The Monologue of Ice
Atta Kim's Melting Ice Buddha

Friday March 25, 2011 @ 6:00 PM


Be a part of Atta Kim's work!

Kim's dramatic installation—a 5 1/2 feet tall, 1,300 pound ice sculpture of a seated buddha—will slowly melt into a pool below it, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Friday evening. The ice sculpture will remain on view until completely melted, a process that will take several days.

The museum will be open overnight Friday through the early hours of Saturday morning and into regular museum hours, closing at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. The sculpture will then remain on view during normal museum hours until Monday at 5:00 p.m. or it has completely melted.

As the work melts, you are encouraged to touch the ice and take away non-potable water from the pool on your way out of the museum, using small glass containers that will be provided. It is the artist's intention that the collected water be used to continue the cycle of renewal by watering a plant. This presentation is an extension of Grain of Emptiness: Buddhism-Inspired Contemporary Art, on view through April 11.

Free

  • Directions
  • By Subway
  • A, C and E to 14th Street (8th Avenue)
  • 1 to 18th Street (7th Avenue)
  • 1, 2, 3 to 14th Street (7th Avenue)
  • F and M to 14th Street (6th Avenue)
  • L to 14th Street (6th Avenue)
  • N, R, Q, 4, 5 and 6 to 14th Street Union Square
  • By Bus
  • M6, M7, or M20 to the corner of 7th Avenue and 18th Street.
  • M5, M6, or M7 to the corner of 6th Avenue and 18th Street.
  • Parking
  • There is a 24-hour parking lot on the corner of 17th Street and 6th Avenue. In addition, there are parking garages along 17th Street going towards Union Square.
  • Hours
  • Monday: 11 a.m – 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 11 a.m – 7 p.m.
  • Thursday: 11 a.m – 5 p.m.
  • Friday: 11 a.m – 10 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m – 6 p.m.

  • The museum is closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day.

  • The Café and the Shop are open during the museum hours.

  • To find out more about our tours
    view our Tours page.
  • Accessibility
  • The Rubin Museum of Art strives to meet the needs of all visitors. For information about general accessibility and special programs at the museum, view our Accessibility page.
  • Admissions
  • Adults - $10.00
  • Seniors 65+ - $5.00
  • Students 13+ - $5.00
  • Children (12 and younger) - Free
  • Museum members - Free
  • Gallery admission is free every Friday from 6-10 p.m.
  • Gallery admission is free for seniors (65 and older) on the first Monday of every month.

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