Exhibitions
A giant cavatappi takes over New York's High Line
A gigantic golden spiral has been installed amidst the greenery of Manhattan's High Line, transforming one of New York's most recognizable urban spaces into the stage for a monumental yet disconcerting art installation. The work, titled auroBOROS—Urban Memory and Collective Dream , can be viewed on Little West 12th Street in the Meatpacking District until September 20, coinciding with New York Fashion Week.
The piece was created by the Berlin-based artistic duo Plastique Fantastique, comprised of Marco Canevacci and Yena Young, and takes the form of an enormous cavatappi, a type of spiral-shaped clay that here acquires an almost architectural scale. Its appearance also alludes to one of Bulgari's most recognizable symbols: the snake, a recurring motif for the Italian jewelry house and the origin of one of its most emblematic lines.
At first glance, the installation resembles a monumental, gold-plated metal structure, almost like an oversized jewel placed amidst the High Line landscape. However, this perception changes upon closer inspection. AuroBOROS is actually a synthetic inflatable structure, similar to a giant foil balloon, whose movement and volume depend on a continuous air circulation system.
The sound of the pumps that keep the sculpture inflated adds an unexpected dimension to the experience. Visitors not only contemplate a monumental form integrated among trees and plants, but also perceive the inner workings of a work that remains alive thanks to this constant flow of air.
The choice of the snake as a reference directly connects the installation to Bulgari's visual universe and to decades of jewelry creation inspired by this animal. In the hands of Plastique Fantastique, this motif transcends the exclusive realm of jewelry to acquire an urban scale and become a sculptural presence that engages with the architecture, nature, and movement of one of the world's most recognizable cities.
The result establishes a dialogue between luxury and popular culture, between art object and ephemeral element, and between the sophistication associated with fashion and the lightweight materiality of an inflatable structure. This combination is especially significant given its presence in Manhattan coinciding with New York Fashion Week.
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