Sculpture Moves From LA To Downtown New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle is now the site of a 7.5-ton sculpture by internationally known artist R.M. Fischer that originally was situated at Sony Studio's Los Angeles headquarters. It was dedicated Saturday at its now home atop the hill in Ruby Dee Park at Library Green in the downtown area. Inspired in part by classic science fiction, the art piece, which will now have solar energy power its lights, resembles elements of a flying saucer or a futuristic gazebo, according to organizers.

It was a gift to the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) from Fischer, whose works are known for adding iconic and imaginative new looks to prominent public areas from San Francisco to Kansas City to Brooklyn and have shown from Europe to Japan. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Fischer has a show opening this fall in London and some of his gallery works are now exhibited Downtown at Backstreet Gallery.

“New Rochelle recognizes the enormous value of public art in shaping a culturally vibrant and attractive city center,” New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson said at the dedication. “The R.M. Fischer sculpture at Ruby Dee Park is part of this effort and will be a noteworthy addition to one of our most active civic spaces.”

The Fischer sculpture was transported across the country and erected with grants from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club and the New Rochelle Industrial Development Agency (IDA). The Sun Club, a nonprofit that donates sustainability projects to nonprofits, has outfitted the sculpture with solar panels to light its dome and interior. The IDA is a public benefit corporation which assists with the economic and community development as well as job growth in the city.

Placing the Fischer sculpture in the largest open public space in the downtown core is important to the ongoing success of the IDA's projects and overall mission.

The sculpture has been renamed “Twilight of Dawn” by the artist.

“Moving from a commercial plaza to a landscaped community park the artwork has been transformed,” Fischer said. “It will take on a whole new character. As an artist, to see my work take on a new life is inspiring. It is fitting that its new home, downtown New Rochelle, is also being transformed.”

The sculpture advances two of the BID’s goals – bolstering downtown and creating a more environmentally-friendly commercial and cultural core in the city. “R. M. Fischer’s sculpture is a perfect fit for New Rochelle,” said BID Executive Director Ralph DiBart. “Featuring such a significant and visually commanding work from a leading artist elevates downtown and brings it the national cache New Rochelle deserves. With power from the sun, the sculpture will also serve as inspiration for a more sustainable future.”

IDA Vice Chairman downtown businessman Ivar Hyden noted that installations like these play a crucial role in drawing fruitful development to the area.

“Attractive and thought-provoking art is key in creating a place where people want to live and work, and that makes it more appealing for economic development,” he said.

“Twilight of Dawn” will also stand as a signature piece in the BID’s initiative to bring public art downtown, reflecting a commitment to environmental sustainability and art utilizing the elements: earth, wind, water and sun.

The BID’s public art initiative earlier installed two sculptural trees of hammered aluminum by renowned artist Robert Lobe – one in the park near Fischer’s artwork, and another at the Memorial Highway entrance to the New Rochelle Public Library. While Fischer’s work represents the sun, Robert Lobe’s embodies earth.

The Public Art program is run by the BID and arts consultant Joyce Pomeroy Schwartz.

The Fischer sculpture was originally installed at the Sony offices under the aegis of Los Angeles Art Advisor Michelle Isenberg who also oversaw its transfer to New Rochelle. Bulfamante Landscaping installed the sculpture in Library Green, and Croton Energy installed the solar panels.

Photo credit: Submitted.