Discover Wink: The Charming Penguin Statue of Jackson Heights, Queens

Unearth the charm of Jackson Heights, Queens, with Wink, the adorable penguin statue. Located at Elmjack Mall, this quirky city sight adds a touch of whimsy to the urban scene while playing a crucial role in traffic safety.

@cafedumonde Discovering the adorable quirks in the heart of Jackson Heights, Queens. Nestled within a grassy patch at the bustling intersection of 37th Road and 74th Street, a charming penguin statue guards the Elmjack Mall. Far from being just a delightful sight, this small figure plays a crucial role in traffic safety, poised to take on any potential impact. Located near the busy Roosevelt Avenue IRT elevated station, this hidden gem adds a touch of whimsy to the urban scene. • • • #JacksonHeights #Queens #PenguinStatue #ElmjackMall #UrbanExploration #QuirkyCitySights ♬ original sound - A.G. Millington

A delightful surprise awaits urban explorers in the heart of Jackson Heights, Queens. Amidst the hustle and bustle of 37th Road and 74th Street, a charming penguin statue named Wink stands guard at the Elmjack Mall. This whimsical figure, far from being just a delightful sight, plays a crucial role in traffic safety, ready to absorb any potential impact.

Wink is located near the busy Roosevelt Avenue IRT elevated station, adding a touch of whimsy to the urban scene. This small, yet significant figure has become a beloved landmark in the neighborhood, a symbol of the unique charm that Jackson Heights has to offer.

Wink's presence serves as a reminder that amidst the urban jungle, there's always room for a bit of fun and imagination. So, the next time you find yourself in Queens, be sure to pay a visit to this charming sentinel of the city streets."

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"Discovering Columbus": New Nishi Art Installation Above Columbus Circle

Nishi's Design for the Living Room

Today in the New York Times there is an article about the art installation at Columbus Circle by Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi. The project, entitled "Discovering Columbus" is sponsored by the Public Art Fund. The New York Times article is worth reading for it explains the various bureaucratic hoops projects like this must go through in order to get greenlit — a process, the article implies, made easier by Mayor Bloomberg's enthusiasm for public art displays.

Evidently, people will be able to enter a specially made structure built around the statue of Christopher Columbus, completely enclosing it inside of a living room complete with sofas and TV (no wifi).

Nishi had done something similar in Basel, Switzerland. He built a temporary apartment on top of the cathedral church in Basel enclosed around a bronze weather vane of an angel:

I am curious to see what the finished room built above the traffic of Columbus Circle will look like.

A similar idea is mentioned in the aforementioned article but I will repeat it: I think projects like this help us to see familiar things in an unfamiliar way. Is that not what art is?

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