THE G.O.A.T.
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The G.O.A.T. Monument (Going Back to The Meadows)
Currently - Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Museum, Stony Brook, LI
May 2023 - Present
Previously - Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens NYC
Nov 2021 - Nov 2022

Going Back to The Meadows, A Tribute to LL Cool J and Performance at FMCP, 2021
Bronze, Resin, Stainless Steel, Steel, Winterstone, Wood, Audio, Lighting & Solar Power System
Nov 2021 – Nov 2022
8.5’Height/ 3.5’Width/ 3’Length
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A Sculptural Sonic Monument dedicated to the legacy of Queens Hip-Hop legend LL Cool J, his native Queens NY and historical performances at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Also known as The G.O.A.T. Monument. Two things will change over the course of this 1 year exhibition. Parts of the steel structure will naturally rust by the elements of Queens Flushing Meadow Park. A metaphor for the neighbor hoods of Queens having a profound impact on the development of LL Cool J. Second, the audio playlist will change over the coming months to highlight favorite tracks by DJs, friends and fans of LL Cool J.
Meet the CAST of Transitions through Triathlon:
TECHNICAL DRAWING
The Technical Drawing contains overall design, accurate measurements and structural design.
(Click an image to enlarge)
The G.O.A.T. Monument PRESS:
(Click the available Links below to read Press coverage)
LL Cool J live on Late Night with Seth Meyers: https://youtu.be/DDMzsgeg1r4
LL Cool J Visit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXxPd31g5rR/
LL Cool J first post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXJza2QpL3n/
Validated Magazine: https://www.validatedmagazine.com/culture/2022/4/9/monumental-king-sherwin-the-artist-banfield
NY Post: https://nypost.com/2022/01/11/new-ll-cool-j-statue-in-queens-knocks-you-out/
Time Out New York: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/a-statue-of-rapper-ll-cool-j-is-now-on-display-in-queens-010422
Untapped New York: 10 New Public Art Installations In NYC January 2022 - Untapped New York
Billboard: LL Cool J Statue With Solar Powered Radio Debuts in Queens – Billboard
Hip-Hop Coordinator Ralph McDaniels of Video Music Box: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CY4sDo_hgbW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Art in the Parks — Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Qns: https://qns.com/2021/12/queens-artists-winners-2021-art-in-the-parks-flushing-meadows-corona-park/
Consequence of Sound: LL Cool J Gets Solar-Powered Statue in Queens
American Songwriter: New LL Cool J Statue Plays All His Hits Via Solar-Powered Boom Box
WBLS: LL Cool J Honored With A Statue In His Hometown Of Queens | 107.5 WBLS
The Grio: https://thegrio.com/2021/12/11/ll-cool-j-bust/
BNC News: https://youtu.be/8juL2Kv2Zsg
Atlanta Black Star: 'Anything Is Possible': LL Cool J Honored with a Bust In His Hometown of Queens
The Source Magazine: https://thesource.com/2021/12/07/ll-cool-j-honored-with-statue-the-g-o-a-t-monument-in-queens/
NY Post 2: https://nypost.com/2022/03/22/why-ll-cool-j-would-never-host-the-oscars-no-disrepect/
Yahoo News: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/ll-cool-j-receives-tribute-142515122.html
Vibe Magazine: https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/ll-cool-j-statue-queens-1234639036/
Revolt TV: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2021-12-07/143120/ll-cool-j-statue/
Rolling Out: LL Cool J bust unveiled in his native Queens, New York - Rolling Out
ERadio: https://e-radio.us/ll-cool-j-honored-with-statue-the-g-o-a-t-monument-in-queens/
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LONG ISLAND MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT HALL OF FAME MUSEUM
The current site location for The G.O.A.T. Monument is The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Museum in Stony Brook, Long Island, NY
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The previous site location for Going Back to the Meadows/ The G.O.A.T. Monument (Nov '21 - Nov '22) is David Dinkins Circle in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York.
CREDITS
NYC PARKS @nycparks
‘‘Going Back to the Meadows’ is supported by New York City Parks and Recreation with the Art in the Parks: Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park Grant. This sculpture will be exhibited at the David Dinkins Circle from Nov 2021 to Nov 2022. NYC Parks has been showing public art in city parks since 1967
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QCA @qnsarts
This Hip Hop Monument is made possible in part by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
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LMCC @lmcc_nyc
‘Going Back to the Meadows’ was developed as part of Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Governors Island COVID-19 Response Residency program. LMCC.net The sculpture bust was modeled, sculpted and casted on Governor’s Island, NYC over the 3 month period of this residency. Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) serves, connects, and makes space for artists and community. www.LMCC.net
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LEON SPEAKERS @leonspeakers
Audio Speakers was generously donated the amazing team at LeonSpeakers / Sound + Style for Any Space. Leon Speakers mixes art with audio, design with technology, and business with bohemia.
CITY ARTIST CORPS GRANT @nyfacurrent
New York, NY – Public Sculptor, Sherwin Banfield is one of 3,000 New York City-based artists to receive the City Artist Corps Grants program, presented by The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), with support from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) as well as Queens Theatre.
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Custom Concepts @customconcepts
The Solar panel type designs were crafted by Custom Concepts in Montclair, NJ, blending the perfect form and function with design and communication.