Field of Light at Freedom Plaza, a large-scale public art project by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, was officially illuminated during a celebration attended by community leaders, neighbors, and guests.Sponsored in full by the Soloviev Foundation, Field of Light at Freedom Plaza encompasses more than six-acres from 38th to 41st Street east of Manhattan’s First Avenue and welcomes the public free of charge.
“The Soloviev Foundation and its predecessor foundation have a long history of promoting art and artists. At Freedom Plaza, we needed something different, something special. Covid had cast a long shadow and we wanted to bring back light to our great city and country. We wanted to offer hope and joy to our residents. After looking wide and far, we came upon the artist Bruce Munro. Someone, who, like us, wanted to instill a sense of exhilaration, well-being, and optimism through his art. We are honored to share Field of Light at Freedom Plaza with New York and the world,” said Stefan Soloviev, Principal of the Soloviev Foundation and Chairman of the Soloviev Group.
“While I was travelling in Central Australia many years ago, I had this incredible experience of just feeling alive and connected to the landscape around me. I wanted to create a field of light that, like the dormant seed in a dry desert, would quietly wait until darkness falls and then bloom with gentle rhythms of light,” said artist Bruce Munro. “A New York City installation of Field of Light has been a longtime professional aspiration. It is incredibly humbling to watch Freedom Plaza come to life with such purpose and enthusiasm.”
“We began exploring the possibilities of an outdoor art exhibit several years ago and it has been remarkable to see our plans materialize in such a meaningful way,” saidMichael Hershman, CEO, Soloviev Group. “Field of Light at Freedom Plaza has surely captured the interest and imagination of New York, and we look forward to introducing this inspirational experience to the city.”
Field of Light at Freedom Plaza will remain in place for 12 months and will welcome guests free of charge on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 5pm to 9pm, with extended holiday hours to include December 24, 26 and 27 as well as New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. In response to public excitement, additional tickets have been added to all dates beginning with December 15, 2023. Visitors are encouraged to visit fieldoflightnyc.com to schedule their complimentary time. Additionally, the installation will be lit Sunday through Wednesday evenings and visible from the site’s perimeter.
Field of Light at Freedom Plaza is comprised of 18,750 lowlight, fiber-optic stemmed spheres that were individually assembled and then hand-placed on the site’s surface. Installation was led by eight members of the UK-based Bruce Munro Studio team in collaboration with The HOPE Program, and with the support of scores of community members who generously volunteered their time.
A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, The HOPE Program empowers New Yorkers to build sustainable futures through comprehensive job training and lifelong career support. HOPE Program participants receive training in essential skills, digital and financial literacy, workplace math and English and more while also completing hard skills training for careers in fields such as green construction and maintenance, green infrastructure, high-efficiency HVAC installation, and security.
