[Updated] The Cube returns to Astor Place — and ready to spin again

The Cube (aka Alamo) is back on Astor Place (as of last night) after spending the past two-plus months in the shop — not to mention an art fair.

Dave Petrie, the director of creator Tony Rosenthal's estate, told the Times that the Cube got a new weatherproof spinning mechanism via Versteeg Art Fabricators in Bethany, Conn., "that should keep it turning for 20 years or so."

From there, it went by truck to the art fair in the Hamptons, where some attendees did double-takes. "They can't believe they’re seeing the real 'Alamo,'" Petrie said. "They think they're seeing a new sculpture. Five coats of paint." It had even been painted inside, he said.

Just after midnight on May 8, workers whisked away the Cube from Astor Place for repairs. It had been out of commission with structural damage since December 2021. At the time, we were told that the spinning mechanism for the Cube, which manually rotates around a pole hidden in its center, was not working. 

However, before returning to its Astor Place home of 56 years, the sculpture appeared in the Hamptons, where Rosenthal (1914–2009) lived and worked. (Rosenthal's estate picked up the estimated repair bill of $100,000.)

Dan's Papers said the Cube was in Southampton for the Hamptons Fine Art Fair from July 10-16.

City officials are expected to officially unveil the refurbished Alamo at some point today. 

Updated 10 a.m.

City officials and the Tony Rosenthal Art Estate unveiled the newly restored Cube in a short ceremony this morning (thanks to Steven for the photos)...