FLATIRION — A colossal bird sculpture made from thousands of nails has made a landing in front of the Flatiron Building.
The 12-foot-high, 12-foot-wide artwork is made up of more than 5,000 real and fabricated nails and weighs a whopping 5 tons, the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership announced.
“It’s interesting because this is the first thing like this that we’ve really had,” said Jennifer Brown, executive director of the partnership. “This is the first of something this size.”
Artist Will Ryman sought to change the meaning of the nail by dramatically altering its size and using it in excessive quantities, the statement said.
The sculpture, which holds a red rose from its beak, was loosely inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” the statement added.
The installation, dubbed “The Bird,” was previously shown in Ryman’s inaugural exhibition at Paul Kasmin Gallery, located at 515 W. 27th St.
As a part of the city Department of Transportation’s Urban Arts Program, the agency partnered with the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership to commission Ryman and bring the exhibit to the public space at Flatiron Plaza.
“It’s obviously a very iconic location, so it’s interesting to see it in that spot,” Brown said. “Lots of people have been taking pictures of it and with it. It’s drawing a lot of attention.”
“The Bird” will be on display through April 21.
