“A sensible and sentient automaton that perceives and reflects” is how Parreno describes this site-specific environment. Consisting of a series of interconnected objects, Echo “lives” in the Museum’s lobby and moves in response to data culled from its surroundings in real time. Like Echo, the nymph from Greek mythology who was deprived of speech except for the ability to repeat the last words she heard, this living automaton speaks to visitors when stimulated by occurrences inside and around MoMA. Parreno’s creation manifests itself through motorized sculptures, light, video animation, and sound, creating “a space as a being.”

Commissioned on the occasion of the The Museum of Modern Art’s 2019 reopening, courtesy the artist and Gladstone Gallery, New York and Brussels; Esther Schipper, Berlin; and Pilar Corrias, London. Organized by Yasmil Raymond, former Associate Curator, Department of Painting and Sculpture, with Tara Keny, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Drawings and Prints.

The artist wishes to thank Barbara Gladstone Gallery, Marie Auvity, and Laura Lupton.