See the 12 submissions shortlisted for High Line Plinth commissions

After appealing to the public for their input, the High Line in New York City has announced the 12 artists whose works have been shortlisted for the Plinth. The submissions of two shortlisted artists will go on to become the third and fourth Plinth commissions that will reside on a High Line bridge at Tenth Avenue at 30th Street for an 18-month period, each, in 2022 and then 2024.

Out of dozens of submissions, Iván Argote, Nina Beier, Margarita Cabrera, Nick Cave, Banu Cennetoğlu, Rafa Esparza, Teresita Fernández, Kapwani Kiwanga, Lu Pingyuan, Pamela Rosenkranz, Mary Sibande, and Andra Ursuţa have been announced as the shortlisted candidates.

Hailing from five continents, the shortlisted artists have proposed works that offer a wide variety of subjects. From a massive pigeon to abstracted metal works to sculptural trees, to a broken glass obelisk, there is a little of everything. Earlier in the year, 80 proposals were released by the High Line asking that the public vote for their preferred sculpture. Shortlisted artists will now create models of their artworks that will be exhibited on the High Line starting in January of next year. The public are welcome to view the maquettes, but it is worth mentioning that due to the pandemic, numbers are currently limited on the High Line.

When the High Line opened a new section, known as the Spur, the Plinth was inaugurated in the summer of 2019 with Simone Leigh’s sculptural work Brick House. Depicting the eyeless face of a Black woman sitting atop a stylized torso reminiscent of a hut or full skirt, cast in bronze, Leigh’s work is striking. Brick House will remain at the Plinth until the spring of 2021 when the second commission will be installed. The Plinth is the first art space along the High Line exclusively dedicated to contemporary art.

Iván Argote, “Dinosaur.” Courtesy High Line Arts

Nina Beier, “Women & Children.” Courtesy High Line Arts.

Margarita Cabrera, “UPLIFT New York.” Courtesy High Line Arts.

Nick Cave, “A·mal·gam.” Courtesy High Line Arts.

Banu Cennetoğlu, “right?” Courtesy High Line Arts.

Rafa Esparza, “KT Hyperspace.” Courtesy High Line Arts.

Teresita Fernández, “Maelstrom.” Courtesy High Line Arts.

Kapwani Kiwanga, “On growth.” Courtesy High Line Arts.

Lu Pingyuan, “Tree.” Courtesy High Line Arts.

Mary Sibande, “Old wars are out and a new reason for humanity is in.” Courtesy High Line Arts.

Andra Ursuţa, “Broken Obelisk.” Courtesy High Line Arts.

Pamela Rosenkranz, “Old Tree.” Courtesy High Line Arts.

A public park and nonprofit organization, the High Line revamped a disused elevated rail line that spans the West Side of Manhattan. The first section of the High Line opened in 2009 and has since grown, segment by segment. Today, the High Line boasts nearly a mile and a half of greenway that ends at Hudson Yards, where architecture lovers can find Heatherwick Studio’s “Vessel” and “The Shed” by Diller Scofidio + Renfro.