“Los Mariachis” and “Out of Sight” – two Seward Johnson sculptures have been installed on Atlantic Street in Hackensack!
For the third consecutive year, and as a result of the resounding success of previous years’ sculpture placements, the Main Street Business Alliance has secured sculptures by Seward Johnson for all of Hackensack’s residents and visitors to enjoy! The Art on Main program is a critical part of the MSBA’s Creative Placemaking efforts.
Last year’s very successful placement of the “Relish Too?” and “ Who’s in Charge?” bronzes by Seward Johnson was such a huge success, and the feedback was very positive.
We’ve again secured two – count’em, two bronzes by renowned artist, Seward Johnson, both of the lifelike bronze sculptures will be on display through September. These two new pieces are part of the Main Street Business Alliance’s efforts to bring more art to the area. The program, called “Art on Main” is meant to make more art available for all residents and visitors to enjoy! The sculptures will be on display through sometime in September.
“Los Mariachis”
Seward Johnson loved a surprise and truly enjoyed creating the unexpected. Here, we see him catching viewers unawares with a pair of modern-day mariachi players. The mariachis were produced from Mr. Johnson’s imagination, and he was a fan of this spirit-lifting music. As you can see, the detailing – especially of the intricate clothing and guitars of the musicians – is uncanny.
Seward Johnson delighted in creating a sense of wonder and discovery through his sculptures. He celebrated the everyday moments that bring joy and meaning to our lives. Art, music, theater, dance, and food were all the things Seward loved, all of which involved connecting with other people. Los Mariachis captures his life-long celebration of finding the fun in the everyday. We continue to honor Johnson’s legacy with inclusive public art placements that foster community engagement.
“Out of Sight”
These two brothers set off to find just the right wind to lift their colorful kite aloft. Note the younger boy’s Batman logo T-shirt. This brings to mind a specific childhood reference to superheroes and one of our favorite fantasies. This sculpture was on view for many years in Key West, Florida, one of artist Seward Johnson’s home bases and favorite spots.
Connect with the art!
We hope you’ll connect with the art in the Special Improvement District.
Does being with nature cause you to see the world differently? What do you discover? Do you feel differently? Seward Johnson often highlights the moments we pause, rather than the many hours we work or actively play.
Where is stillness in motion? How can we move with what moves us? How do we negotiate our own mobility while collaborating with an object with mobility at its core? What and where are our brakes? How do we connect with our need for things to pause and stop? How do we encounter something that we are used to completely anew?
Link for more information: https://sewardjohnsonatelier.org/
From modest to grand, budget-friendly to high-end, effective creative placemaking draws crowds. Vibrant spaces lure in businesses, residences, schools, and more, as people gravitate towards lively communities.
