Carol Vogel profiles my friend Jose Parla's new work in the New York Times:
For New Theater, BAM Commissions a Really Big Painting
A decade ago, when the Brooklyn Academy of Music restored its landmark exterior, the Brazilian photographer Vik Muniz decorated the scaffolding of the building’s second, third and fourth floors with images of a giant gingerbread house. It was a colorful confection: melted sugar outlined with giant jelly beans and slithering Gummi Worms recreated the building’s arched windows; giant M&M’s became its frieze.
Now, to enliven its newest theater – the Richard B. Fisher Building – which was unveiled in June and officially opens Sept. 5, the academy has asked the Brooklyn artist José Parlá to create its first permanent commissioned piece of public art for an interior space.
“Gesture Performing Dance, Dance Performing Gesture,’’ a painting measuring 37 feet by 7 feet, incorporates collage, acrylic, oil, ink, plaster and enamel and is slated for completion around the end of the month. The painting will cover the back wall of the lobby, which is visible from the street.
“This particular work will be informed by dance, movement and gestural communication,’’ Mr. Parlá said in a statement.
