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Read the press release here.

8-Story Sculpture Inspired by Hudson River Coming to 57th Street

By Maya Rajamani | February 11, 2016 3:42pm
 The Durst Organization commissioned Stephen Glassman to create a sculpture for its VIA 57 development at 625 W. 57th St.
Hudson River-Inspired Sculpture
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HELL’S KITCHEN — An artist who wanted to transform Los Angeles billboards into elevated bamboo gardens is creating an eight-story, Hudson River-inspired sculpture for a West Side high-rise.

The Durst Organization, which is putting the final touches on its pyramid-shaped development VIA 57 at 625 W. 57th St., has commissioned artist Stephen Glassman to create a 3,600-square-foot sculpture that will hang on the developer's’s Helena building at 601 W. 57th St., across from VIA 57's main entrance. 

“The history of sculpture and skyscraper in New York City is unique and powerful and I’m honored to be working with the Dursts and Bjarke Ingels Group on this project,” Glassman said in a statement.

“As a New York native, the movement to save the Hudson River was formative in my growth as an artist intent on creating works of scale and social impact."

The sculpture, to be called “Flow Two Ways,” gets its title from the Native American name for the Hudson — Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk, or “the river that flows both ways,” the release said.

The sculpture, which will be installed in March ahead of VIA 57’s opening, will be composed of multicolored metal tubing meant to look like a running river, according to the release.

“Transforming with the sun’s changing angles, the artwork mimics the Hudson’s glow at sunset,” the release said.

“The sculpture’s palette, derived through color studies by and referencing the historic Hudson River School, imbues 57 West with an organic counterpoint to the steel and glass built environment.”

Via 57, a mixed use and residential building, launched the application process for one of its 142 affordable apartment units in the fall.