Rocket Thrower
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(August 2014) |
| Rocket Thrower | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Donald De Lue |
| Year | 1963 |
| Type | Bronze sculpture |
| Dimensions | 43 feet (13 metres) high |
| Location | Flushing Meadows–Corona Park Queens,New York, United States |
| 40°44′51″N73°50′32″W/ 40.7474°N 73.8421°W | |
| Owner | City of New York[1] |
| Website | Official website |
Rocket Throweris a 1963bronze sculptureby AmericansculptorDonald De Lue.Created for the1964 New York World's Fair,it is located inFlushing Meadows–Corona ParkinQueens,New York City. De Lue was among a total of five sculptors who would create pieces for the fairground. He was contracted in 1962 for the amount of $105,000 with a deadline for completion of under six months. De Lue completed a full plaster model in 1963 at which time it was sent to Italy to be cast.
Description
[edit]Rocket Throwerstands 43 feet (13 metres) high and depicts an athletic and god-like man launching, with his right hand, a small sphere into the sky which leaves an arcing trail of flames behind. His left hand is raised skyward and reaches for a swirl of stars which encircle the path of the rocket.Rocket Thrower'sleft leg strains and crouches with his left foot planted on an arched perch. His right leg extends out fluidly. On the front of the perch (facing theUnisphere) are three distinct stars arranged in an angled line across its short width.[2]
Over time the statue has been affected bycorrosion,and its structural integrity has diminished. One arm was repaired in 1989. The statue was significantly restored in 2013.[1]
The structure's location is East ofUnispherein the Hall of Astronauts.[2]
Reception
[edit]When released, the critics of the time had mixed reviews of the work. De Lue explained the work as "the spiritual concept of man’s relationship to space and his venturesome spirit backed up by all the powers of his intelligence for the exploration of a new dimension." However,The New York Timesart criticJohn Canadaydescribed it as "the most lamentable monster, makingWalt Disneylook likeLeonardo Da Vinci."[3]
Gallery
[edit]-
Southwestern side -
Another view ofRocket Thrower -
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^abColangelo, Lisa L. (August 12, 2013)."Major Restoration Effort Brings the Gold Back to Queens' Famous 'Rocket Thrower' – Municipal Art Society Helps Fix a Relic of the 1964 World's Fair – Statue Has Suffered Decades of Neglect".Daily News.RetrievedAugust 5,2014.
'This is one of the largest pieces in our collection,' said Jonathan Kuhn, director of Art and Antiquities for the Parks Department, which owns the statue.
- ^ab"Flushing Meadows Corona Park Monuments: Rocket Thrower".NYC Parks.April 22, 1964.RetrievedAugust 23,2024.
- ^Canaday, John(April 25, 1964)."Art All Over the Fair; Sculptured Wall for the Japanese Pavilion Appears Finest Single Work".The New York Times.p. 12.RetrievedFebruary 28,2010.
External links
[edit]- 1963 sculptures
- 1964 New York World's Fair
- Bronze sculptures in New York City
- Buildings and structures in Queens, New York
- Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
- Nude sculptures in New York (state)
- Outdoor sculptures in New York City
- Rocket sculptures
- Sculptures of men in New York City
- Statues in New York City
- New York Hall of Science
- World's fair architecture in New York City
- Colossal statues in the United States