"Battery Park City and the Authority are not just about the buildings – it’s about the character of the community that has developed over time. Public space has had a new renaissance in New York City, but here in Battery Park City is where it started."
Artschwager’s installation consists of five separate pieces situated at the junction of West Thames Street and the Esplanade. At the center is a street lamp shrunken to squat proportions, surrounded by a wooden armature imitating its crown and girded by an upraised circular bench and table. A second circular seating area resembles an enlarged tree grating. The ensemble is completed by a throne-like seat made of granite, and a pair of reclining, slatted wooden deck chairs. Together, these works transform their cul-de-sac into an eccentric public recreation deck and mark a witty reflection of their urban environment.
