Gregory Orekhov, Steel Shards
Conjuring memories of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s The Gates, the transcendent two-week installation from February 2005 that featured 7,503 saffron-hued gates winding through 23 miles of Central Park, artist and sculptor Gregory Orekhov is working on a new large-scale installation for The Pond at Central Park, near West 59th Street.
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“I adore New York and consider it one of the capitals of contemporary art,” said Orekhov when asked what drew him to Central Park for his vision of Steel Shards, which he describes as composite panels with a mirror-polished stainless steel surface. Similar to a broken mirror, the pieces are arranged “chaotically” on the water’s surface.
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Born in Moscow and currently living and working in France, Orekhov said, “I love working with space and transforming it through artistic integrations.” He praised Central Park as one of the most beautiful locations for public art in the world and said he has always dreamed of creating something unique that reflects the city and its diverse population.
Orekhov is known for his public art and land art projects, including the first modern sculpture dedicated to revolutionary Russian artist of Polish descent Kazimir Malevich, installed in a Russian park bearing his name in 2020.
ILTUWS asked Orekhov about another sculpture he created to honor the birth of his daughter, Agatha, which his website bio says altered the trajectory of his life and artistic path.
“There is definitely a connection – I work with mirrored surfaces,” said Orekhov, a member of the Moscow Union of Artists. “In Agatha and Steel Shards, reflection becomes an integral part of the work, creating a constantly shifting image that never repeats itself.”
He added that, much like his art, each day in life is unique.
Gregory Orekhov, Agatha
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The artist described his view of New York City as “one of many intersecting destinies—people whose lives have changed due to circumstances, forcing them to seek new places and new meanings.” He sees Steel Shards as a reflection of this reality: fragments of something once broken, now striving to reconnect in a multicultural metropolis.
One aspect of Orekhov’s vision we had to ask about was the possibility of someone—perhaps a tipsy parkgoer or an overzealous daredevil—attempting to jump onto Steel Shards, like a polar bear hopping between icebergs.
“I think the only real trouble would be that the ‘tipsy polar bear’ might just get wet and catch a cold!” Orekhov said, assuring us that every part of his installation is designed with safety in mind—for both people and animals. The edges will be rounded to prevent injuries, whether from mischievous visitors or actual park wildlife. He has also been testing the installation in controlled environments.
Gregory Orekhov, Steel Shards
Orekhov has worked on water before. In 2021, he installed Crossroads, which, from an aerial view, can be perceived as a crosswalk across the Moscow River. We found this work breathtaking.
Gregory Orekhov, Crossroads
When we brought up The Gates by Christo and Jeanne-Claude—and its 26-year approval process—Orekhov, like a sage, expressed patience as a virtue, crediting Christo and Jeanne-Claude for teaching him that lesson.
“Right now, we are developing a detailed project plan,” he said. “We have received a list of required documents for approval, and my team is actively working on it.” However, work on the physical production of the panels has already begun. “It’s a massive and unique project that requires a significant amount of time to produce,” he added.
Orekhov is hopeful the approval process won’t take as long. “I believe this project will resonate with city officials and gain their support because initiatives like this bring cultural value to the city.”
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I don’t want my park “transformed”. I hated The Gates and don’t go to the park for a contrived “art” experience. Central park is my dose of nature when I get to go there. It relaxes me and makes me feel better just by being there. Flapping orange cloth disrupted the sense of peace I get from the park. Polished, angular steel plates at the surface of any of the park’s water bodies sounds even worse. Please keep these intrusive, disruptive installations out of my park.
Don’t give me any crap about it’s only for a couple weeks, either. Yhe Gates started closingm areas and leaving piles of materiel before Thanksgiving for a Valentine’s Day, two week event. I want none of it.
My concern is for the birds who may be disoriented by all of that reflective surface. How will this affect living, breathing creatures whose home is the park? This seems like a foolish undertaking.