“The Raft” by Kenneth Doherty

While exploring Riverside Park last week, we came across “The Raft” by Kenneth Doherty, a member of the Art Students League of New York, and knew it merited its own post. Set against the sweeping backdrop of the Hudson River, the piece seems to emerge from the water itself, as though rising from unseen depths. The sculpture portrays a group clustered tightly on a tilted platform, their bodies leaning together in uneasy balance. Some faces convey fear and urgency, while others project quiet resilience, hinting at a shared struggle. Although the narrative is left open-ended, the figures suggest flight, an escape from unknown forces. The work inevitably calls to mind contemporary images of refugees navigating perilous seas, as well as the broader political tensions and environmental uncertainties that drive such journeys. In its stillness, “The Raft” captures motion, vulnerability, and endurance all at once, inviting viewers to confront both human fragility and collective strength.

“Library for All” by Aseel Sawalha

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.

"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.

“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.

“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.

“Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective”

Last week, we had the chance to see the final days of “Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective” at the Museum of Modern Art. The exhibition traces Ruth Asawa’s remarkable journey from her early academic training to her rise as one of the most innovative voices in American contemporary art. Featuring more than 300 works from across Asawa’s career, the retrospective highlights the breadth of Asawa’s practice, while centering her iconic wire sculptures. Formed from continuous, interlocking loops of wire, these intricate pieces explore texture, light, and shadow. Their delicate, suspended forms shift with their surroundings, creating an almost meditative visual experience. Asawa’s life story is as compelling as her art. Born in California in 1926 to first generation Japanese Immigrants, she endured profound injustice because of her background. In 1942, her family was forcibly separated and incarcerated in internment camps under U.S. government policies targeting Japanese Americans. After her release, she enrolled at the Milwaukee State Teachers College to study education, but discriminatory laws in Wisconsin prevented her from receiving a teaching credential due to her ancestry. The exhibition effortlessly underscores the resilience behind Asawa’s work and the transformative power of American modern art. It invites reflection on creativity born from adversity and the enduring ability to make beauty in the face of hardship. The retrospective will next travel to the Guggenheim Bilbao in Bilbao, Spain, and the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen/Basel, Switzerland, where it will remain on view through January 2027.

Love and Unity at Half Time

This past weekend, in the middle of the year’s biggest game, we were entranced by the half time show by Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known professionally as Bad Bunny. Fresh off his historic Grammy win the weekend prior, the artist brought together his Puerto Rican heritage, impeccable storytelling, and dynamic visuals to create a stunning performance we will not soon forget. Infusing every second of the show with Puerto Rican culture and messages of unity and love triumphing over hate, the performance inspired us through recognizing the complex network of identities and backgrounds that make up our country. Closing out the set with the title track of his most recent album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Bad Bunny recited the names of the many countries that make up the Americas urging us to reconsider the borders that divide us and to see them instead as threads connecting us to a larger, shared whole.

video credits: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2U96VNSDMJw

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2U96VNSDMJw

Flatiron NoMad Glows Pink and “Mr. Pink” by Philippe Katerine

Amidst the ongoing cold snap here in New York, this week offered a much-needed reset through joy, color, and creativity. To embrace this optimism, we visited Flatiron NoMad Glows Pink, a neighborhood-wide celebration designed to lift spirits during the darkest stretch of the season. Central to the festivities is “Mr. Pink,” an installation featuring ten larger-than-life sculptures of Mr. Pink, a figure that embodies Mignonisme, or Cuteism, created by French artist Philippe Katerine. From narrow spaces between buildings to rooftops and courtyards, the sculptures are scattered across the neighborhood, delighting passersby. At first glance, the figures radiate playfulness and whimsy, filling the streets with bold color and a sense of lighthearted surprise. But look a little closer, and Mr. Pink reveals something deeper. A visible scar on his chest symbolizes the wounds we all carry, while his expressions, ranging from inquisitive to ecstatic to quietly melancholic capture the full spectrum of human emotion. Together, the sculptures celebrate vulnerability, resilience, and the beauty of everyday life. We hope you’re able to visit this vibrant, free public installation before it closes on February 28, and until then, stay warm and keep seeking color wherever you can.

Trading Petitions for Pottery

Given the stresses of the immigration field these days, we thought we would try some pottery throwing as a way to clear our minds and relax our spirits. Through a crash course at Zerimar Clay, we were introduced to the fundamentals of ceramics and learned how to shape the stunning agate clay to our will. Under the guidance of our skilled instructor (thanks Michael!), we created our own pieces ranging from bowls to chalices, all special in their own way. Although some of us found shaping clay more intense than preparing an O-1 petition, we all left with our hands a little smoother and unique pieces we will treasure. Maybe next time we will try something a little more relaxing like paintball!