See more objects with the tag Manhattan, concrete, urbanization, structure.

Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

2018

  • Work on this object began.

2019

2025

  • You found it!

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 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.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

For higher resolution or commercial use contact ArtResource.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/2318798831/ |title=Petrified River |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=14 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>