A 16-foot (about 4.9 meters) tall giant pigeon sculpture is set to debut at the High Line park in New York in October 2024.
According to the High Line park’s website, the meticulously hand-painted aluminum sculpture named “Dinosaur” will be installed as a public art piece above the intersection of 10th Avenue and 30th Street in the High Line park area, starting from October for an 18-month exhibition until the spring of 2026.
The base of this giant pigeon sculpture stands at 5 feet (about 1.8 meters) and is the fourth commissioned piece by the High Line park, created by 40-year-old Colombian artist Iván Argote.
Argote explained that choosing the pigeon as the theme for his creation was to commemorate this common bird found on the streets of New York. The name “Dinosaur” reflects the scale of the sculpture and also conveys the insight of extinction that dinosaurs bring, saying, “Just like dinosaurs, one day we may also cease to exist, but perhaps those left behind will continue to survive like pigeons in the dark corners and crevices of the future world.”
During World War I and World War II, pigeons were hailed as “war heroes” for delivering messages on the front lines. However, with the advancement of modern technology, pigeons have gradually been phased out of the messenger role.
The organizers stated that in New York City, pigeons have witnessed the evolution of the city and have made people confront the ever-changing relationship between themselves and the natural world. At the same time, this artwork also pays homage to the rich immigrant history of New York, as pigeons originally migrated from Europe to the United States and made this city their home, just like millions of New Yorkers.