Elmgreen and Dragset’s rendering of Van Gogh’s Ear. Photograph: Courtesy the artists and Public Art Fund, NY
This year is a big one for the artist Vincent Van Gogh who was born on 30 March 1853. Not only is there a new biopic hitting cinemas in autumn but also a new public art piece entitled “Van Gogh’s Ear”. Opening on 13 April in New York City, the artwork by Berlin-based duo Elmgreen and Dragset pays tribute to the Dutch artist in the form an ear-shaped swimming pool.
“It’s not an exact proportion to his ear, but it resembles an ear,” the Danish artist Michael Elmgreen told the Guardian. However, in reality no one really knows if Van Gogh cut his own ear.”Maybe Gauguin and Van Gogh invented the story together?” says Ingar Dragset. “It’s a fascinating thing.”
Inspired by the west coast roadside display pools, this Public Art Fund piece can be found by the Rockefeller Center, and despite not being able to give New Yorkers a break from the heat it certainly will give one to the eye.