Costantino Nivola's Largest NYC Public Artwork Destroyed
The playground of the Wise Towers, a major public artwork by Costantino Nivola and architect Richard Stein from 1964, has been destroyed during a renovation project. The sculptures, known as the Cavallini, were removed and broken. The Nivola Museum in Orani, Sardinia, announced the news, calling it an act of 'institutional vandalism.' The museum, along with the Nivola family and other institutions, is mobilizing to halt further destruction and restore the works. The renovation is being carried out by Pacts Renaissance Collective. Support has come from the Chanin School of Architecture of the Cooper Union and preservation group Landmark West!.
Key facts
- Costantino Nivola's playground at Wise Towers, created with Richard Stein in 1964, was destroyed.
- The sculptures, called Cavallini, were removed and broken during a renovation project.
- The Nivola Museum in Orani announced the destruction on social media.
- The museum described the removal as 'institutional vandalism.'
- The renovation is led by Pacts Renaissance Collective.
- The Nivola Foundation is coordinating a coalition including the Nivola family, Cooper Union, and Landmark West!.
- The museum is attempting to recover the damaged works and stop further destruction.
- The Cavallini were made using Nivola's sandcasting technique.
Entities
Artists
- Costantino Nivola
- Richard Stein
Institutions
- Museo Nivola
- Pacts Renaissance Collective
- Chanin School of Architecture of the Cooper Union
- Landmark West!
- Fondazione Nivola
- Artribune
- ANSA
Locations
- New York
- Orani
- Sardinia
- Italy
- United States
- Wise Towers
- Stephen Wise Recreation Area
- 117 West 90th Street