While on our daily constitutional to take our minds off the ever-changing nuances of immigration law, we came across the brand-new installation at the High Line Plinth. Towering over the High Line Spur stands Tuan Andrew Nguyen’s “The Light That Shines Through the Universe,” a twenty-seven-foot-tall figure in the image of the Bamiyan Buddhas, two incredible statues in central Afghanistan that were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 in an attempt to erase the history of religious and cultural congruence in the region. Nguyen’s piece references the iconic sculptures both in form and name, taking the name for his creation from the translation of the nickname for the buddhas coined by local Afghani communities, “Salsal.” Despite these remarkable similarities, Nguyen’s intention is not replication but reincarnation. The sculpture’s radiant gold hands, hovering just beyond the body of the sculpture, symbolize healing and empathy, a way to move forward despite loss.

Although we will miss Iván Argote’s pigeon sculpture “Dinosaur” which guarded the walkway and Tenth Avenue below for the past year and a half, Nguyen’s piece is a poignant reminder of the power of art and memory, and of the importance of nurturing forgotten narratives whenever possible.

Photos by Laura Romig

Seeking a new landscape within the bounds of New York City, this week we ventured to Roosevelt Island, a narrow strip of land nestled between Manhattan and Queens. While the island is known for its striking views and the Four Freedoms Park at its southern tip, which honors President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our visit was inspired by a more recent addition: “Camouflage”, a new work by Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, and a part of the Art X Freedom public art initiative. Unveiled on September 10, 2025, to mark both the 80th United Nations General Assembly across the East River and the anniversary of the end of World War II, Weiwei’s installation reimagines the space surrounding the existing bronze sculpture of Roosevelt, building a pavilion that incorporates animal motifs. These elements are a nod to both the island’s historical and current wildlife and the toll of human conflict. Adding an interactive layer to the experience, visitors are invited to tie ribbons inscribed with their thoughts on freedom to the pavilion’s netting, transforming the piece over time, one ribbon at a time. “Camouflage” is a moving and immersive tribute to both its setting and enduring themes of humanity and resistance. By blending memory, environment, and participation, it creates a powerful and evolving reflection on what freedom means today.