Domingo Zapata, Spanish-American Contemporary Artist, to Create American Flag Installation for World Trade Center
Renowned Spanish-American contemporary artist Domingo Zapata is planning to bring his creative and innovative touch to the lobby of One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, with a commemorative and colossal American flag installation.
The artistic visionary's work of art will be a "25-by-10-foot piece is a collage of a flag made out of materials from all 50 states," according to the New York Post's Page Six. "It incorporates stainless steel stars that reflect viewers, turning them into part of the installation."
Zapata is reportedly still putting the finishing touches to the work, which is awaiting approval from the Port Authority before it can be displayed.
The "poignant, commemorative mural for the lobby of Freedom Tower in Manhattan," will be unveiled as part of the building's opening ceremony and remain on permanent display, according to Zapata's official website. "Additional commissions include a panel for the newly restored Colosseum in Rome as well as the lobby of the landmark Plaza Hotel in New York."
Dubbed as the "new Andy Warhol, with starlets begging for a sitting" by the New York Post, Zapata has been wowing the art community -- and the world -- for over two decades.
Zapata, who was born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, "has built a body of work, which varies significantly in motif, though consistently explores themes of sexuality, opulence, and vitality in his signature style," according to his bio. "In this distinctive hand, Zapata layers fantasy and reality, luring the viewer into his potent, cosmically beautiful world."
On Sept. 18, Zapata was also the recipient of the Vanidades Icons of Style Award for the Arts, which was presented to him by actress Kelly Rutherford at New York's esteemed hotel, the Mandarin Oriental. The memorable night, in which Latin Post attended, also celebrated fellow Vanidades Icons of Style award winners, Rita Moreno, Thalia and Narcisco Rodriguez.
"He creates images that people not only perceive as alluring, but also inspiring, courageous and independent," Rutherford gushed during her Vanidades presentation. "Domingo was aptly named the 'new Andy Warhol by the New York Post' -- and not because he likes Campbell soup, because his artwork, like Andy Warhol's, breaks barriers and he is constantly evolving and seducing us with his richness and charm. Keeping the art world on its toes and the world at large, waiting to see what he will do next."
"From his paintings of Spanish horses and matadors to his decorated bullfighter jackets that celebrate his Latin heritage...He embodies his art, and it's not easy to separate the two -- and why on earth would you want to?" she added.
Actors Johnny Depp and Leonard DiCaprio collect his work and famous female celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan and Pamela Anderson have been painted by him. "Modern Family" Colombian actress Sofia Vergara also had Zapata paint her actual body in the nude. Needless to say, like his work, Zapata is contemporary and in-demand and considered to be a very lucky man for his starlet collaborations!
Zapata's latest show, "A Bullfighter in New York," opened last week at the C24 Gallery and runs until Dec. 24.