JR
Boston Properties / John Hancock Tower Public Art Program
200 Clarendon Street Plaza, Boston 2015
The French artist JR is engaged in a global practice, he is constantly traveling, installing large-scale black and white images on buildings all over the world. This immense photograph measuring 150 x 86 feet was pasted in vinyl on the side of one of Boston's most iconic buildings, was his first art installation in New England and remains his highest work. The picture was meant to instill a sense of wonder and the lack of context allowed the viewer to respond to the image based on individual history. The selection of the image, a man standing on a floating platform overlooking a body of water, was taken in response to the building’s architecture and surrounding cityscape, so The John Hancock Tower was not simply a surface for the picture, but rather part of the artwork.
JR did not announce his installation to the media beforehand, he preferred for the artwork to emerge quietly, for the city to respond to the imagery without knowing what it would be. Creating a sense of surprise and tension as the image slowly materialized. The image was meant to evoke contemplation and reflection, to step away from a busy day, and escape for a moment from the daily routine.
Pedro Alonzo was a Guest Curator for The John Hancock Tower Public Art Program, commissioned by Boston Properties.
Guest curator: Pedro Alonzo
IG @jr / www.jr-art.net
Photo credits: Todd Mazer