Miniature New York Model and Giant Buddha on High Line
A meticulously crafted 50-foot wooden model of New York City by Joe Macken is now permanently displayed at the Museum of the City of New York. This creation, inspired by the 1964 World Fair model at the Queens Museum, took Macken 22 years to complete, beginning in his 40s. In a related artistic endeavor, sculptor Tuan Andrew Nguyen unveiled a grand Buddha sculpture named 'The Light That Shines Through the Universe' on the High Line, utilizing Afghan brass and Vietnamese sandstone to honor the lost Bamiyan Buddhas. The newsletter also highlights reviews of MoMA PS1's 'Greater New York,' the new Brooklyn co-working space The Gallery, and exhibitions by Mark Milroy and Kim Gordon. Other events include AIPAD's photography show, El Museo del Barrio's symposium, and various screenings and talks across the city.
Key facts
- Joe Macken's 50-foot wood replica of New York City is on long-term view at the Museum of the City of New York.
- Macken spent 22 years building the miniature model by hand.
- Tuan Andrew Nguyen's 'The Light That Shines Through the Universe' is installed on the High Line.
- Nguyen's sculpture uses Afghan brass and Vietnamese sandstone.
- The work references the destroyed Bamiyan Buddhas.
- MoMA PS1's 'Greater New York' survey is reviewed by Hrag Vartanian, Hakim Bishara, Lisa Yin Zhang, and Rhea Nayyar.
- The Gallery is a new experimental artist-run exhibition and co-working space in Brooklyn.
- Mark Milroy's 'JUMBO' is reviewed by John Yau at JJ Murphy.
- Kim Gordon's 'Count Your Chickens' is reviewed by Natalie Haddad at Amant.
- AIPAD's photography show was held at the Park Avenue Armory.
- Storefront for Art and Architecture hosts 'Black Fire!' with a listening session and performance on April 28 and 30.
- El Museo del Barrio hosts a symposium on Sophie Rivera on May 1.
- Green-Wood Cemetery holds its first MoonFest on May 1.
- Jane's Walk 2026 runs from May 1 to 3.
- Cathedral of St. John the Divine hosts a blessing of bicycles on May 2.
- Galerie Lelong hosts a conversation on Ficre Ghebreyesus on May 2.
- Haiti Cultural Exchange hosts a talk on 'What Paper Remembers' on May 2.
- The New School screens 'Ghost in the Machine' on May 2.
- New Museum teams up with Metrograph for screenings on May 3 and 6.
- Cecilia Dougherty screens video portraits at Parkside Lounge on May 5.
Entities
Artists
- Joe Macken
- Tuan Andrew Nguyen
- Mark Milroy
- Kim Gordon
- Sophie Rivera
- Ficre Ghebreyesus
- Cecilia Dougherty
- Eileen Myles
- Hrag Vartanian
- Hakim Bishara
- Lisa Yin Zhang
- Rhea Nayyar
- John Yau
- Natalie Haddad
- Monica Uszerowicz
- Aaron Short
- Isa Farfan
- Lowery Stokes Sims
- Lia Gangitano
- Jorge Mazzinghi
Institutions
- Museum of the City of New York
- Queens Museum
- High Line
- MoMA PS1
- The Gallery
- JJ Murphy
- Amant
- AIPAD
- Park Avenue Armory
- Storefront for Art and Architecture
- El Museo del Barrio
- Green-Wood Cemetery
- Municipal Art Society of New York
- Cathedral of St. John the Divine
- Galerie Lelong
- Haiti Cultural Exchange
- The New School
- New Museum
- Metrograph
- Parkside Lounge
- Participant Inc
- Hyperallergic
Locations
- New York City
- Queens
- Brooklyn
- High Line
- Park Avenue Armory
- Fort Greene
- Buenos Aires
- Argentina