Art Stroll Beckons! Fresh Air Plus Culture Fix in NYC

We're finally thawing out in NYC, and I have to admit, being couped up inside for so long thanks to the chilly air and recent blizzard, we've been feeling a little stir crazy. But we have an idea! For a little upbeat jaunt outside, we say grab your lightweight stroller (like the yoyo by Stokke for instance) and go on an Art Walk circuit close to home. It's worth it! 

Here are a few can't-miss stops to mark your adventure outdoors. See other downtown public art you think we should add? Let us know by taking a pic and giving us the location & we'll add it on!

Time to roll!

Berlin Wall Section in Battery Park City, Thierry Noir

Head over to Pumphouse Park in Battery Park City to see an artful piece of history, as a 12’ x 8’ section of the Berlin Wall sits just south of Brookfield Place. The brightly painted figure depicted on the wall is credited to French artist Thierry Noir, who told the Battery Park Authority that the artwork was intentionally simple and quick to create, as there was a looming possibility of arrest at the time. A prolific graffiti artist, he shared that over six years in Berlin, he’d painted in the ballpark of four miles of wall. Once the divide between communism and capitalism, Noir's artwork now stands for resilience and hope. 

The Bean, Anish Kapoor

OK, if you haven’t gotten your requisite picture in the reflection of Anish Kapoor’s Bean, it’s about time.  Based on the Chicago landmark (Cloud Gate), this mirrored sculpture is 19 feet tall and 48 feet long, and sits in front of luxury condo 56 Leonard (aka The Jenga Building). It’s a stunner. See the world anew through your curvaceous reflection – the city stretching like a funhouse behind you --- and then save that fashionable flick on your camera roll.

Brushstroke, Roy Lichtenstein in front of 3 World Trade Center

One of the world's most recognized pop artist's works can be found, supersized, in front of 3 World Trade Center. Brushstrokes, one of Roy Lichtenstein's most iconic works is rendered in a comically large sculpture in Lower Manhattan.  The paint swooshes and swoops skyward, in the most playful way. It's an awesome pop art moment. 

Frank Gehry’s Flaming Fish Sculpture at 3 World Trade

A stone's throw from the Hudson River, Frank Gehry’s 20 by 7-foot copper sculpture, Flaming Fish hangs above your head as you traverse 3 World Trade Center. Commissioned by Silverstein Properties, the illuminated fish, which is the artist's largest suspended fish sculpture, slowly rotates, giving a light and shadow show below. Pop in the lobby at 3 World Trade to check it out. 

Koenig Sphere, by Fritz Koenig at Liberty Park

Koenig Sphere, which once sat between the Twin Towers at the center of Austin J Tobin Plaza, now basks in the sun on the elevated walkway in Liberty Park. This bronze orb symbolizes world peace, as well as, after it was recovered from the rubble after the attacks on September 11th, hope and resistance. 

Rewind (a collection of sculptures), by WhIsBe outside the Oculus

What kid wouldn't be enamored by the playful large-scale sculptures by New York artist WhIsBe? As the city snow melts, a giant green dino, fuchsia robot, red rocket, alphabet blocks, as well as blue and red gummi bear emerge to delight even the most jaded of city-folk.  

These candy colored steel sculptures, collectively dubbed "Rewind," are on display outside of the Oculus. This is definitely a fab final stop on your Lower Manhattan Mini-Art Walk. Afterwards: Perhaps a hot cocoa or if time permits a little lunch inside Calatrava's masterpiece of a mall.