This sculpture, the work of Jon Rafman, is titled L’Avalée des avalés (The Swallower Swallowed). This piece recognizes the way of life that many New Yorkers, and teenagers especially, fall into. We are constantly being engulfed in various forms of mass media, from platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat to broadcast stations such as NPR or CNN. It is easy to be caught up in the events happening around us, and therefore, it is just as easy to forget to slow down and enjoy where we are, and what is truly important.
The Highline is a place where the fast pace of an NYC lifestyle does not have to be so fast, but instead, one can take the time to focus on what surrounds them. Instead of being “swallowed” up by the current affairs of other people or places, one can truly admire the green of the plant life lining the old railroad tracks or simply sit and stare out at the water for relaxation. The muted colors of this piece prevents it from jumping out at the viewer in an aggressive manner, but rather invite the individual walking through the Highline to take a closer look, or read the accompanying plaque to find out the artist’s intended meaning of this sculpture. So, although this particular image does not capture the crowd that this attraction draws in, it reminds its audience to take a step back, to look at the beauty of the architecture, the greenery, the other art exhibitions, and just admire them. We can forget about the bigger picture that constantly consumes us, causes us worry and distress, and focus on the calmness that it has to offer. The Highline, along with its function as a small art gallery, allow us to remove ourselves from the chaos of everyday life.
I also stopped to view this sculpture and had the same interpretation! This piece of art, meant to convey meaning about unquestioning absorption of modern-day media, is a signal for its viewers to stop looking at their phones and glance up at the natural beauty of the Highline.
The muted colors featured in the photo support your idea that this sculpture is a source of distress and peace. Additionally, the circular shape brings harmony to the art’s meaning and the photo itself. I think it is actual ideal that this picture does not include any people or external elements as it reflects the art’s desire for viewers to focus on one thing, as opposed to the multidirectional nature of media.