“N.Y.C. Legend” by Alexander Klingspor

Have you heard Alligators living in the New York City sewers? These creatures have survived urban legend, passed on by kids and adults alike in a tall tale that developed in the early 1920s and never quite died. Fear not, there are no real alligators roaming the New York City sewers (that we know of), but this bit of folklore has stood the test of time and the story continues to be shared.

Swedish Artist Alexander Klingspor pays tribute to this old urban legend in his latest bronze statue “N.Y.C. Legend,” currently on display at Union Square in Manhattan through June 2024. Klingspor’s statue follows the age-old tradition of myth becoming art, bringing to life the classic tale of the New York City Alligators.

Look closely enough at this installation, and you will find some modern touches alongside Klingspor’s alligator. A quarter represents the relic of a society becoming increasingly cashless, a plastic straw represents the growing awareness of plastic wastefulness, and a COVID test container represents what we have recently overcome. The trash left in this Alligator’s sewer is a testament to where New Yorkers have been, and where we are heading.

‘Tis the Season for Holiday Markets

The holidays are officially here, and seasonal markets are popping up throughout the city to spread holiday cheer, delight the culinary senses, and showcase original gifts for everyone on our lists. With roots in the traditional European holiday markets, the Bryant Park Winter Village, the Union Square Holiday Market, and the Columbus Circle Holiday Market are some of the most popular markets in NYC.

The holiday markets are a winter staple in the city, providing small businesses a chance to shine and showcase their artisanal goods and indulging the public with a variety of goods off the beaten track. With something for everyone, the markets are worth the trip, so bundle up, maybe take a spin around the skate rinks, and soak in the holiday spirit!

Earth Day New York 2019

This week the Earth Day Initiative hosted its annual Earth Day New York Festival in Union Square, meant to inspire attendees to make increasingly environmentally-friendly choices. This year’s festival was a special edition of the event — the start of a year-long countdown to Earth Day’s 50th anniversary in 2020. In addition to the dozens of exhibitors, including non-profits, green businesses, kids' activities, and live performances, the outdoor festival featured artists who created works of art — live and on-site — surrounding environmental themes that were inspired by the recent Green New Deal proposal. Among those featured was Molly Egan, a Philadelphia-based artist who, in anticipation of the art installation, said that her artwork depicts “people making more sustainable choices like recycling, composting, replacing plastic water bottles with reusable ones, and eating more environmentally friendly foods.” John Oppermann, Earth Day Initiative’s executive director, emphasized the importance of interactive events like Earth Day New York and noted how important the event has been since its founding in 1970: “That was a time when people really raised their voices and said, ‘We need to do something about these environmental issues.’ A lot of the safeguards we have in place today, we take for granted.” He added: “That is something we should keep in mind…when we see attacks on environmental protections we have now.”

Rose Crystal Tower

We visited world-famous artist Dale Chihuly's exhibition at the Bronx Botanical Gardens last summer and were blown away. So when we saw that he had another glass sculpture in the Union Square Triangle, we had to check it out. The Rose Crystal Tower stands thirty-one-feet tall and is made of Polyvitro crystals and steel. Over his distinguished fifty-year career, Chihuly has become known around the world for his iconic glass sculptures and architectural installations in cities, museums, and gardens. "New York City’s energy, architecture, and rich creative history is formidable and it continues to offer infinite inspiration for artists,” Dale Chihuly says. “I am excited to share my work with the residents and visitors who pass through New York City every year.”