The New Orleans Museum of Art reveals two new international additions to its sculpture garden

By Eileen Fleming

Published January 7, 2015 at 5:51 PM CST

Mimmo Paladino's bronze sculpture Caduto a ragione (Fallen to the Ground) is a archaic bronze figure falling victim to the persistent pecking of a flock of birds..

There are two new additions on display at the Sydney and WaldaBesthoff Sculpture Garden: Caduto a Ragione by MimmoPaladino and Wind Sculpture V by YinkaShonibare.

WWNO’s Eileen Fleming met up with New Orleans Museum of Art Director Susan Taylor outside the garden to discuss the donations made by the Besthoffs.

Susan M. Taylor, NOMA's director, says the two new sculptures enhance the international stature of NOMA and the garden:

Shonibare's Wind Sculpture V is a majestic 20-foot tall resin sculpture evoking a bolt of African batik fabric blowing in the wind on a large scale. The sculptures reference the sails of ships, continuing Shonibare's exploration of maritime trade affecting cultural identity. Wind Sculpture V is installed in the grassy triangle to the south of the garden entrance. Paladino's monumental bronze sculpture Caduto a ragione (Fallen to the Ground) is an enigmatic, archaic bronze figure falling victim to persistent pecking of a flock of birds. Caduto a ragione is installed within The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, in the front section of the garden near the bridge over the lagoon.

The sculpture garden is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It now attracts about 100,000 visitors a year.