Monday, June 2, 2025 – TIME TO ENJOY OUTDOOR ART IN MANY LOCATIONS

By admin

Must-See Art Installations in NYC, June 2025

Monday, June 2, 20-25
Untapped New York
Nicole Saraniero
Issue #1460

One of the best ways to enjoy the warmer weather in New York City is to get outside and see some art and attend art-related events! This June, you’ll find larger-than-life flowers, a museum on wheels, a celebration of pigeons, and more:

“Irises on Yellow Columns” by Graphic Rewinding at Van Gogh’s Flowers, Courtesy of New York Botanical Garden

The iconic van Gogh paintings of irises and sunflowers come to life in this year’s summer exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden. Flourishing floral displays and large-scale interactive artworks fully immerse you in van Gogh’s timeless masterpieces. Learn more about the exhibit from one of the artists who worked on it, here!

The city’s biggest pop-up photography event will hit all five boroughs this June! Photoville returns for its 14th year with over 80 international exhibits that highlight the work of photographers from right here in New York City and nations across the globe. The photo festival’s signature shipping container galleries will be on view at Brooklyn Bridge Park while satellite exhibits can be seen at Barretto Point Park, Bella Abzug Park, the Seaport, Alice Austen House, and many other locations. One special exhibit to look out for is Early Distant Warning. It features large photographs frozen in large ice blocks that will gradually melt throughout the day to reveal Louie Palu’s photographs of the Arctic. See it at Brooklyn Bridge Park on June 7th from 1:30-7pm!

Did you know there is a National Pigeon Appreciation Day?! Well, the High Line is celebrating with Pigeon Fest, in honor of Iván Argote’s 17-foot-tall aluminum pigeon sculpture Dinosaur currently on view at the Spur. This full-day festival will feature free public programming including pigeon-themed carnival games, family-friendly art workshops, a Pigeon Impersonation Pageant, panel discussions, and a concert presented in collaboration with the Birdsong Project

The winding pathway of this living installation provides opportunities for play, learning, self-reflection, and ecological awakening. Created by artist Lily Kwong in collaboration with the Madison Square Park Conservancy,Gardens of Renewal “explores the ecological potential of the built environment while underscoring the political urgency of the climate crisis.” In the Meditation Garden, visitors follow a spiral path surrounded by gorgeous flowers, herbs, and other native plants, with endangered and rare specimens at the center. On Sparrow Lawn, the Children’s Garden offers a library, stage, and play structures that promote adventure, creativity, and ecological awareness.

The installation is accompanied by a series of conversations, performances, and educational programming for children of all ages. QR codes scattered throughout the gardens offer supplemental digital materials, including an illustrated field guide plant list, a meditation, and a customized playlist.

 14th Street Busway, between Broadway and University Place, Union Square

New York-based visual artist Yuke Li has transformed a bland busway into a vibrant 7,500-square-foot mural. Union Square Partnership’s fifth annual street mural was completed with the help of volunteers who spent five days bringing Li’s vision to life. Turning Point “honors Union Square’s role as a place that facilitates the movement of people, whether gathering, dispersing, or embarking on new journeys.” This movement and flow are represented by retro-inspired abstract shapes painted in bright colors.

Courtesy of The Soloviev Foundation

Freedom Plaza
 Open through July 31st
 Free, reservation required

Monumental 20-foot screens have taken over six acres of land on Manhattan’s east side next to the United Nations. This photography and video project takes an optimistic approach to the future of America on the occasion of our nation’s 250th anniversary. Spread out along a winding path, viewers will uncover the stories of over fifty everyday Americans captured on film by award-winning local filmmaker and photographer Daniella Vale. Each subject shares their thoughts on liberty, democracy, and what it means to be American.

PRIDE EXHIBIT OPENS AT RIVAA 

FEATURING WORKS BY 23 ARTISTS
OPEN THRU THE MONTH 
(CHECK FOR DATES)

THOM HEYER INTRODUCES THE PARTICIPATING ARTISTS AT OPENING ON SUNDAY.

CREDITS

UNTAPPED NEW YORK 
NICOLE SARANIERO
JUDITH BERDY

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.

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