Closing Bell: Tom Otterness Comes to Dumbo
The above instillation by Tom Otterness, a former Dumbo artist (he relocated to Gowanus) probably most recognized from his work at the 14 Street subway station, will be on view in Dumbo at the intersection of Prospect and Washington streets until Jan. 4, 2009. The sculpture, about 7 feet tall, is sponsored by Two Trees…
The above instillation by Tom Otterness, a former Dumbo artist (he relocated to Gowanus) probably most recognized from his work at the 14 Street subway station, will be on view in Dumbo at the intersection of Prospect and Washington streets until Jan. 4, 2009. The sculpture, about 7 feet tall, is sponsored by Two Trees Management and the Dumbo Improvement Association.
The first place I saw his work was in the chess area at the very north end of Hudson River Park by Stuyvesant High School. If you are fan of his and haven’t been there, it is really great. A little dark and really witty.
Public art like the stuff in the subways was probably funded from grants specifically for that purpose. No money would have been diverted from maintenance to put a metal man on the seat.
I really enjoy his crows at the Canal Station. Upstairs it feels like you’re surrounded by birds. And in Battery Park City there are these great clergymen with rat tails. Some of the work is a bit cutey but on the balance I dig it.
I like his work. It’s whimsical and seems to make a lot of people, including me, smile. As for taking up a seat at 14th Street, if one of the cute little metal guys wasn’t there, you would have a 50% chance it would be some 350 pound rider that typically overflows into a second seat on the waiting benches or inside the train itself.
I’m not sure what was paid to have the display at the station, but I’m sure it wouldn’t put even a tiny dent in the cost of improving even one of the deplorable stations in question. If anything, we should be complaining about tax dollars paying for the ridiculous, ineffective and intrusive “random” police searches in the subways.
can those who appreciate digestable art read and spell better?
I agree 4:57…from what I notice there are subway stops in deplorable condition…Jay St on the A, Bleecker on the 4/5,etc, etc,etc. I’m sure they get far worse in neighborhoods that I don’t frequent
one of his annoyingly cute little metal guys takes up a full seat at the 14th ave subway station. a seat that people can’t sit on. im a working artist. but if the mta wants to beautify their stations they should start with their upkeep and design and worry about decorating them with knickknacks and paddywacks second.
one of his annoyingly cute little metal guys takes up a full seat at the 14th ave subway station. a seat that people can’t sit on. im a working artist. but if the mta wants to beautify their stations they should start with their upkeep and design and worry about decorating them with knickknacks and paddywacks second.
I knew this from reading dumbonyc.com -which had nysun link–two weeks ago.
I have already been excited. Agree that links could be better here.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.