Walking Figure Sculpture

“Walking Figure” sculpture is a 30 foot tall outdoor aluminum sculpture located at the Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Suffolk County, New York. It weighs close to 5,000 pounds and took several months to construct. It was shipped almost 2,500 miles, from Arizona, via a flatbed truck. The controversial sculpture now has a permanent home inside the traffic circle at the airport’s main entrance.

Commissioned by cousins Gregg and Mitchell Rechler, the developers behind the new Hampton Business District at Gabreski Airport, “Walking Figure” is intended to reflect the types of businesses that will eventually lease space at the nine-building, 440,000-square-foot complex, which will be anchored by a three-story hotel.

“The sculpture is bold and imaginative, with a liveliness that mirrors the modern design elements and positive, open feel of the Hamptons Business District,” said developer Mitchell Rechler, managing partner of Rechler Equity.

Mr. Baechler explained that the Rechlers hired him to create a 30-foot-tall figure made from aluminum. The final product, which was constructed at a studio in Arizona over several months, is less than 6 feet wide and depicts a smiling girl in mid-stride.

Artist: Donald Baechler

Foundry & Client: Bollinger Atelier

Commissioned by: Gregg and Mitchell Rechler, Rechler Equity