Artist Thomas Houseago was on hand today for the christening of his new public art project in Rockefeller Plaza, Masks (Pentagon). The exhibition, organized by Public Art Fund and Tishman Speyer, has some big shoes to fill as it inhabits the same space that Jeff Koons’ Split Rocker inhabited last summer. For Houseago’s work, he has created five large sculptural masks that come to form a pentagon that visitors are invited to enter and explore.   

L-to-R, Nicholas Baum, Thomas Houseago and Jerry Speyer

Houseago, who has been formulating the commission for two and a half years, wanted to create something that engaged the public in a different way. “I want to literally bring people in,” he said during a press conference. Another work by the artist, Moun Room, which was installed at Hauser & Wirth this winter, served as a study for (Masks) Pentagon. Similarly, Moun Room invited the viewer to be an active participant. The piece was maze-like and the public could walk in, out and around it. This idea of creating a sculpture that doubles as an immersive environment has been a departure for Houseago, whose previous works were more statuesque and were at once both imposing and vulnerable.

Thomas Houseago points out his daughter’s footprint.

The masks are quite abstract. Houseago has always had a fondness for cubism and futurism and it is again evident in these forms which were created flat on the floor. Houseago’s family and friends actually ran across, played with and sat on the pieces during the production process. You can even see children’s footprints in one section. The artist also explained that originally there were six masks, but one wasn’t working, so the pentagon was born. 

Nicholas Baume, Public Art Fund Director and Chief Curator, who worked with Houseago previously on the 2010 Public Art Fund project Statuesque, called Masks (Pentagon) ‘nothing short of brilliant’ during his remarks at today’s opening ceremony. Jerry Speyer of Tishman Speyer was also in attendance for the unveiling. The work gazes out on the plaza through June 12, 2015.