Renowned Spanish Artist Edgar Plans Unveils Lil’ Heroes Sculptures in NYC
“The Dreamer” Currently on Display at the Entrance of The Shops at Columbus Circle through March 31st
(February 29, 2024 – New York) – Yesterday Spanish artist Edgar Plans unveiled two Lil’ Heroes sculptures at The Shops at Columbus Circle in New York City. Lil’ Heroes, an entertainment brand created by Plans in partnership with Exile Content Studio, a division of Candle Media, includes merchandise and licensing, events, publishing, gaming, and more. An animated series based on the brand is currently in the works and will feature NBA star Carmelo Anthony.
“Because of Edgar’s artistry and vision, Lil’ Heroes has quickly become one of our most beloved franchises,” said Daniel Eilemberg, CEO of Lil’ Heroes, “We are thrilled that Lil’ Heroes has been invited to become a feature at The Shops at Columbus Circle.”
Standing at an impressive 11.5 feet, one of the new sculptures by the world-class contemporary artist will live at the entrance of The Shops at Columbus Circle now through the end of March. Titled “The Dreamer,” the sculpture depicts a child gazing skyward, serving as a testament to the enduring power of human imagination and the unyielding spirit of hope. At the heart of the sculpture, the child’s dog stands dutifully by his side, symbolizing unwavering companionship and support on the journey of life. Together, they form a heartwarming tableau that evokes a sense of unity, determination, and friendship.
A second version of the sculpture, standing roughly 5 feet tall, is located on the second floor overlooking the Great Room of The Shops at Columbus Circle. The installations will run through Sunday, March 31st.
Edgar Plans is a Madrid-born artist best known for his colorful, expressive, and lively big-eyed, mouse-eared cartoon characters known as the Animal Heroes. A contemporary visual artist, his vivid cartoons are currently displayed in the Moscow Museum of Modern Art and the S2A Museum in Seoul. His pieces are sought after worldwide and set records in auction houses like Christie’s.
“We are proud to continue our 20-year commitment to public art, bringing exhibitions from sought-after artists like Edgar Plans to the heart of Manhattan,” said Stephanie Fink Plakoudas, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Partnerships, & Events at The Shops at Columbus Circle. “Whether you are a long-time admirer of Edgar’s work or will experience his artistry for the first time while shopping or dining at The Shops, we are confident that the inspiring core message of the piece – to never stop dreaming – will resonate with all who visit.”
Limited editions of this project will be officially presented at VILLAZAN Gallery at its New York location (VILLAZAN New York, 60 East 80th Street) today, February 29th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It will be an open presentation to the public, featuring exclusive displays of the original sketches for the sculptural project. Taking advantage of the second anniversary of Lil’ Heroes, there will also be sketches, notes, and drawings from this digital collection. The artist does not usually showcase these types of works publicly, making it a great opportunity to see them and spend time with the artist.
About Lil’ Heroes
Lil’ Heroes is a brand and entertainment franchise created by Spanish artist Edgar Plans in partnership with Exile Content Studio. It was launched in January 2022 as an NFT collection, which serves as the basis for an entertainment franchise with multiple touchpoints with its fans and audience. These include merchandise and licensing, an animated show, events, publishing, gaming, and more.
About The Shops at Columbus Circle
The Shops at Columbus Circle opened in February 2004 within the Time Warner Center development (now known as Deutsche Bank Center), inclusive of The Shops, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, One Central Park Luxury Residences, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60 Columbus Circle offices and the Deutsche Bank U.S. Headquarters at 1 Columbus Circle. The Shops at Columbus Circle serves as a connection between the entertainment energy of Times Square, the cultural activities of Lincoln Center, the recreational spirit of Central Park, the business and commerce forces of Midtown, and the rapidly growing residential neighborhoods of the Upper West Side. The center is made up of 2.8 million total square feet, inclusive of 1.2 million square feet of office space and 338,000 square feet of retail and restaurants with over 40 specialty retailers and boutiques and over 10 restaurants and bars. The Shops at Columbus Circle is home to two 3 Michelin-starred restaurants featuring world-renowned chefs such as Thomas Keller and Masayoshi Takayama. The two 12-foot-tall monumental bronze sculptures, Adam and Eve, are the work of Colombian artist Fernando Botero and draw worldwide attention due to their larger-than-life stature and taboo nature.
For more information about The Shops at Columbus Circle, please visit https://www.theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com/.
