Located just south of the United Nations, the proposed mixed-use Freedom Plaza being developed by the Soloviev Group will feature the world premiere of Bruce Munro’s immersive public art project Field of Light across more than six acres from 38th to 41st Street on First Avenue.
The six-acre property will be transformed into a welcoming art project for the community and all New Yorkers in the autumn of 2023, and Field of Light will provide substantial possibilities for involvement and educational programmes during its 12-month run.
Field of Light, made possible by the Soloviev Foundation, will celebrate New York as a global symbol of freedom and hope. Thousands of low-light, fiber-optic stemmed spheres will slowly change colour at the Freedom Plaza installation, which was inspired by the human connection to the stars, the essential parts of our cosmos. The end result will resemble a soft, ethereal painting of a landscape. Field of Light will provide a moment of reflection in this one-of-a-kind waterfront park by existing at the intersection of art, technology, and nature.
Originally from London, Munro has become famous around the world for his large-scale light-based artworks that are informed by his lifelong interest in natural light and his curiosity about common human experiences.
“Bruce and I are on the same page when it comes to using green, cutting-edge technology to unleash creativity. Stefan Soloviev, head of the Soloviev Group, is overjoyed to be collaborating with him on such a pivotal endeavour.
“Light is a medium that has always been intrinsic to my life and work. Artist Bruce Munro has said, “My goal with the light installation at Freedom Plaza in Manhattan is to create a breathtaking immersive experience that utilises every hue of light to create a visual Eden, stimulating the imagination and senses of any viewer.”
“New York City is, and has always been, a centre for freedom and the arts on a global scale. According to Michael Hershman, CEO of Soloviev Group, “the rare six-acre site at Freedom Plaza provides a rare opportunity to showcase Bruce’s inspiring and bold vision to New York City.” This fall, we are very excited to bring the Field of Light exhibit to our community.
Over the next few months, information about site access and logistics will be released to the public.
The Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Sharjah Museum of Art in the United Arab Emirates, Sotheby’s Beyond Limits at Chatworth, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Texas Arboretum at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Centre, and most recently Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory of Australia have all commissioned and displayed Munro’s work. Museums and public art collections all around the world feature his work in their permanent collections.
A museum dedicated to protecting and expanding people’s rights to free thinking and expression is planned for Freedom Plaza. Works by renowned artists from around the world, immersive exhibits on a grand scale, and important artefacts from throughout history will all be part of the museum’s rich collection. Pieces of the Berlin Wall, a poignant and reflective symbol of hope, peace, and reunion, will join world-famous artworks on permanent exhibit.
Over four acres of sustainable green open space with walking paths, a world-class hotel and an array of shopping and dining options, two residential towers with a significant number of permanently affordable apartments, robust waterfront access, and a proposed gaming facility for New York’s Downstate gaming licence bid in partnership with global entertainment district leader Mohegan are all proposed features of the Freedom Plaza.
Accessible between Grand Central Station and the 34th Street Ferry, this environmentally and socially conscious construction will connect to the East River Esplanade. The goals of Soloviev Group and Mohegan align with those of the community: they both want to pursue carbon-neutral development, build new public open space, address the shortage of affordable housing, and create thousands of new jobs and economic benefits for the neighbourhood and the city as a whole.
