In the verdant expanse of the Storm King Art Center, New York’s eulogy to the seamless dance between nature and art, the latest exhibition by Arlene Shechet stands as a testament to the playful earnestness of contemporary sculpture. Her new series, a cavalcade of large-scale, boldly-colored creations, injects an invigorating whimsy into the solemn groves of this iconic sculpture park. The exhibit, baptized under the open skies, reimagines the dialogue between environment and the man-made, challenging the onlooker’s senses while demanding joy in the interaction.

Arlene Shechet, a sculptor known for her fearless use of color and profound grasp of form, extends her repertoire with this exhibition by exploring a grander scale and an intensified palette. Her works, rooted in the domain of the abstract, are commendable not only for their physical might but for their ability to converse with their surroundings. Shechet, in her artistic narrative, does not merely place objects in a space; she transforms the space itself. Each sculpture, with its imposing size and vivacious hues, punctuates the landscape, crafting a narrative that is as vibrant visually as it is profound.

The nuances of humor in Shechet’s work are particularly poignant. It surfaces subtly in the exaggerated curves and the unexpected punches of neon, a stark, delightful contrast to the muted greens and browns of the natural world enveloping them. This sense of play is not frivolous but a deliberate, thoughtful injection of joy into the monologue of traditional sculpture. Through her spirited approach, Shechet invites her audience to a lighter, perhaps more reflective interaction with art.

Indeed, Arlene Shechet’s exhibition at Storm King goes beyond visual stimulation; it is a multifaceted sensorial experience. As viewers traverse the landscape, moving from one sculptural giant to the next, there exists a constant shifting of perspective — a dynamic interplay of light, shadow, and color. In this crafted spontaneity, Shechet champions the unpredictable, the moments of surprise that art, in its most magnificent form, can afford.

Fresh, audacious, and undeniably engaging, Arlene Shechet’s monumental sculptures at Storm King prompt a reconsideration of what it means to interact with art. They are not mere objects of observation but active participants in the exchange of emotions and ideas. With this show, Shechet not only paints the landscape but enriches it, contributing a chapter to Storm King’s storied existence with a palette that speaks in tones of joy and discovery.