The Roof Garden Commission: Alex Da Corte: As Long as the Sun Lasts

Alex Da Corte confronts themes of identity and consumerism in his work, placing familiar objects and cultural icons in surprising and surreal contexts. As Long as the Sun Lasts, his new site-specific work commissioned by The Met for its Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, "introduces" the beloved Sesame Street character Big Bird to the kinetic sculptures of Alexander Calder. As discussed by curator Shanay Jhaveri in his incisive essay, Da Corte's working method entails a deep immersion in art history, popular culture, and his personal story. A second essay by cultural critic Jack Halberstam provides a compelling consideration of As Long as the Sun Lasts in the context of Da Corte's earlier work. In a conversation with Sheena Wagstaff, the artist further discusses his diverse influences, from Renaissance painting to horror films, and elaborates on his imaginative process.