"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!

“Nurturing Tree” by Judith Modrak

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Stuyvesant Square stands “Nurturing Tree,” a 2025 installation by New York City–based artist Judith Modrak. Known for her bright sculptures inspired by the social and natural sciences, Modrak brings a sense of wonder and reflection to this striking piece. Its vibrant purple, and almost alien, outstretched arms echo the form of the beloved mother elm tree that anchored the community for more than three centuries. The sculpture rises directly from the elm’s remaining stump, which now serves as its pedestal, a powerful reminder that beauty and meaning can emerge from spaces shaped by loss. Commissioned by the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association, “Nurturing Tree” encourages viewers to consider how kindness can be cultivated wherever we plant it. Brightly colored seed pods scattered across the sculpture symbolize small acts of care and compassion, each one carrying the potential to take root and spread far beyond the park itself.

"Kânh Chhrôôl (Gluta Usitata), Melembu, and Khlông (Dipterocarpus Tuberculatus)" by Sopheap Pich

This week, we explored the High Line to experience Kânh Chhrôôl (Gluta Usitata), Melembu, and Khlông (Dipterocarpus Tuberculatus) by Cambodian artist Sopheap Pich on view through August 2026. Known for transforming natural materials into sculptures inspired by bodily organs and plant structures, Pich’s pods suspended above West 24th Street are crafted from copper, gleaming in the sunlight while embracing natural hues. Raised during the Cambodian genocide, Pich’s work often weaves themes of memory, nature, and migration. This piece is no exception. It references the hardwood trees in the garden of the National Museum of Cambodia, whose pods spiral through the air, traveling long distances before settling. These forms serve as a poignant metaphor for human migration and the lasting effects of conflict and displacement. This evocative installation also draws attention to environmental fragility. The trees are threatened by poaching for their valuable timber, reminding us of the delicate balance between human impact and the resilience of nature. Pich’s installation invites reflection on history, movement, and the intricacies of the natural world around us.

“Improvisations in the Park” by Larry Bell

Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed a restful holiday season filled with meaningful moments with friends and family. To kick off the year, we ventured just steps away to Madison Square Park for our first exhibition of 2026: “Improvisations in the Park”, a striking glass installation by New Mexico–based artist Larry Bell. With nearly seventy years of artistic practice, Bell is internationally celebrated for his masterful and innovative use of glass to create captivating minimalist forms. This installation marks his largest outdoor presentation to date and draws inspiration from musical improvisation, inviting viewers to notice how the glass structures shift and transform with changing light, weather, and seasons. As the year unfolds, the work encourages us to slow down, observe closely, and embrace new perspectives. Its message of welcoming change, nuance, and embracing seasonal beauty feels especially fitting as we step into 2026 with curiosity, openness, and renewed creative energy.