Skip to main content
Isa Genzken: Two Orchids - Public Art Fund
বাংলা (Bengali) 简体中文 (Chinese Simplified) 繁體中文 (Chinese Traditional) Nederlands (Dutch) English Français (French) Deutsch (German) Italiano (Italian) 日本語 (Japanese) 한국어 (Korean) Português (Portuguese - Brazil) Español (Spanish) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
I am looking for…
Suggested searches:
Ai Weiwei
Talks
GenzkenI_Natasha Orlando Figueiredo

Isa Genzken Two Orchids

Doris C. Freedman Plaza
March 1 - August 28, 2016

About the Exhibition

Once a rare and exotic flower, the orchid has become one of the world’s most ubiquitous indoor plants. From corporate offices to domestic interiors, from upscale florists to Home Depot, this tropical plant can now be seen anywhere—and acquired by anybody. It’s a striking and decorative flower without any dominant symbolism, except perhaps a hint of luxury left over from the 19th century when orchids were seen as “the chosen ornaments of royalty.”

For eminent German artist Isa Genzken (b. 1948, Bad Oldesloe, Germany), the mass-produced white orchid has become the quintessential flower of our age: global, accessible, and open to interpretation. Rising to 28 and 34 feet respectively, the paired stems of Genzken’s towering sculpture wind elegantly skyward, capturing light and casting shadows in a play of rhyming forms. Two Orchids heralds the entrance to Central Park in voluptuous full flower, its pristine white petals free from any blemishes. It stands as an idealized, colossal version of the familiar plant: a civic monument to the perfect orchid, now the chosen ornament of contemporary culture.

Isa Genzken: Two Orchids is curated by Nicholas Baume.

Photo Gallery

GenzkenI 3081.jpg
GenzkenI 3082.jpg
GenzkenI 3083.jpg
GenzkenI 3084.jpg
GenzkenI 3085.jpg
GenzkenI 3086.jpg
GenzkenI 3087.jpg

About the Artist

Isa Genzken    View Profile

Isa Genzken (b. 1948, Bad Oldesloe, Germany) lives and works in Berlin. Major solo exhibitions of her work have been presented by institutions including the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London (2015); Museum der Moderne Salzburg, Austria (2014, traveled to Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt, in 2015); The Museum of Modern Art, New York (2013, traveled to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and Dallas Museum of Art); Whitechapel Gallery, London (2009, traveled to Museum Ludwig, Cologne); Museum Abteiberg, Mönchengladbach, Germany (2002, traveled to Kunsthalle Zürich); The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago (1992, traveled to Portikus, Frankfurt; Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels; Städtisches Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich); and Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn, Germany, (1988, traveled to Kunstmuseum Winterthur, Switzerland; Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, the Netherlands). In November 2015, the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, presented the largest retrospective of her work in the Netherlands. In 2007, the artist represented Germany at the 52nd Venice Biennale. Her work has been prominently featured in international biennials and group exhibitions such as the Venice Biennale (2015, 2003, 1993, 1982); Skulptur Projekte Münster (2007, 1997, 1987); and Documenta (2002, 1992, 1982). Her work is included in public and private collections across the globe including the Dallas Museum of Art; Gemeentemuseum, The Hague, Netherlands; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.; Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Germany; Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; and the Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven, Netherlands. Genzken is represented by Galerie Buchholz in New York and David Zwirner in New York and London.

(as of 2016)

Location

Doris C. Freedman Plaza
Doris C. Freedman Plaza

Lead support for Two Orchids is provided by the Fuhrman Family Foundation and The FLAG Art Foundation, along with generous support from Galerie Buchholz.

Additional support is provided by David Zwirner, New York/London; Elizabeth Fearon Pepperman & Richard C. Pepperman II; Agnes Gund; Sarah & Eric Lane; Andrew & Linda R. Safran; and the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen e.V.

This exhibition is also supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Special thanks to the Office of the Mayor, Manhattan Borough President, Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Parks & Recreation, and Central Park Conservancy.


Related Exhibitions