Whimsical world takes shape in Yonkers

A magical new world has come alive at the Hudson River Museum, where palm trees made of shoelaces and sneaker treads dangle overhead and zebra heads, born from shiny black and white pencils, jut out from the wall. A world where hundreds of bullets and a military helmet can become a tortoise and yellow leather shoes bound together can create a magnificent sun rising over cornstalks made from shovel handles.

This is the world of Columbian artist Federico Uribe, whose colorful, jaw-dropping creations have transformed the first level gallery of the Yonkers museum. 

“Everybody who comes totally loves it,” said Linda Locke, director of public relations and marketing at the museum. “They’re so involved with it. You have to just look and look.”

The exhibit, “Fantasy River,” is inspired by the dreams of Mr. Uribe, who uses objects like screws — millions of them — shoes, bullets, pencils, computer keys, rakes, books and garden hoses to construct mind-boggling sculptures that need to be seen to be believed.

The pieces tell the story of life along an imaginary river, where horses made from woven metal and wood graze and a hippopotamus composed of hundreds of computer keys swims in a sea of blue and green shoelaces, spiraled on the floor. Each turn of the head reveals a new scene, a new dimension of beauty and a chance to jumpstart our own imaginations.

“Federico Uribe’s work brings out the child in us,” wrote independent curator Manon Slome. “Not only do we marvel at the hugely creative tableaux and environments of the jungle, farm and domestic scenes he creates, but he also causes us to look at things again with innocence.”

The museum has planned a number of events that complement the exhibit. For a complete list or more information, go to www.hrm.org.