Lower Manhattan Public Aart Offers Visitors Grand, Open-Air Museum Experience
With more than a dozen masterpieces from world-renowned artists, Lower Manhattan is home to a remarkable and inspiring public art program. The works of art are now featured in a new walking tour itinerary curated by the Downtown Alliance, “Lower Manhattan by Public Art.” The full tour can be found on the Alliance’s website at https://downtownny.com/lower-manhattan-public-art.
The walking tour begins at the district’s northernmost edge at 1 Police Plaza, across from City Hall. Here, visitors will find 5-in-1 by Tony Rosenthal. The artist’s work of five interlocking steel discs, rising to a height of 35 feet, represents the five boroughs coming together as one city. Additional pieces of art featured are:
Shadows and Flags by Louise Nevelson (William Street between Maiden Lane and Liberty Street)
Seven pieces bundled together as a singular abstract unit alludes to the wafting flags, ceremonious spirals, and blooming trees that define the New York City landscape.
Group of Four Trees by Jean Dubuffet (28 Liberty Street)
The “four trees” are created by a series of intertwined irregular planes, which lean in different directions and are connected by thick black outlines. The piece is part of Dubuffet’s “L’Hourloupe” cycle — a bold, graphic style inspired by a doodle.
Sunken Garden by Isamu Noguchi (28 Liberty Street)
In the winter, the garden, set one story below ground level, is a dry circular expanse; in the summer, it is transformed into a giant water fountain.
Red Cube by Isamu Noguchi (140 Broadway)
The bright, red-painted steel structure is in high contrast to the buildings around it, its diagonal lines cutting through the intense vertical architecture of its surroundings.
Joie de Vivre by Mark di Suvero (Zuccotti Park)
Rising 70 feet high, the bright red Cor-Ten Steel unrestricted tetrahedrons of the sculpture command attention from all those who pass it.
Double Check by John Seward Johnson II (Zuccotti Park)
Life-sized bronze statue of businessman sitting on a bench became famous after 9/11, and damage caused from falling debris remains on the sculpture today.
Charging Bull by Arturo di Modica (Broadway at Morris Street)
The “Bull” has become the iconic symbol of Wall Street’s optimism and a must-see New York City attraction.
The Sphere by Fritz Koenig (Battery Park City’s Hope Garden)
Originally placed in the Plaza at the World Trade Center complex, the 45,000 pound, 15 foot steel and bronze sculpture was created to symbolize world peace through world trade.
Ape & Cat (at the Dance) by Jim Dine (Robert F. Wager Jr. Park Promenade)
The romantic and whimsical bronze and wood work is part of a series of drawings and sculptures that follow an absorbing creature couple.
Rector Gate by R.M. Fischer (Hudson River Esplanade at Rector Place)
The influence of Russian Constructivism and Science Fiction are evident in the stainless steel, bronze and granite work towering 50 feet high.
Upper Room by Ned Smyth (Hudson River Esplanade at West Thames Street)
The colonnaded court sculpture refers to the stylized temples of ancient Egypt and encloses a table, chess board, stools, an altar-like arbor and a sculpted palm tree.
The Real World by Tom Otterness (Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Park)
Otterness’ signature cartoon figures portray animals, people, bankers, robbers, pilgrims and prey rubbing shoulders in their own enchanting, whimsical and entertaining society.
Balloon Flower by Jeff Koons (7 World Trade Center)
Placed in the park next to 7 World Trade Center as an homage to the survivors of the September 11th attacks, Balloon Flower encourages reflection — the sculpture beckons passerby to look at it and then reflects their image back at them.