By Gus Saltonstall
A new piece of public art has landed on the Upper West Side.
In the last week, “The Big Apple” sculpture was installed at the northwest corner of West 97th Street and Columbus Avenue.
The arrival of the work in our neighborhood, which is part of the Department of Transportation’s Art Program, was spearheaded by the Columbus-Amsterdam Business Improvement District.
“The BID was instrumental in securing this project and we are very excited that it will be on display within our BID for the next six months and will force visitors to stop and reflect on the sights & sounds of everyday life,” Daniel Bernstein, the executive director of the Columbus-Amsterdam BID, told West Side Rag in an email.
He added that there will be a public unveiling ceremony at some point in the next few weeks, but the details are not yet finalized.
The sculpture was created by the LeMonde Studio, and for the two years prior, it had been presented by the Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance and the Lincoln Square BID elsewhere in Manhattan.
“For some, it is the land of opportunity and productivity. For others, it is all about creativity and inclusivity,” the studio wrote in a description of its sculpture. “For all, New York City is the Big Apple. Our design team wanted to create a unique structure that allows New Yorkers and its millions of visitors to stop and reflect.”
The sculpture is located in front of a Whole Foods on a bustling Upper West Side block.
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Its already become a place for homeless men to hang out in.
Get rid of it. Now.
I went to take a picture of it this weekend and a homeless man was sprawled out in it. Oh well. Maybe next time.
It’s a horror. No rhyme or reason NYC.
The area is a pigsty, garbage thrown everywhere. A real disgrace.
Ditto. I Couldn’t even get a photo op.
I saw some nursery school teachers bringing children over to this structure, but there was a local beggar sprawled inside. So the children were not brought inside.
I’ve been asking for years for DOT to put some bollards up on that corner to protect pedestrians but we got this instead
homeless will sleep in it
” … inclusivity … ” as in including all the “unhoused” who will convert it into their private space.
The fact that there is a DOT art program speaks to the complete dysfunction and waste of this city government.
This comment & the responses to it are just the giggle I needed today!! From conjuring up political spirits of the past (which frankly is befitting of his son’s dispirited campaign-DOA and splintering the party/vote) to wholesale condemnation & contempt for a complex, chaotic diverse & disparate city government over a red metal apple sculpture-only in NY kids!!
PS-something to consider, Adams triumphed in handling the flood of people sent to this city relentlessly by southern states and kept our streets, parks, highways and public spaces safe clean open and free of becoming encampments. He’s done that while gradually bringing crime down, returning QOL, and worked hard to make NYC better than what DeB left behind. Yes…he’s an imperfect politician but he loves NYC & his job.
Yes!
DOGE is needed in NYC!
Where is Musk when needed?
Mister Government Can Do No Right is here.
NYC public school students perfrom well below grade level, streets are filthy, homeless and drug users are everywhere, mass transit is a mess, Housing deficiency, Infrastructure is failing including much of what the main focus of the DOT should be,, Lander mismanaged the pesion funds, the city is going to be hit hard with cost overruns of social programs and doesnt have the reserve funds, etc etc.
So yeah, government “can do no right” even with their key responsibilities. Let’s also be clear, there is no one in NYC government at any level with any type of intelligence so these problems will only get worse.
You like your water and sewer service right? Do you call 911 when your house is on fire? Should I go on?
Mario Cuomo has the experience if you
can forgive his indiscreations
Absolutely not. He has not changed,
Mario Cuomo is dead
To be fair, even still Mario would do a better job than Adams
You beat me to it!
As to the original comment, so much for an educated and informed electorate.
Of all the artsy/artistic/artful/artless street sculptures around the UWS and the City, isn’t this precisely the one where it’s not necessary to ask, “what is it”?
If you do not have a functional Police Department anyplace that homeless people can take over they will. Cops who don’t feel supported don’t do proactive law enforcement, don’t confront people. The most important question a cop must have an answer to is (or what?) Cop sees people hanging out goes up says guys take a walk, they ask (or what?) The cop has no answer. If a cop is going to tell someone to do something if he does not have an answer to (or what?) stay in the car.
OPOD,
The cops have plenty of current experience staying in the car and Candy Crushing. They also like to stay at one end of subway platforms nowhere near the turnstiles.
Yes that’s my point.
