Artist Raúl de Nieves has transformed Pioneer Works Main Hall into a breathtaking sanctuary through his monumental new installation titled "In Light of Innocence" (2025). The ambitious project features 50 stained glass-like panels that soar toward the ceiling, creating a vibrant spiritual environment that blends Catholic imagery, Mexican folklore, and tarot symbolism into a dazzling visual experience.
The installation showcases de Nieves' signature approach of using everyday materials to create extraordinary art. For this project, he employed wood, glue, tape, and brilliantly colored acetate instead of traditional glass, allowing natural light to filter through the panels and illuminate the expansive hall. The individual pieces are carefully fitted into the building's existing windows, while a larger lightbox mural radiates from below, creating layers of colored light throughout the space.
What sets this installation apart from traditional cathedral environments is de Nieves' bold incorporation of non-religious imagery and typographic elements alongside spiritual references. Among the striking visual elements is a skeleton riding a horse, which serves as a powerful symbol of transformation in tarot tradition. The artist has also included provocative text panels featuring phrases like "happiness runs in circular motion" and "words are like weapons they wound sometimes," adding contemporary commentary to the sacred atmosphere.
This diverse mixture of spiritual and secular references creates an inclusive environment designed to welcome visitors from all backgrounds and belief systems. According to an official statement about the exhibition, "In Light of Innocence invites viewers to embrace change not as loss, but as renewal—a passage that leads to deeper insight and inner strength." The installation encourages reflection and personal connection regardless of one's religious or cultural background.
The immersive project represents a significant milestone for de Nieves, marking his first major institutional exhibition in New York City. "In Light of Innocence" will remain on display at Pioneer Works through December 14, giving visitors ample opportunity to experience this unique fusion of contemporary art and spiritual imagery. The installation demonstrates how traditional sacred spaces can be reimagined for modern audiences while maintaining their power to inspire contemplation and renewal.
