Art to Bring New York Plaza Back to the Public

In an effort to reclaim a public plaza at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge that was demolished in the 1960s by Robert Moses, artist Brian Tolle is reconstructing the statues that once adorned the plaza.

1 minute read

March 14, 2009, 7:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"Just in time for the bridge's 100th birthday, artist Brian Tolle is busy rectifying this unhappy situation."

"'It is becoming a new kind of public space,' Tolle said, wearing black overalls and a scarf in his chilly Williamsburg studio. 'When Robert Moses demolished the plaza in the 60s, I think the attitude was that art got in the way of progress.'"

"In 2007, Tolle won a Design Award from New York City and with it the commission to create a permanent installation at the bridge -- a work that should help reclaim the area for human beings."

"Tolle is constructing near-replicas of a pair of sculptures by Daniel Chester French. The allegorical figures representing Manhattan and Brooklyn in female form sat at the bridge's entrance from 1916 until 1963."

FULL STORY: Art, People Triumph Over Traffic in $23 Million Brooklyn Rehab

Thursday, March 12, 2009 in Bloomberg

Land Use New York Robert Moses New York City Public Art Brooklyn Bridges Plazas View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.