José Parlá’s first New York City public art installation was unveiled last Thursday at The Standard, High Line .
Previously shown at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, it is titled “Segmented Realities,” and consists of three large-scale painted walls. It shows how time and social upheaval can affect the environment and for Parlá, these walls functions as “memory documents.” The works reveal how this Cuban-American artist has been influenced by his travels, as he brought his pieces from the three most significant cities for him: Havana, Miami, and San Juan. “Time is a part of these paintings as their creative process simulates the passing of time on city walls and their layers of history with layers of paint, posters, writing, and re-construction,” said the Brooklyn-based artist.
A celebration of “Segmented Realities” took place last Thusrday at the Standard in its beer garden with guests like Andre Balasz, Mary Boone, and Jason Biggs. Attendees, alongside Parlá enjoyed sangria, mojitos, and wine, along with delicious flatbreads, cheese, and delicatessen.
To complement the exhibition of the work, the Standard Shops will release a limited-edition of 250 scarves, titled “Habana y Cuarteles” printed with Parlá’s work. The Standard collaborated with Scottish manufacturer Begg & Co. to transport the art onto 100% cashmere.
This fall, the artist’s work will go on view at Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery in collaboration with Mary Boone Gallery for a two-part exhibition entitled “Surface Body / Action Space” (September 12-October 31).
