Community Board 2 last week unanimously voted to approve the temporary installation of a 6,000-pound bronze apple sculpture in the Hudson River Park just south of Charles St. The sculpture was designed by Stephan Weiss, the late husband of fashion designer Donna Karan, who will pay all the installation and insurance charges. Weiss’s studio is on Charles St.
Connie Fishman, the Hudson River Park Trust’s president, said the sculpture, although 10 ft. tall, won’t block any sightlines to the water because it will be placed in a garden area that was originally intended for a permanent sculpture. Fishman said if the apple draws a positive response the Trust may consider making it permanent.
The apple will be installed in either June or September.
The previous week, the Waterfront Committee of C.B. 2 had voted to support the sculpture, though the board’s Arts Committee generally disapproved of it, but did not end up taking a vote. At last week’s full board meeting, Harriet Fields, the chairperson of the Arts Committee, who allegedly had called the apple “hideous” at the committee meeting, voted to approve of its installation in the park. Queried on her reversal of position, yesterday, Fields, director of the Noho NY business improvement district, referred questions to Jim Smith, C.B. 2’s chairperson.
