A fascinating fusion of history and cutting-edge technology takes center stage in a captivating public art exhibit at New York's Cloisters. Icelandic artist Steinunn Thorarinsdottir has joined forces with the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Advanced Imaging Department and the New York Parks Department to bring life-size replicas of authentic medieval suits of armor from the museum's collection to life.
Thorarinsdottir's visionary project was sparked during her extended stay in New York, where her fascination with the Met's arms and armor department took root. Collaborating with the Advanced Imaging Department, 3D scans were crafted for three distinct suits of armor from the collection. Employing 3D printing and the traditional lost wax method, the suits were brought to life in cast aluminum by a Chinese foundry.
This amalgamation of contemporary and ancient techniques serves as a backdrop for Thorarinsdottir's recurring theme-a juxtaposition of armored figures and androgynous forms. Crafted from molds based on her own son's body, who has been her model since 1997, each sculpture presents a powerful dialogue between vulnerability and strength.
The installation stands as a testimony to the symbiotic relationship between technology, history, and art. The collaboration between Thorarinsdottir, the Met, and the New York Parks Department brings these monumental works to Fort Tryon Park, evoking a sense of wonder and appreciation for the marriage of artistic vision and innovative craft.