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If you fancy exploring New York City off the beaten track and seeing things few tourists stop at, I heartily recommend that you go looking for Tom Otterness’ humorous sculptures.
This American sculptor, born in Kansas in 1952, has disseminated several of his works in New York. Surprising sculptures that have nothing to do with the inescapable Statue of Liberty or the imposing bull on Wall Street. No, far from the bombastic, Tom Otterness imagined small discreet sculptures but full of humor and mischief. The sculptor nonetheless remains a committed artist: many of his works criticize almighty money, the greed of real estate developers and social inequalities.
Endearing little characters
So where to see sculptures by Tom Otterness in New York? Here are the 3 main locations:
- Battery Park City
When you’re past Castle Clinton in Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan, head down the Hudson River to the Battery Park City Children’s Playground. There, you will come face to face with creatures made by Tom Otterness. The ensemble was called “The Real World” and was installed here in 1992. My favorite: the big character who tries to play the violin…
- In the subway 14th Street – 8th Avenue
Another funny place to meet: the 14th St – 8 Av metro station, the gateway to the Meatpacking district. As soon as you get out of the train, on the platform, you will come across a hundred little characters, each more adorable than the next. But on closer inspection, you will see that some represent greed, absolute power and all the faults of Humanity. Entitled “Life Undergroud”, this project has been in place since 2002.
- Sur Roosevelt Island
Finally, do not miss a detour to Roosevelt Island: it will first be the opportunity to take the unusual Roosevelt Island cable car and enjoy a unique view of Midtown. It will also be an opportunity to meet some pretty sculptures by Tom Otterness. Once out of the cable car, make your way to the docks on the Manhattan side. Go up the East River to the north: the sculptures are on the banks of the Hudson. In particular, you will see the symbolic and impossible marriage between the greedy real estate developer and a peaceful little house just begging to stay in place.
The characters of Tom Otterness in photos
tom otterness new york
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A crocodile in the New York subway!
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tom otterness roosevelt island
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tom otterness roosevelt island
” data-medium-file=”https://www.cnewyork.net/wp-content/uploads/resizefly/2018/01/tom-otterness-roosevelt-island-225×[email protected]” data-large-file=”https://www.cnewyork.net/wp-content/uploads/resizefly/2018/01/tom-otterness-roosevelt-island-768×[email protected]” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.cnewyork.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/tom-otterness-roosevelt-island.jpg?resize=246%2C328&ssl=1″ width=”246″ height=”328″ align=”left” title=”tom otterness roosevelt island” data-recalc-dims=”1″/>
Sur Roosevelt Island.
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