CityRealty Insider > The New Age of Public Art

The New Age of Public Art

MARCH 30, 2010

Public art installations add elements of style and surprise to city streets and sidewalks.

A recent public art project has involved placing life-size nude statues—actually fiberglass body casts of British artist Antony Gormley—around Madison Square Park and on the rooftops and ledges of the Empire State and Flatiron buildings. The artist’s intention was to put the statues as close to the edge as possible—though they’ve been getting a few actual humans edgy as well.

More public art will add a stylish distraction to city streets this summer with the creative contributions of top fashion designers. Diane von Furstenberg, Norma Kamali, Betsey Johnson and others. These designers will be outfitting mannequins on Broadway (courtesy of the Fashion Center Business Improvement District and Macy’s with help from students at Parsons and FIT). The mannequins—wearing one-of-a-kind outfits by the designers—will be positioned on the new pedestrian plazas between Herald Square and Times Square from June 24 through Labor Day.

In addition to the rooftop sentries and models on parade, some larger-than-life flora will be giving Upper East Side pedestrians a bug’s-eye view. A bouquet of 3- to 22-foot-high fiberglass roses created by artist Will Ryman will pop up on Park Avenue beginning in January 2011.

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