Figurative Sculpture: "Playground" - NY, NY

Interesting Places I've Photographed

"Playground"

New York, NY

Topic: Figurative Sculpture

Playground by Thomas Otterness

GPS: N40° 45.650; W073° 59.898

Quick Description: 

"Playground" is the title of the giant cartoon man sculpture which doubles as a playground slide. It is located in a small playground park set between huge apartment towers on W. 41st Street between 11th and 12th Avenues in Manhattan.

Long Description:

A small public park between the very upscale twin 50-storey luxury Silver Towers apartment buildings has become a destination venue for the toddler set of the west side of Manhattan. This is no ordinary slide. It is actually a giant 30' long by 28' wide by 8' high whimsical interactive sculpture by well-known sculptor Tom Otterness which is entitled simply "Playground".

A round-headed bronze figure is wearing a cone cap and sitting on the artificial turf with his legs straight out and his arm outstretched. The legs serve as the slides which are reached by ladders which double as the characters thighs. The right arm is also a slide which is reached by a ladder leading up to the neck. The remainder is pure sculpture, with torso, left arm head, and cap completing the figure. Look for miniature figures hiding among the crevices of the sculpture.

Tom Otterness created six copies of this sculpture in 2007. Private copies have been reported to sell for 1.2 million dollars.

Name: Playground Figure Type: Fantasy creature Artist Name: Tom Otterness Date created or placed: 2007 Materials used: bronze Location: West 41Street between 11th and 12th Avenues in Manhattan