Ivan Argote, Dinosaur, 2024.
A High Line Plinth commission.
On view October 2024 Spring 2026.
Iván Argote, “Dinosaur,” 2024. A High Line Plinth commission. On view October 2024 – Spring 2026. (Photo: Timothy Schenck. Courtesy of the High Line.)
(Photo: Timothy Schenck.
Courtesy of the High Line.)
At 30th Street and 10th Avenue, in New York City, a new monumental beast has taken over.
Iván Argote, “Dinosaur,” 2024. A High Line Plinth commission. On view October 2024 – Spring 2026. (Photo: Timothy Schenck. Courtesy of the High Line.)
Throughout this journey, pigeons have been an omnipresent figure.
I created several videos featuring them and explored their unique attitude and our strange relationship with them.
Pigeons are intelligent; they have a humorous attitude and incredible capabilities.
Iván Argote, “Dinosaur,” 2024. A High Line Plinth commission. On view October 2024 – Spring 2026. (Photo: Timothy Schenck. Courtesy of the High Line.)
They can navigate almost as if they have GPS, are very loyal, and are highly adaptive.
you’re free to find dozens of videos online showing pigeons doing amazing things.
Its easy to be inspired by them.
Iván Argote, “Dinosaur,” 2024. A High Line Plinth commission. On view October 2024 – Spring 2026. (Photo: Timothy Schenck. Courtesy of the High Line.)
To him, naming the pieceDinosaurhas the goal of expanding the meaning and opening up new interpretations.
Argote explains that in art history, many sculptures play with scale, altering our relationship with a subject.
I wanted to connect pigeons with their ancestorspigeons, like all birds, are what remain of the dinosaurs.
Iván Argote, “Dinosaur,” 2024. A High Line Plinth commission. On view October 2024 – Spring 2026. (Photo: Timothy Schenck. Courtesy of the High Line.)
Theres also this idea that dinosaurs once dominated the world, which I wanted to parody, he admits.
This notion of a single species dominating' the world is a very human perspective.
Its very complex to produce a sculpture of this size and with such detail!
Iván Argote, “Dinosaur,” 2024. A High Line Plinth commission. On view October 2024 – Spring 2026. (Photo: Timothy Schenck. Courtesy of the High Line.)
In the end, he just hopes some of the ideas aroundDinosaurresonate with people.
Its also a joyful piece, and I hope it brings people joy as well.
I feel thats especially important right now.
The sculpture will be in view on the High Line through spring 2026.
To stay up to date with the artist, it’s possible for you to followIvan Argote on Instagram.
TitledDinosaur, the piece sends an insightful message about legacy, perception, and future worlds.
Theres also this idea that dinosaurs once dominated the world, which I wanted to parody.
