In celebration of New York Art Week, we explored the latest art installations in the Hudson Yards and Flatiron neighborhoods.

Our first stop was Roberto Lugo’s exhibition “Alfarero del Barrio” or “village potter,” which consists of a larger-than-life orange fire hydrant and a twenty-foot-tall urn, both carved from milled foam. Together, these works celebrate the artist’s Puerto Rican heritage and invite viewers to engage directly with a culture that has a vibrant and enduring presence in New York City.

We then stopped by Hudson Yards to see Brendan Murphy’s newest installation “Love Matters Everywhere,” which features a 12-foot reflective teddy bear, named “Loretta,” and sitting on a nearby bench, a masked astronaut. Murphy explores the complexity and beauty of the human experience, asking onlookers to look directly at themselves as they admire his sculptural work.

Just across the street, we cooled off by the fountains and took in Giangaetano Patane’s “The Last Five Fish in the Sea,” an installation of five terracotta fish, swimming at the base of the fountain’s pool. An intimate and simple portrayal of the sea, Patane’s work offers a calming respite in the middle of Manhattan.

With great art all around, we hope you get a chance to check out some of the ongoing exhibitions and installations!

With its commitment to bringing contemporary art to all via public spaces, strolling through the High Line is a wonderful way to not only get our steps in but also to catch an array of ever-changing art installations. One of the newest additions along the High Line is a colorful, whimsical mural strategically painted on a building facing the High Line on 22nd Street stating “Thank You Darling” in bubble letters by Lily Van Der Stokker.

Ms. Van Der Stokker, who hails from the Netherlands, is known for using a confectioner’s pastel color scheme in her artwork to depict elements traditionally thought of as feminine such as clouds, flowers, and swirls as the backdrop to convey short messages like "Thank You Darling." Van Der Stokker’s work, which has been referred to as “feminist conceptual pop art,” is meant to be cheery but also aims to spark conversations regarding feminism and womanhood. "Thank You Darling" brings a moment of gratitude and joy to all who pass by it, serving as a delightful reminder to pause and take a moment of appreciation amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy city!