Tovar The Chair is a public art proposal presenting the large-scale evolution of one of the most recognized works by Dominican surrealist artist Iván Tovar, titled La Chaise Adulte (The Adult Chair). Originally created as an oil on canvas in 1969, it was reinterpreted as a bronze sculpture in 1971 and again in 2013. In 2024, the piece was brought to monumental scale in stainless steel and installed at Broadway Plaza, Times Square, between 45th and 46th Streets and 7th Avenue in New York City. Located in the heart of Times Square, La Chaise Adulte will be available to the public until November 15th of this year. The event is expected to draw thousands of tourists, the Latin community in New York, and the more than 800,000 Dominicans living in the city and its surrounding areas. Tovar The Chair is the Iván Tovar Foundation's first public art initiative in New York City, made possible through the sponsorship of Dominican art collector and Foundation member Héctor José Rizek Sued, as well as the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team. This proposal elevates Tovar's artistic legacy to an international level. The Iván Tovar Foundation's vision is for public artworks like La Chaise Adulte to serve as sources of inspiration for a new generation of Latin artists. Marking its temporary home in iconic Times Square, La Chaise Adulte stands out for its three-dimensional form, inviting audiences to reflect on Tovar's work and the continuity of surrealism as a dynamic and provocative visual language. Tovar's contribution to this vital current of thought is a testament to his technical mastery and deep connection to the creative impulses and conceptual principles that define surrealism as an artistic and revolutionary movement. Rather than functioning as a functional piece of furniture or utilitarian object, La Chaise Adulte is a stage upon which global desires and universal emotions are displayed. Within the broader surrealist context, the work infuses profound meaning into an everyday object, imbuing the physical sculpture with a mysterious and mystical quality. The Iván Tovar Foundation drew upon the unique history of La Chaise Adulte for its public exhibition. The 13-foot-tall (4-meter) stainless steel version stands as a striking display of Tovar's surrealist genius against the urban canvas of Times Square. In broad terms, the Tovar The Chair project physically embodies the mission of maintaining, preserving, and personifying Tovar's legacy, while exalting his unique vision of surrealism and how this multidisciplinary artistic approach has shaped his decades-long career. Credits & Acknowledgements General Production — Iván Tovar Foundation Patron & Sponsor — Héctor José Rizek Sued Artistic Director — María Castillo Advisors — Yuri Ruiz Villalona · Michèle Dalmace Foundry — Capa Escultura, Madrid, Spain With the participation of: Fernando Capa · Mayte Sánchez Ballarin · Sculptor Capa Escultura · Jonathan Corroto Navarro Text — Lilian Carrasco Artwork Cataloguing — Simona Cappelli Photography — Luis López (Gabú) · Quico Valenzuela · Mariano Hernández · José Ángel Perdigones Muñoz · Cotton Agency Project Manager — Mariella Acebal Executive Manager — Daniela Tovar Castillo New York Event Production — Melissa Sigmond, Mad/Dash · Liliana Guia, Mad/Dash · Sal Jenco, Living the Dream Unlimited · Nicole Zoppi, Living the Dream Unlimited Public Relations & Media — Sara Fitzmaurice, Fitz & Co. · Laura Schwarz, Fitz & Co. · Sabrina Hall, Fitz & Co. · Elizabeth McNamara, Fitz & Co. Acknowledgements — Giselle Infante · Laura Santana · Deyanira De León · Oscar Lantigua · Darío Oleaga · Ezequiel Taveras · Times Square Alliance · Tom Harris · Damian Santucci · Taylor Varga · New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) · Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez
