Noa Bornstein’s “Peace Gorilla,” a bronze gorilla sculpture, greets and high-fives park goers along the esplanade of Newtown Barge Park in Greenpoint. Peace’s arm extends toward the United Nations building across the East River, while she stands on a concrete base inscribed with the word for ‘friend’ in 90 languages—beginning with the six official languages of the UN. Bornstein’s work promotes peace between humans, with visitors welcomed and encouraged to touch, high-five, and engage with the sculpture. “Peace Gorilla” is an edition of seven, with the artist imagining one on each continent. Interestingly, Peace is not the only bronze gorilla sculpture to ever grace New York City–in 2020, “King Nyani” was on view in Hudson Yards, a sculpture which was an homage to critically endangered mountain gorillas in the wild and the largest bronze gorilla statue in the world. Surely Peace and King Nyani would make great friends. Ms. Bornstein says that Peace Gorilla “continues to invite us to make friends and peace with each other, and with hers and other species.”

Shining in the sun, a massive, metal globe stands beside a silver jack, from the children’s game jacks, with crossed arms attached to the center spoke. The sculpture forms a giant “XO” in front of One World Trade Center. The sculpture by Daniel Anderson, called “XO World,” is part of the XO World Project, an initiative that aims to “encourage people of all ages to lend their voice and take action to advance the causes of peace, love and inclusion worldwide.” The artist says that he was inspired by “children and their open acceptance of others. A child’s mind and heart are free of prejudice regardless of race, gender, or religion,” an attitude that Anderson hopes will spread. Standing on the site of the tragedy of 9/11, the placement of the sculpture is evocative, adding an extra layer of pathos to the statue promoting peace and understanding. The shining sculpture sends a powerful message to anyone who sees it.