Katharina Grosse Paints Abandoned Fort Tilden Building for MoMA PS1
MoMA PS1 commissioned Katharina Grosse to create a site-specific installation at Fort Tilden, a former military base turned national park on New York's Rockaway Peninsula. The German painter, born in Freiburg in 1961, covered an abandoned beachfront building with white and two shades of red—one orange-tinged and a magenta—chosen for their artificial contrast against the muted natural surroundings. The structure was rendered uninhabitable by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and is slated for demolition by the end of 2016; the artwork will disappear with it, leaving no trace. Grosse discusses the work and its production phases in an accompanying video. The piece serves as a final tribute to the historic building.
Key facts
- MoMA PS1 commissioned the outdoor installation at Fort Tilden, a former military base now a national park.
- Katharina Grosse is a German painter born in Freiburg in 1961.
- The work covers an abandoned building on the beach with white and two reds (orange-tinged and magenta).
- The colors are deliberately artificial to contrast with the soft hues of the surroundings.
- The building was made uninhabitable by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
- The building is scheduled for demolition at the end of 2016.
- The installation will disappear with the building, leaving no trace.
- Grosse explains the work and its production in a video.
Entities
Artists
- Katharina Grosse
Institutions
- MoMA PS1
- Artribune
Locations
- Fort Tilden
- New York
- Rockaway Peninsula
- Freiburg
- Germany