Art Installation Brings Knights In Armor To Cloisters Lawn

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS-INWOOD, NY — An Uptown Manhattan park will be the home of Medieval knights this summer.

Three androgynous, humanlike statues donning realistic Medieval armor will stand on the lawn of the Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park until Septemeber. The public art installation, called "Armors," was created by Icelandic sculptor Steinunn Thorarinsdottir, the city Parks Department said in a press release.

"The Cloisters are a magical part of Fort Tryon Park, and Steinunn Thorarinsdottir’s sculptures build on its existing medieval collection in such a beautiful way," saidCommissioner Silver. "The juxtaposition of these suits of protective armor out in the open in this picturesque park is quite extraordinary. We look forward to the many visitors who will encounter these pieces this spring and summer."

The armor worn by the sculptures was cast using 3D scans of real sets of armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, parks officials said. Donald La Rocca, a curator at the museum, consulted Thorarinsdottir on which sets of armor to use based on their quality and historical importance, parks officials said.

The armors worn by the sculptures were made out of aluminum, parks officials said. By placing the sculptures in a public park, people will be able to interact with the armor in ways they wouldn't be able to in a museum.

"Ancient armors are, in themselves, sculptural forms," artist Thorarinsdottir said in a statement. "They were developed for war, but they give a sharp insight into the psyche of man."

"Armors" will be on display in the park through Sept. 13, parks officials said.

Photo by NYC Parks/Malcolm Pinckney