Teresita Fernández’ Fata Morgana consists of 500 running feet of golden, mirror-polished discs that create canopies above the pathways around the park’s central Oval Lawn. In nature, a fata morgana is a mirage that forms across the horizon line. Alluding to this phenomenon, Fernández’s project introduces a shimmering horizontal element that will engage visitors in a dynamic experience. The installation hovers above the winding walkways to define a luminous experiential passage for visitors. The metal forms, perforated with intricate patterns reminiscent of foliage, create abstract flickering effects as sunlight filters through the canopy, casting a golden glow across the expanse of the work, paths, and passersby.
Fernández’ work is characterized by an interest in perception and the psychology of looking. Her large-scale works are often inspired by landscape and natural phenomena as well as diverse historical and cultural references. The artist describes her concept for Fata Morgana “was to invert the traditional notion of outdoor sculpture by addressing all of the active walkways of the park rather than setting down a sculptural element in the park’s center.” Parkgoers could look up into the shimmering surface to view their reflections intermingled with images of pathways and foliage.
