The long awaited sidewalk sculpture by stone sculptor Ken Hiratsuka, located at 25 Bond Street in Noho, got underway on Monday, November 5. Commissioned by real estate developer and art collector Tony Goldman, the sculpted sidewalk will cover 1600 square feet of newly laid 8-inch thick oro castelo granite, specially chosen to resonate with the neighborhood's historic character. Hiratsuka's artwork enhances this quality through its thoroughly hand made character – hammer and chisel all the way -- while thrusting the block into the present. The design bears Hiratsuka’s trademark oneline design - a single continuous line carving chiselled by hand, guided by a fluid, oceanic imagery. The artist has expressed that his intention is to make a site where a feeling of serentiy and oasis might prevail in the midst of a frenetic city – “You step into the oneline ocean, or galaxy.” He expects the work to take approximately two months.

Hiratsuka’s largest surface carving to date, this public art work received unanimous support from the New York City Arts Commission and approval from the local community board last January. Hiratsuka also created a standing granite sculpture for the lobby of 25 Bond, entitled “Nike”. Ken Hiratsuka is known for his maze-like carvings in both urban and natural settings. One well known site is the northwest corner of Prince and Broadway. His concept of public art – in situ and available to all viewers -- has led him to create monuments and markers around the globe, which he perceives as a single rock that he is carving as a symbol of the interconnectedness of all human beings. With this concept he started carving New York City’s sidewalks, and has made public works in 19 countries around the globe, most recently in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert in October 2006.

Currently, Ken Hiratsuka’s work is on exhibit at the Brattleboro (Vermont) Museum and Art Center, in a show entitled “From Street to Studio” curated by Mara Williams. This is a group show with Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat, Scot Borofsky and Brian Gormley. Exhibit continues through December 21. (http://www.brattleboromuseum.org/)

Born in Japan, Hiratsuka has been based in New York City since 1982, after graduaating from Musashino University of Art in Tokyo. His work is included in museum collections in Finland and Japan. Commissioned works include sculpted city sidewalks, building facades and entranceways, water sculptures and gardens. Public monuments include his 12 boulder “Peace Monument” for the Japanese Gardens of Cowra, Australia; “One Line Tower” – 40 tons x 30 ft. high -- in Yuzi Paradise Sculpture Park in Guilin, China; “One Line Boulder”, a 2004 commission for the city of Chikusei, Japan.

To contact Ken in New York City, please call 845-676-3996 or by email: onelineken@catskill.net

The Catskill Center's Erpf Gallery
Rt. 28 Arkville, NY 12406 (845) 586-2611
M-F 9-5, Sat. 12-4, www.catskillcenter.org
eE-mail: onelineken@catskill.net

Presents

KEN HIRATSUKA
Rock Sculpture

Carving one continuous line in stone he makes a statement of
art's capacity to transcend the difference of nations and languages.

July 17 - September 18, 2004

Opening Reception
Saturday, July 17th, 5-7pm

culpture 2003
11/20/2003, thursday - 01/22/2003, thursday