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  • We acquired this object.

2018

  • Work on this object began.

2019

2025

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Petrified River

It was architect: Ensamble Studio and designed by Antón García-Abril and Débora Mesa. It is dated 2018-2019. Its medium is outdoor garden installation, photograph, model. It is a part of the Exhibitions department.

Petrified River is a site-specific installation for the museum’s garden that represents the transformation of Manhattan from wild nature to urbanized landscape. Three natural elements—hill, river, and pond—are the main components and are metaphors for “Mannahatta” or “island of many hills.” The installation continues Ensamble Studio’s fascination with structures in the landscape begun at Tippet Rise Art Center (Fishtail, Montana, USA).

It is credited Courtesy of Ensamble Studio.

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Nature—Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial.

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<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/2318798831/ |title=Petrified River |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=3 July 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>