NYC’s beloved LOVE sculpture iconically stood at the corner of 55th Street and Sixth Avenue in Midtown for decades, so we couldn’t deny our surprise when it was removed for conservation in 2019.
But you’re going to love this news–it’s returned to NYC!
Rockefeller Center recently announced that, in partnership with The Robert Indiana Legacy Initiative, an installation of works by influential American artist Robert Indiana is on view September through October, including the iconic 12-foot-tall polychrome aluminum LOVE sculpture.
The sculpture’s history dates back to 1971, when a version of it was first displayed at the Fifth Avenue and 60th Street entrance to Central Park.
According to Indiana, “The ‘LOVE Sculpture’ is the culmination of ten years of work based on the original premise that the word is an appropriated and usable element of art, just as Picasso and the Cubists made use of it at the beginning of the century.”
Beyond the LOVE sculpture, Indiana’s ONE Through ZERO (The Ten Numbers) will also be on display.
The numbers, each 8 feet tall, represent the cycle of human life from birth to death. “Numbers fill my life. They fill my life even more than love. We are immersed in numbers from the moment we are born,” said Indiana of the sculpture.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center’s 193 flags will also feature work from Indiana. From his Peace Paintings series, created as a response to the 9/11 attacks, paintings incorporating the peace sign that reflect themes of unity, acceptance, and love will be featured on the flags.
“It is an honor to partner with the team at Rockefeller Center to bring the works of Robert Indiana to the people of New York, where we know Bob always wanted his art to be integrated into the vibrant streetscapes and made accessible to the public,” said Simon Salama-Caro, founder of The Robert Indiana Legacy Initiative.
“Bob’s legacy is woven into the history of this great city, and we are particularly proud to have LOVE return to the place that so energized him as a young artist. I hope these works will inspire and move New Yorkers and visitors to Rockefeller Center anew,” Salama-Caro added.
Indiana’s art will be featured throughout the Rockefeller Center campus from September 13 through October 24, 2023.