Adrián Villar Rojas’ sculptural revelry at the Met’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, New York 

The Theater of Disappearance is a sculptural feat that can be likened to a mind boggling knees-up with a guest list of sixteen hybrid creatures fused and remixed from the museum’s collection across all epochs and departments. The imaginary beings are scattered atop banquet tables, around and about the rooftop’s entire area.

To realize this party scenario using 3D printing, Villar Rojas teamed up with the MET’s Advanced Imaging Department. He scanned staff members and their families, even their pets to be meshed together or mapped onto artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum’s collection. He did not exclude himself either; his own hand with fingers miming the rock’n’roll sign can be seen raised above one of his imaginary fairies.
The installation also includes new trees, plants (evident only with time’s passing); a flooring with black, white and grey tiles, a revamped bar with a new food and drinks menu plus added public furniture to the overall garden design.

On view until October, 29th at the MET’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, 1000 5th Avenue, New York.

Text and Photo Kinga Rajzak