JAKE CLARK AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER
NEW YORK, NY - Rockefeller Center and Art Production Fund are pleased to announce a holiday-inspired installation by New York-based artist JAKE CLARK opening November 18. This site-specific presentation will feature fourteen new ceramic sculptures inspired by New York City and the beloved holiday season at Rockefeller Center. Carefully rendered on Clark’s vessels, symbols of the city will draw in locals and visitors alike to partake in its embrace of the spirit of this season.
Known for his vibrant sculptures that feature innovative reinterpretations of classic sites and logos, Jake Clark brings a fresh perspective to the world of ceramics. Drawing on cultural icons, nostalgia, and pop art influences, Clark blends tradition with a contemporary style that appeals to audiences of all ages.
Rockefeller Center holds an important place in Clark’s childhood experience of New York City, which he visited from Australia during the winter holidays. Filled with child-like wonder while witnessing the monuments of Rockefeller Center, the bright signage of Radio City Music Hall, or even a classic pretzel cart or a yellow taxi, these quintessential emblems on Clark’s vessels draw the viewer back to their youthful joy.
More recent Rockefeller Center locales such as the restaurants Lodi, Le Rock, and Ralph’s Coffee Truck will also be featured, a continuation of Clark’s longtime inspiration found in restaurants.
In the Rink Level beneath 45 Rockefeller Plaza, a massive mural will feature imagery of numerous ceramic sculptures repeating continuously along the 125-foot display. This large-scale reproduction of the works showcases Clark’s style in a new format, transforming his signature handmade ceramics into bold, larger-than-life vinyl installations. These reproductions will also appear across the Center in several public locations (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, and more), adding an exciting visual spectacle to the holiday landscape.
A newly commissioned free-standing sculpture will be installed in the lobby of 45 Rockefeller Plaza. “As snow gently falls, ice skaters glide across the rink beneath the watchful gaze of the gilded Prometheus statue, creating a scene that feels straight out of a classic holiday movie.” says Clark.
Born in 1985 in Melbourne, Australia. JAKE CLARK is an autodidact artist and ceramicist who lives and works in New York City. Clark has exhibited his works all over the globe, including Dubai, Los Angeles, and Athens; his works are included in the most important private and prominent public collections around the world. Recent solo exhibitions; A Hug from the Art World, East Hampton, NY; Bill Brady Gallery, “Miami Vice” Miami FL; Rodolphe Janssen, “More life”, Brussels, Belgium; Galerie Julian Cadet, “icons” Paris, France; Kantor Gallery, “pico and Glendon” Los Angeles, Ca; ATM Gallery, “half sandwich and matzo ball soup” New York, NY; Galeria Mascota, “all of a sudden” Aspen, CO.
“The vibrancy of Rockefeller Center is not just in its visual appeal, but also in the shared experiences it offers to families and friends. From the Rink to its restaurants, the Center serves as a whimsical stage for all the laughter, joy, and dance of the holidays. I am thrilled to create new work inspired by this iconic time of year in New York City.” - JAKE CLARK.
“Jake Clark’s work at Rockefeller Center during the holiday season is the perfect tribute to some of the most beloved parts of our city. Through his unique interpretations and painting on hand formed ceramics, Clark celebrates New York City and Rockefeller Center with a refreshing, modern twist. We’re happy to
share this festive installation with visitors from around the world and celebrate Jake’s vision during one of the most enchanting times of the year."– CASEY FREMONT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ART PRODUCTION FUND.
"Rockefeller Center has been the heart of the holiday season in New York City for almost a century. We're honored that Jake Clark was inspired by the Center's rich history and traditions—as well as its newly vibrant additions—for this festive and joyful installation. Clark’s mural and sculptures are beautiful, whimsical additions to our winter season." – EB KELLY, HEAD OF ROCKEFELLER CENTER AND SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR AT TISHMAN SPEYER.
ART IN FOCUS is a multidisciplinary program that showcases installations by contemporary artists inspired by the New York City landscape and contemporary life. Artists featured in the series will have their work displayed in a number of prominent and unexpected public locations throughout Rockefeller Center. Art in Focus is presented in partnership with Rockefeller Center and Art Production Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to commissioning and producing ambitious public art projects, reaching new audiences, and expanding awareness through contemporary art. Past Art in Focus artists include Joana Avillez, Hein Koh, Portia Munson, LaKela Brown, Lucy Sparrow, Angelica Hicks, Vanessa German, Ryan Flores, Genevieve Gaignard, Oliver Jeffers, Hiba Schahbaz, Sanford Biggers, Hilary Pecis, Maurice Harris, Lisa Congdon, Max Colby, Hugo McCloud, Emily Mullin, Arghavan Khosravi, Lorraine Nam, Joel Gaitan, Basil Kincaid, Dominique Fung, Debbie Lawson, Melissa Joseph, Joel Mesler and Shantell Martin.
TISHMAN SPEYER is a leading owner, developer, operator and investment manager of first-class real estate in 36 key markets across the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Our portfolio spans market rate and affordable residential communities, premier office properties and retail spaces, industrial facilities, and mixed-use campuses. We create state-of-the-art life science centers through our Breakthrough Properties joint venture, and foster innovation through our strategic proptech investments. With global vision, on-the-ground expertise and a personalized approach, we foster innovation, quickly adapt to global and local trends and proactively anticipate our customers’ evolving needs. By focusing on health and wellness, enlightened placemaking and customer-focused initiatives such as our tenant amenities platform, ZO, and our flexible space and co-working brand, Studio, we tend not just to our physical buildings, but to the people who inhabit them on a daily basis. Since our inception in 1978, Tishman Speyer has acquired, developed, and operated 557 properties, totaling 226 million square feet, with a combined value of over $128 billion (U.S.). Our current portfolio includes such iconic assets as Rockefeller Center in New York City, The Springs in Shanghai, TaunusTurm in Frankfurt and the Mission Rock neighborhood currently being realized in San Francisco.
ART PRODUCTION FUND is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to commissioning and producing ambitious public art projects, reaching new audiences and expanding awareness through contemporary art. Past projects include: Elmgreen & Dragset,“Prada Marfa,” Valentine, TX, Ugo Rondinone, “Seven Magic Mountains,” Las Vegas, Jeff Koons, “Seated Ballerina,” Rockefeller Plaza, NYC, Zoe Buckman, “CHAMP,” LA; Raul de Nieves “When I Look In To Your Eyes I See the Sun,” Miami; Nancy Baker Cahill “Liberty Bell”, multiple cities; Sanford Biggers “Oracle”, Rockefeller Center, NY; Lucy Sparrow “Tampa Fresh Foods'', Tampa, FL. Derrick Adams “Funtime Unicorns”, Rockefeller Center, NY, Sanford Biggers “Oracle”, Hammer Museum. www.artproductionfund.org
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