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El Anatsui Broken Bridge II HighlineWinter cold be darned, Inhabitat went to the High Line to check out <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/el-anatsuis-broken-bridge-ii-is-a-tapestry-of-tin-and-mirrors-on-the-high-line/" target="_blank">El Anatsui’s gorgeous new recycled art installation</a> Broken Bridge II. Despite the bitter chill, puffy clouds and blue sky reflected beautifully in the installation’s pressed mirror wall, which was salvaged from scraps. The piece is another of the Ghanian artist’s beautiful <a href="http://inhabitat.com/el-anatsui-upcycles-bottle-caps-into-gorgeous-glittering-tapestries/" target="_blank">oversized tapestries made from upcycled materials</a>, and it was installed with the help of <a href="http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com/" target="_blank">Olson Kundig Architects</a>.1
El Anatsui Broken Bridge II HighlineThe massive installation may be the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/homu-homeless-museum-of-art-on-the-high-line-is-the-worlds-smallest-gallery/" target="_blank">High Line</a> park’s biggest commission, stretching across the side of an entire building between West 21st and West 22nd Street.2
El Anatsui Broken Bridge II HighlineAnatsui treats the reclaimed, weathered tin as a texture, the rectangular panes forming a patchwork of varying rust color.3
El Anatsui Broken Bridge II HighlineWith uneven pattern, the frigid tin appears to be fragile, almost crumbling like sheets of paper rather than hammered metal.4
El Anatsui Broken Bridge II HighlineInterspersed throughout the rusted patchworks are smooth <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bureau-ladas-mirrored-art-studio-reflects-surrounding-natural-environment-to-create-serene-archive-space/" target="_blank">panes of mirror</a>, resembling calm pools amidst a rugged landscape.5
El Anatsui Broken Bridge II HighlineThe mirror planes reach the edge of the host building at the roof, its reflections blurring the lines between installation and sky.6
El Anatsui Broken Bridge II HighlineAs visitors walk along the High Line, the surrounding cityscape, sky, clouds, and birds <a href="http://inhabitat.com/rob-mullhollands-mysterious-mirror-sculptures-reflect-the-forest-around-them/" target="_blank">reflect in Anatsui’s installation</a>, creating a constant dialogue between the piece and the city it lies in.7
El Anatsui Broken Bridge II HighlineGuarded by a thicket of the High Line’s trees and shrubbery, Broken Bridge II is at once part of the landscape, but also secluded and unattached.8
El Anatsui Broken Bridge II HighlineNew Yorkers can enjoy the piece as it changes with the seasons, reflecting winter to spring to summer of 2013.9
