When Geoffrey was in town recently for his annual visit, we did our usual whirlwind tour of art museums in Manhattan and beyond. Our stop at the New Museumwas my first visit since it reopened in March after being closed for two years during its massive expansion. And boy, was I surprised when I saw the first public art commission greeting visitors in the museum’s exterior plaza. I knew immediately it had to be the work of Sarah Lucas. Because if you know, you know.
The sculpture, VENUS VICTORIA (2026) by the British artist is the inaugural public-art commission for the museum’s new outdoor plaza at Bowery and Prince Street. Hello!
It’s no secret that the Park Avenue malls frequently play host to impressive public art installations, but I wasn’t expecting to stumble upon this year’s exhibition while walking home from the Morgan Library. As I crossed East 36th Street, I was greeted on both the north and south sides of Park Avenue by a pair of exuberant floral sculptures created by Israeli artist Dorit Levinstein, whose work is represented by Eden Gallery. It was my first encounter with these sculptures, and their bold colors and joyful energy immediately brightened the afternoon. Better yet, they’ll remain on view through May 2027, giving New Yorkers and visitors plenty of time to enjoy them. Continue reading Dorit Levinstein’s Vibrant Sculptures on The Park Avenue Malls→
If you’re looking for a fun and easy day trip from Manhattan this summer, why not spend a few hours exploring Roosevelt Island? A unique blend of residential neighborhoods, waterfront parks, and fascinating history, the island is just a four-minute ride from Midtown aboard the Roosevelt Island Tramway at East 59th Street. Once you arrive, simply wander at your own pace and you’ll discover plenty of unexpected sights that make the trip worthwhile.
One of the most joyful surprises awaiting visitors to the New York Botanical Garden’sFlower Power exhibition isn’t growing in the gardens — it’s parked right up front. Covered from bumper to bumper in vibrant flowers, psychedelic lettering, and saturated rainbow colors, artist Snoeman’s painted bus immediately transports visitors back to the optimistic spirit of the late 1960s — specifically 1967’s Summer of Love.
If you’ve been in Madison Square Park lately — especially on the east side along Madison Avenue — it would be hard to miss the enormous Orange Fire Hydrant rising above the landscape near the children playground. At nearly 15 feet tall, the oversized sculpture immediately catches the eye, inviting smiles from everyone who can’t resist wondering what an ordinary piece of New York City infrastructure is doing transformed into a monumental work of art. Continue reading Roberto Lugo’s Para Los Días Caliente In Madison Square Park→
