for the project. Proficient expertise in coordinating the team to solve many complicated and technical problems along with the aesthetic and artistic concerns are necessary in a project of this scale. The delivery and installation of the entire steam room was completed under my leadership and supervision. The project was completed in 1995 within budget, and on time.
Temple Doors
Congregation Beth El, Bennington, VT
The front doors of the synagogue were installed in 1990 and are the gift of Rolf Sternberg, given in memory of his grandparents, Max and Henny Sternberg, who were victims of the holocaust. The inlay panels and the door handles in the form of the Shofar are the orginal work of the sculptor, G. L. Sussman. The panels on the left depict a Menorah, with the name of the congregation, Beth El, written above it in Hebrew. The original Menorah (7 lamps mounted on a single stand) was in the ancient temple of Jerusalem and its localization of light symbolizes life.
The carving of the right hand panel constitutes what mathematicians call “A magic square”. In the nine spaces of the three by three square, the Hebrew letters, each of which represents a numeral, are placed in such a way that each column and each diagonal adds up to fifteen. The sequence of letters of the name for G-d which appears frequently in The Bible adds up to fifteen. Consequently, the square indirectly symbolizes G-d’s name, stressing the meaning of the synagogue’s name, Beth El, “House of G-d” without violating the tradition that G-d’s name is never written except in sacred context.
The New Jersey 9/11 Memorial Design Competition
A collaboration project designed with Richard S. Jacobs, architect.
Overview
The New Jersey 9/11 memorial creates a sanctuary for visitors to come to remember, honor, reflect or mourn the lives of those lost on September 11th, 2001. The site and design concept considers the open space and vast views of the Lower Basin Harbor and Morris Canal. The design endeavors to create a secluded place with sculptures integrated into the architecture depicting disbelief, sorrow, courage and resolve. The memorial is a protected environment which provides a unique visual and educational experience, full of grandeur, function and purpose.
NYC Brownstone
Hand carved facade on a NYC 5 story brownstone, private residence.