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Cathedral of St. John the Divine Commissions 50,000 Glass Ginkgo Leaves for Homelessness Awareness

exhibition · 2026-05-26

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights, New York, has commissioned UNSEEN, a site-specific installation by glass artist Nisha Bansil, opening June 30. The work consists of over 50,000 cast-glass ginkgo leaves cascading down stone steps in the nave, symbolizing both forest floor and urban sidewalk. Created at the Corning Museum of Glass Studio Casting Center in Corning, NY, the pile will grow over the installation's run. Bansil, based in New York and the Catskills, aims to raise awareness and honor unhoused individuals in NYC, inspired by her experience living in the woods before moving to the city.

Key facts

  • Installation titled UNSEEN
  • Artist: Nisha Bansil
  • Venue: Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Morningside Heights, NYC
  • Opening date: June 30
  • More than 50,000 cast-glass ginkgo leaves
  • Leaves cascade down stone steps in the nave
  • Created at Corning Museum of Glass Studio Casting Center in Corning, NY
  • Addresses NYC housing crisis and homelessness

Entities

Artists

  • Nisha Bansil

Institutions

  • Cathedral of St. John the Divine
  • Corning Museum of Glass

Locations

  • New York City
  • United States
  • Morningside Heights
  • Catskills
  • Corning
  • New York

Sources