New York City is home to some of the most amazing public art in the world thanks in part to its “Art in the Parks” program, which has commissioned hundreds of projects, ranging from the experimental to the traditional.
NYC has had city-funded murals in public housing since the 1930s, and began envisioning public space as an “outdoor museum” as early as 1967, with a special outdoor initiative called “Sculpture in Environment.”
Now, New Yorkers can enjoy permanent and seasonal pieces throughout the city. Here are five incredible pieces on display this year:
Boogie Down Booth by Chat Travieso
This piece is on display until June 24th, 2016 in Seabury Park, Bronx. The colorful installation reimagines the elevated tracks at Seabury Park in the Bronx with local music, solar-powered lights and seating. Also included are a community bulletin board and a mural wall painted by middle and high school students.
Please Touch the Art by Jeppe Hein
This piece from Danish artist Jeppe Hein features walls of water that delineate evanescent “rooms.” Visitors move throughout as jets of water rise and fall among mirrored planks of stainless steel, meant to suggest a city skyline. It will be on display up to April 17th, 2016 in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Looking Up by Tom Friedman
This 33.3-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture uses crushed aluminum foil roasting pans as its material to suggest a futuristic humanlike figure. The process maintains texture through molding and lost wax casting. The piece will be showcased from January 28th, 2016 to July 2016 at Park Avenue Malls at 53rd Street.
Fat Boy by Leonard Ursachi
On display until April 15th, 2016 in Prospect Park, this oversized head is embedded with three mirrored bunker windows. Carved from styrofoam, the piece is covered in a weatherproof material. “My bunkers reference not only war but also nests, shelter and refuge. They are as much about longing for home as they are about conflict,” says designer Leonard Ursachi.
Sky Feather by Petros Chrisostomou
Located at the Riverside Park Bird Sanctuary at 116th Street, this piece hopes to bring awareness and camaraderie for the city’s natural birdlife community. The exhibit is a meeting point for visitors and birders. The feather is meant to evoke journey and flight. The piece will be on display until June 10th, 2016.
