Louis K. Meisel Gallery in New York City will present “Larry Kagan: Men,” an exhibition of steel and shadow sculptures by artist Larry Kagan, opening May 9 and running through June 20. Kagan, a former engineer turned sculptor, creates intricate steel assemblages that, when lit from a calculated angle, project remarkably detailed shadow images onto the wall, blending material and illusion. The show includes works like “Michelangelo's Adam” (2025) and highlights his career shift from acrylics to metal in the 1980s under the mentorship of Richard Stankiewicz.
This exhibition matters because it challenges traditional notions of sculpture by making shadow an integral, ephemeral component of the artwork, expanding the boundaries of visual perception and form. Kagan’s engineering background and precise fabrication techniques offer a unique intersection of art and science, inviting viewers to reconsider how solid objects can generate intangible images. The show also underscores the ongoing relevance of innovative, process-driven sculpture in contemporary art, and adds to Kagan’s growing presence in public collections like The Jewish Museum and the Flint Institute of Arts.