Love the stinky and loud Mr Softy ice cream truck right next to it lol
chemical ice cream. Call RFK jr
It’s been filled with garbage since they put it up. In fact it looks more like a garbage receptacle as a result. This corner and the front of Whole Foods is filthy. Whole Foods is not very respectful to the community or for keeping their storefront clean! This is really a slight to the neighborhood. As is the 97th St corner where this “sculpture” was placed.
It would be nice if the city spent the money on street cleaning rather than art pieces that don’t really fit in. I call attention on this to Gale Brewer and Shaun Abreu.
I’m shocked that an Amazon subsidiary isn’t respectful to the community.
Also, speaking of disrespectful merchants: Red Apple is the company that Catsimatidis owns, and through that controls Gristedes and D’Agosino’s .
Is it ADA accessible?
Why are the majority of comments on this website so miserable all the time? Everyone needs to take a meditation class and stop being such a huge bummer.
I recommend meditating in the big red apple. Just recite “om” while the homeless guy urinates next to you.
Literally one of the noisiest corners on the UWS, who on earth would want to relax there?
The noisiest and most filthy corner on the UWS.
Hey Debbie Downer, got Fitbit a person should wants to sit down for a few minutes!
Hey English Lit major, what does that sentence mean?
Not surprising that this “art” has become a receptacle for garbage as well as a toilet for the homeless. The neighborhood takes a noticeable nose-dive as soon as you go north of 86th St.
I live north of 86th Street and there’s no nosedive! Sounds like all you folks with nothing but negativity may want to consider moving somewhere you’ll be happier living.
Maybe you’ve become immune to it. Anyone who lives south of 86th knows it’s true. Accept reality and move on.
I really appreciate the installation—it’s stunning and would have offered people a lovely spot to enjoy and relax.
Sadly, no public art feels truly safe in the city these days, especially on the UWS. The sheer number of homeless and shelters is overwhelming, and it seems like only the industry tied to these issues is benefiting.
Instead of removing art from the city, we should focus on overhauling an industry that profits from people’s misery.
You might be the first person I’ve ever seen in the WSR comment forums that actually touch on the biggest reason why homelessness is a problem in the city. The shelter system is corrupt, unsafe, and fosters a prison-like environment.
A combination of overhauling that system combined with the right on the street assistance services (like the Breaking Grounds of the city) would be a great start.
Because this would help alleviate so many stakeholders, from the general public to law enforcement officers put in difficult positions.
(I feel like this would actually be a solution that multiple sides can agree on, especially the multiple crankypants that consistently comment these days 🙂 )
A fun piece of iconic art, welcoming for kids and adults. It was clean during a recent visit and a mom and kids were delighted by it.
Yes Whole Foods should be a good community partner and make sure it is clean and used as indented.
I like it and do not understand the negativity so often a part of WSR comments. By happy, people.
“What is It?” As the article’s headline says, it’s a Big Red Apple Sculpture! It’s cheerful and clean every time I’ve passed by (what about the nearby metal benches, or the curb?). And it will be up for only 6 months.
Good for those desiring to add some cheer and humor — and a place to sit a minute.
Sad for those who can only conjure up negative reactions.
Where are the cops?
It’s not illegal to be homeless.
It’s difficult enough having to walk up and down blocks in the UWS . These look to impede pedestrians.
What a wonderful creation! And one can go inside it, enjoying a seat in its shade and appreciating its openness to all. Indeed, the Big Apple has always been hospitable!
Where’s the giant cockroach sculpture? Let art imitate life!
Surprised it’s not in the street eliminating some more parking.
Woah great idea!
The DOT Arts Program did this??!! Dumb move DOTs. Get people who know the area and do not provide beds for the homeless! There or anywhere in NYC. Get real.
Let’s close subway and all the parks then following your logic.
I’m sorry to see all these negative comments about the Big Apple sculpture. My husband and I happened to pass by it the first day it was installed…and really appreciated this unexpected NYC addition to our neighborhood. A sculpture that reminds us of the many unique and creative talents among us. This corner is an active crossroads for families, seniors, students, workers and vendors …and perhaps someone experiencing homelessness…busy, resting, working or on their way to their next stop. And we happen to love the new addition.
What a waste of precious arts money. It blocks this busy sidewalk, obstructing the natural flow of walkers. In the morning there is litter strewn throughout it. And I’ve yet to see anyone sitting there; people prefer the standard bench nearby. It’s an unnecessary, stupid eyesore.
Shame on the MTA.
Was there today. The ice cream truck was there, pumping engine or generator fumes right into it. A woman was sitting in it. 😳