SOLAR SANCTUARY

Location: The Plaza, New York, NY, 2025
Media: LEDs, diffusion and reflective material, custom lighting sequence, electrical hardware, stainless steel, and brass
Dimensions: 105 in x 72 in x 132 in (266.7 cm x 182.88 cm x 335.28 cm)

In Inca culture, Inti, the sun god, is revered as the father of their rulers and the source of life, energy, and time. Represented by a golden disk, Inti and his gold symbolize power, wealth, and the divine energy that sustains the world.

In her latest work, SOLAR SANCTUARY, Grimanesa Amorós explores this profound power source, respectfully reimagining its narrative. Amorós reclaims the patriarchal framework through this piece, positioning women as embodying warmth, strength, and resilience. SOLAR SANCTUARY honors the legacy of Inti while celebrating the transformative role women have achieved over the past two decades, asserting their place as vital sources of power and light in society.

The installation creates its own ritual of daily worship, featuring a unique lighting sequence by Amorós that invites viewers to connect and participate. The sculpture provides those enticed a moment of silence and focus, encapsulating them in the light and symbolism of her created deity, SOLAR SANCTUARY.

The interaction between the viewer and the art aims to encourage gratitude. SOLAR SANCTUARY symbolizes the warmth and light women bring into physical and metaphorical spaces. Through this work, Amorós pays homage to Inti and redefines power dynamics, celebrating women’s enduring strength and nurturing energy.