The Jewish Museum on Manhattan’s Upper East Side has proposed a vibrant, multi-story mural to be installed at the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 92nd Street. The neon blue artwork was designed by Lawrence Weiner in 2011 and reads “All the stars in the sky have the same face,” in Hebrew, Arabic, and English lettering.
Located at 1109 Fifth Avenue, the Jewish Museum was originally constructed as a private single-family home know as Warburg Mansion. The structure was completed in 1908 by architect Charles Pierrepont Henry Gilbert, often abbreviated as C. P. H. Gilbert. The home was commissioned by Jewish philanthropist Felix M. Warburg and sits directly across from Central Park.
The Jewish Museum was established within Warburg Mansion in 1947 and designated a New York City landmark in 1981.
Historic photo of the Jewish Museum (Courtesy of the Jewish Museum)
Existing conditions at the Jewish Museum (Courtesy of the Jewish Museum)
While the proposed mural is a stark departure from the structure’s ornate French Renaissance façade, its temporary nature and positive message is a selling point for the ruling members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission who must sign off on construction despite existing DOB approvals.
To support the temporary artwork, submitted proposals specify the installation of temporary bracket channels and steel anchors that will be drilled into the limestone façade. Galvanized steel brackets will then be hung from the anchors and hooked into the polyester mesh mural banner.
Illustrations of proposed banner at the Jewish Museum; vantage point from 92nd Street (Courtesy of the Jewish Museum)
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Normal situation on the development, and it’s beautiful mural of all appearances: Thank you.
a foolhardy, nonsensical idea, illustrated by an appropriately illogical rendering.
Oh No!
Once the hangers are in place there will be a perpetual rotation of ‘temporary’ banners hanging there, just like the banner/advertisements down the street at The Met.
Please show respect for the architecture by not obliterating the features of this handsome building, and it’s sensitive addition.
This stretch of upper Fifth Avenue is overwhelmingly residential, and this ‘billboard’ is out of place in this context, and as a discordant intrusion viewed from the park.
Let’s hope Landmarks executes its responsibility to protect the city from this frivolity.
I couldn’t agree more. Nice sentiment, tacky and dull “artwork”. More appropriate as a t-shirt or canvas carry bag.
The design of this mural is very garish and not in keeping with the building or neighborhood. I think they can get the message across in a more graphically beautiful way, and more in keeping with the character of the building and neighborhood.
How garish, even if only temporary, to ruin the facade of that beautiful building. It will be an eyesore that disrupts the tranquility and charm of the neighborhood.
It reminds me of that humongous electronic billboard that defaced the interior of Grand Central Station for decades, before people came to their senses and removed it, restoring the original beauty of the architecture.
Please, reconsider this.
The facade of your museum is not only historic but elegant—in its scale and architectural detailing. Why would you even consider blighting it with anything—art or otherwise—that would diminish its majestic impact? And what purpose would this artwork serve?
The image you’ve supplied shows lines of people on the sidewalk. . . where that object would not be visible. Nor would it be to anyone in a car, taxi or limo hurtling down Fifth Ave. Thus it would serve no practical purpose. My question: why go to bat for something that would rarely be actually looked at and doesn’t really reflect your institution’s purpose or tradition of showcasing excellence?
Please, in the name of historical preservation you dare not desecrate and permanently damage this period piece of American architecture!
“Stark departure” has got to be the understatement of the year. Will New York really let this happen?
If this was a vote, mine would be No Way!
It seems that all the observations about damaging the so beautiful building’s facade, are corrects.
just checking back…
is it dead yet?
updates?