Readers of the PiercingMetal.com website might recall a not too long ago concert report for the band Renaissance in which the band performed outside on a hot Summer night down at Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City.  While a little unbearable under the setting sun, the night was a wonderful one in the end and the adventure down to the actual concert something entirely different and interesting in its own right. The reason for this was based on our discovery of another public art installation by Tom Otterness, the American sculptor whose work really shines in my humble opinion. We had explored the artists work after another concert with his “Life Underground” pieces that are set up under the streets of NYC on the 14th Street & 8th Avenue subway line.  Interested folks can click that link to check out the full views and images captured for that experience and we cannot recommend enough that you check this out but totally watch your step as you wander the platform.  Anyway, while heading down into the actual park where the stage was set up, we found the installation of what is called “The Real World”.  The display was commissioned of the artist in 1986 and installed in 1992 and oddly enough I never even knew about it since I rarely get down to this part of the city and the parks.  I guess I need to change that course of action since I am usually finding amazing things to share with the world.  Anyhow, this installation is a fascinating one and is set up around a beautiful playground area.  I photographed a number of the pieces as I wandered down to the show for your visual enjoyment.  Read on.

The first piece we see is a couple of monkeys and apparently a mother and her baby based on the bottle that is visible in the hand of the larger one.  I love the derby’s.

I’m actually wrong, as the piece above is at the entrance walkway to the playground area while this guardian monkey is ready to welcome you down into the fun.

Continue reading Tom Otterness’ “Real World”: A Public Art Display →