JOIE DE VIVRE | Mark di Suvero

DISCRIPTION:

Mark di Suvero’s Joie de Vivre is a monumental steel sculpture that captures energy, movement, and optimism through its towering, abstract form. Installed in Lower Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park, the piece rises over 70 feet, constructed from bold, intersecting I-beams painted in a vivid red-orange hue. The structure’s sweeping lines and angled limbs evoke a sense of motion, almost as if the sculpture is caught mid-dance. Despite its industrial materials, it feels buoyant and expressive, embodying the spirit of its name — the joy of living. Positioned among the rigid geometry of surrounding skyscrapers, it creates a powerful contrast, inviting viewers to experience the emotional and spatial impact of large-scale public art. Di Suvero’s use of balance and tension transforms heavy steel into something dynamic and uplifting, making the sculpture not just a visual landmark, but a celebration of vitality, resilience, and creative freedom in the heart of the city.