Japanese Artist Carves Two Ton Marble Map of Manhattan
Posted By Lori Zimmer On September 17, 2011 @ 9:40 am In Art Galleries,Art NYC | 2 Comments
Japanese artist Yutaka Sone [4] has constructed quite possibly the heaviest, and surely most expensive, map of Manhattan [5]. Carved from a block of white marble, “Little Manhattan (2007-09)” depicts the entire island and its connecting bridges. The gorgeous relief is part of an exhibition opening [6] on September 20th at David Zwirner Gallery [7] in Chelsea.
Sone was originally trained as an architect [8]. His obsession with landscape and detail evolved into art. He works closely with marble carvers in a Chinese factory to produce is gorgeous marble sculptures. Little Manhattan combines the ancient tradition and medium of marble carving [9] with modern technology. Sone created the impeccable detail of each street, building, and park largely by using Google [10] Earth technology. Sone also used photographs and several helicopter rides over the city for reference.
The city rises up from the marble base, capping a giant cliff, as if one would plummet to their death should they try to leave Manhattan. A miniature Empire State Building [11], Chrysler Building, and Lower Manhattan with footprints of the World Trade Center [12] are meticulously carved in the white marble slab. The incredible grid in which we live is shown in a new light.
The buyer of the piece will have quite the undertaking getting it home from the gallery [13]. It measures at 21 ¾ by 104 3/8 inches and weighs a whopping two and a half tons!
Yutaka Sone “Islands” at David Zwirner Gallery [7] runs from September 20 – October 29, 2011.
Via Spoon Tamago [6]
Article printed from Inhabitat New York City: http://inhabitat.com/nyc
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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/nyc/japanese-artist-carves-two-ton-marble-map-of-manhattan/
[4] Yutaka Sone: http://www.davidzwirner.com/artists/20/
[5] Manhattan: http://inhabitat.com/the-freedom-towers-that-could-have-been/
[6] an exhibition opening: http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2011/09/13/island-yutaka-sone-at-david-zwirner/
[7] David Zwirner Gallery: http://www.davidzwirner.com/
[8] architect: http://inhabitat.com/interview-takaharu-tezuka-incorporates-nature-and-function-in-design/
[9] marble carving: http://inhabitat.com/high-speed-rail-threatens-to-topple-michelangelo’s-statue-of-david-in-italy/
[10] Google: http://inhabitat.com/google-invests-in-the-power-of-pig-poop/
[11] Empire State Building: http://inhabitat.com/nyc/empire-state-building-achieves-leed-gold-certification/
[12] World Trade Center: http://inhabitat.com/nyc/snohettas-glittering-atrium-pavilion-caps-off-the-subterranean-911-museum/
[13] gallery: http://inhabitat.com/pop-up-boutique-in-former-solar-panel-shop-decorated-with-recycled-materials/
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