Leo Villareal: Stars
Originally a project for the arched windows of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s (BAM) Peter Jay Sharp Building for the 6th Annual Next Wave Art exhibition in 2007, curated by Dan Cameron, Leo Villareal’s Stars would ultimately become the cornerstone of the BAM’s Robert W. Wilson Public Art Initiative. While originally intended as a temporary installation, the transformative power of these five sculptures made it clear they should become permanent. Called the “pièce de résistance” of the BAMart program by former BAM president Karen Brooks Hopkins, they announced to the world that culturally exciting activities were happening within the campus and the sculptures became so iconic that BAM made their design a part of the permanent institutional brand identity. Once on view, the Visual Arts department at BAM was responsible for their maintenance and long-term care. In 2019, BAM announced the expansion of its public art program, including additional new commissions by Villareal.
Role: Commissioning Team
Date: October 2007—Present
Location: BAM Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Artist: Leo Villareal
