This week, we went on a hunt for “Library for All” a creation by artist Aseel Sawalha which sits on the banks of the Hudson River in the northern stretch of the tranquil Riverside Park. Although we initially struggled to locate the sculpture, when we spotted the massive turquoise piece from the terrace overlooking the park, we rushed down the steps, leading us down to the banks of the river. Resembling a massive turquoise drill on a slight angle to burrow into the ground, the sculpture looks like it could teeter with just a slight gust of wind. Upon closer inspection, the piece is composed of sturdy found books arranged in different orientations to create its unique shape. The shape is no accident. Sawalha’s distinctly manmade form mirrors the industrial structures that disrupt the natural landscape. In conjunction with the natural materials present in the recycled writings that make up the piece, this installation on display through September 2026 is a must see for nature lovers and bookworms alike.
“Library for All” by Aseel Sawalha
Immigrants in the Arts
"Chasing Rainbows" by Charlotte Colbert
As the weather begins to shift and hints of spring bring a renewed sense of optimism, we recently came across the two-part installation “Chasing Rainbows” by UK-based multimedia artist Charlotte Colbert, curated by New Public. Placed across New York’s Flatiron and Meatpacking neighborhoods, the towering sculptures invite passersby to pause amid the city’s constant movement and reconnect with a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around them. Set in the shadow of the Flatiron Building, “Dreamland Sirens” takes the shape of a watchful eye supported by cascading mirrored tears that reflect the viewer and the surrounding city. With its unmistakable resemblance to the protective evil eye motif found across many cultures, we like to think it might also be quietly keeping watch over all of us. Nearby, “Where Angels Live” appears as a steel tree adorned with talismans and symbols representing meaning across cultures, religions, and personal beliefs. Together, the sculptures evoke protection, reflection, and perhaps a hopeful signal that brighter days lie ahead.
True Strength
“Love-ego= Lov Couple 1/4 wo/man” by Pavel (Pasha) Radetzki
This week, we set out on a downtown art pilgrimage through Lower Manhattan, chasing the vivid silhouette of “Love-ego = Love Couple 1/4 wo/man” by Pavel (Pasha) Radetzki located in Thomas Paine Park. Tucked into the city’s Civic Center, the sculpture immediately commands attention with its vivid color and striking form: two figures, each missing a quarter of their bodies. Radetzki’s choice of the missing fraction is intentional. It reflects the devastating population loss in the Paless’e or Polesia marshlands, Radetzki’s homeland along the Belarus–Ukraine border. By physically removing part of each figure, the artist makes absence visible, transforming statistics into something human and deeply felt. The work becomes not just a sculpture, but a quiet call for peace and remembrance. The placement of the sculpture adds even more resonance. Located near the historic sites of the Small Collect Pond and the African Burial Ground and set against the imposing backdrop of the New York State Supreme Court, the piece invites reflection on justice, memory, and our collective responsibility to confront humanitarian loss.
Words Matter
“Even Still” by Almond Zigmund
After this week’s thrilling blizzard, we found ourselves drawn to a pop of color amidst the yet again snow-covered landscape. Located in Bella Abzug Park within the Hudson Yards neighborhood, we braved the slush and wind to visit the eye-popping installation “Even Still” by New York based artist Almond Zigmond. Rising above the walkways of the park, the sculpture is an emblem of contrast in both its shape and coloring. Drawing from her inspirations of geometry as a simultaneously unifying and destabilizing force, Zigmond creates an experience of tension for the viewer. The soft curves of the structure are offset by straight, unyielding lines in bright colors which adorn it. Instead of yielding to the discomfort of dissonance, “Even Still” encourages us to embrace the natural contradictions that embody each of us and our environment to find harmony.
Global Entry Program on Ice
On February 22, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced that it was suspending the Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) Global Entry program, which is used by millions of air travelers for expedited airport screening at customs upon arrival in the United States. The suspension, they claim, is a consequence of the partial government shutdown that began on February 14, 2026, stemming from the ongoing dispute in Congress over funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”). Global Entry is a trusted traveler program, that allows vetted, pre-approved travelers who have paid for the service, expedited clearance when entering the United States and has been referred to by CBP as the “perfect program for frequent international or business travelers.”
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