"Harlem Melodic Moments" is a dynamic celebration of East Harlem’s rich musical legacy that is inspired by and depicts the music of Harlem and El Barrio on each façade through a visual rhythm of concentric interlocking rings. Large-scale medallions outlined in gold showcase performers of Salsa, Bolero, Latin Jazz, Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Be-Bop, Hip-Hop, Rap and other danceable fusion genres. These styles, originating and proliferating from the communities of this neighborhood, have reached worldwide recognition and are now permanently celebrated by Rodriguez’s sculpture. The loci of these diverse styles of music and dance is called out by an ornamental entablature sign for 116 St at the center of each side of the viaduct. Fabricated by UAP in aluminum and affixed to each face of the newly rehabilitated Park Avenue Viaduct, the project spans the north and south sides of East 116 St in East Harlem, and measures 6 feet high and 96 feet long on each side, totaling over 1,150 square feet. 

Jorge Luis Rodriguez (b. 1944, San Juan, PR) arrived in New York from Puerto Rico in 1963. Following a career in advertising, Rodriguez was educated at the School of Visual Arts and New York University where he earned a master’s degree in Sculpture. He was an artist-in-residence at the Studio Museum in Harlem in 1980 and created Growth, the first New York City Percent for Art permanent artwork commission in 1985. Rodriguez taught sculpture at the Kingsborough Community College and School of Visual Arts. His work has been displayed at the historic gallery Just Above Midtown, El Museo del Barrio and the Museum of Contemporary Hispanic Arts.