Resonating Bodies | Tony Cragg

Two giant musical instruments made of bronze welcome you to the Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park, a beautiful spot at the edge of the Hudson River, just beyond the Museum of Jewish Heritage, at the north end of Battery Park. As you get closer to them, you may find yourself wanting to touch these giant life-like instruments -- they definitely invite you to interact with them.

One looks like a lute or a guitar (or, could it be a whale?), the other like a tuba or a trumpet (wait, is that an elephant's foot?). They're works by British sculptor Tony Cragg, who was a lab technician before he was an artist -- and you can see the scientific references in many of his sculptures. Like many of his works, Resonating Bodies (1996) plays with the various forms of energy surrounding all objects. Here, Cragg "draws on" the science, creating wavelike patterns in the surface of the whimsically oversize figures.

This installation is perfectly placed at the end of the tree-lined walks at the entrance to the park. Like so many of the artworks installed in public places in Battery Park City, Resonating Bodies was integrated into the design of the park. These sculptures, and the park itself, are a popular spot for families.

By Kathie