A few months ago I noticed that the Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Circle was being taken over by layers of scaffolding. Figuring it was either another one of NYC’s construction projects or that Chris really needed a bath, I didn’t think much of it until I read an article about an elevated living room being built in Columbus Circle, which certainly upped my level of intrigue.
The non-profit Public Art Fund commissioned Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi to build a penthouse whose central focus is none other than Christopher Columbus himself…(or the fabulous views overlooking the park. Take your pick.)
In an interview with the NY Times, Nishi was asked what attracted him to the Columbus statue. He replied:
“I noticed a lot of public sculptures in New York City are set on a low base, or even without a base, on the ground, compared to the ones in Europe. And I noticed that Columbus is really in a high position. That’s what attracted me. By raising up people’s eyes, you can see things with a different perspective. That’s the important point of it.”
As with anything, the project has its skeptics. The friend I brought along with me to explore mumbled something along the lines of: “Are my tax dollars seriously funding a living room for a statue?!”
The exhibit is free and open to the public, but you must first reserve a timed ticket online and print it out before arriving. (Very important folks, the ticket takers were turning people away who didn’t print tickets out or who came at the wrong time.) It’s a 6 floor walk-up to get to Columbus’s pad, so make sure you bring your walking shoes and leave your fear of heights at home.
The living room itself is bathed in pink wallpaper featuring images of Elvis Presley, The Empire State Building, and Marilyn Monroe, to name a few. You can sit on one of the couches and watch TV, flip through a magazine, or even pull a novel off Columbus’s shelf and give it a read. There were a few budding artists sketching the statue when I went, and others (ahem, me) enjoying the bright lights from the taxis and Time Warner Center. How I do love a room with a view.
WHAT: Tatzu Nishi discovering columbus
WHERE: Right in the middle of Columbus Circle…you can’t miss it!
WHEN: The exhibit is open until November 18th, 2012.
Jessica Tiare Bowen lives in the juicy Big Apple with her adorable pink-nosed chihuahua, Gillman. He’s the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “Park Avenue Pound Puppy.” The book is the combined result of her two greatest passions: pooches and penning stories.
Her passions include art, urban hikes through Manhattan, drinking coffee with 3 creams and 6 sugars, making extremely detailed itineraries and traveling to far away places, singing along to Broadway shows, Netflix movie nights, discovering incredible treasures at Goodwill and thrift stores, and listening to stories from little people under 7 and big people over 70.
She started her career as New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching elementary school and theater arts at a special education school in the South Bronx for 6 years. She is now a Special Education School Improvement Specialist working in public schools throughout New York City. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the online New York City travel magazine, Used York City. The magazine focuses on finding the best of New York…as used by New Yorkers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an ASPCA Ambassador.
