Nick Cave's The Let Go Transforms Park Avenue Armory into a Site of Collective Catharsis

From June 7 to July 1, 2018, Nick Cave will present The Let Go, a site-specific commission at Park Avenue Armory in New York. The installation will transform the Wade Thompson Drill Hall into a 'town hall' for purification rituals and collective catharsis, aiming to break down racial and social barriers through dance. The centerpiece is a 12-meter-tall multicolored Mylar sculpture. Daytime events invite community groups—yoga practitioners, hula-hoopers, church choirs—to move and release frustrations, with music by top New York DJs. Cave will display wearable sculptures, including four new ones, made from vintage objects. From Wednesday to Friday, the performance Up Right features dancers in sound suits, leading a ceremonial procession. Participants, called 'Practitioners,' initiate 'Initiates' by dressing them in costume parts, culminating in a choreographed celebration of independence. The commission continues Armory's tradition of immersive interdisciplinary works, following artists like Ann Hamilton and Paul McCarthy. Rebecca Robertson, founding president and executive producer, stated that Cave's vision is vital in today's tumultuous world. Pierre Audi, artistic director, praised Cave's challenge to traditional art forms. Curator Tom Eccles noted Cave's commitment to community change through art.