In the Blink of an Eye

Photo by Joe Carrotta ’17.

On Saturday, March 25, Eye of Fashion – the large sculpture on Seventh Avenue in front of the Goodman Center – was removed from campus for a much-needed facelift.

Eye of Fashion was created by Robert Cronbach in 1976. Although few of us will remember this, the sculpture’s surface was originally a shiny gold color. Cronbach intended the exterior to oxidize naturally over time. However, significant deterioration has occurred over the years.

Conservation and preservation will be conducted by Wilson Conservation, LLC, one of New York City’s most highly respected conservation firms. (Co-owner Jackie Wilson is an FIT alumna.) The company has conserved and restored exterior sculptures at Herald Square, Madison Square Park, Princeton University, and the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, among other locations.

The work on Eye of Fashion will occur in two stages: discovery and restoration. First, the artwork will be opened to learn the condition of the interior steel armature and the full extent of required conservation for the sculpture’s exterior. Wilson Conservation will then design and execute the necessary restoration and preservation, including a thorough cleaning and application of a patina that will simulate the appearance of natural oxidation while stabilizing the exterior surface to protect the artwork from uncontrolled oxidation.

Conservation treatment will occur at an art facility in the Bronx and is expected to take between six months and one year, after which Eye of Fashion will return to campus.

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