Finding more tiny life-like treasures in Tompkins Square Park

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The search for Tompkins Square Park's mysterious bronze litter continues. 

Since our first report (here) on the tiny sculptures scattered throughout the park, we've been keeping an eye out for more. 

And we've found about a dozen additional pieces, including a pair of workout gloves, tree bark, a remarkably perfect leaf, peanuts, a bag of chips, a Capri Sun-type juice packet (or possibly a nutcracker?), assorted bottle caps and what appears to be a pile of dog poop.

We're also learning a little more about how the pieces got there, though the identity of the artist — or artists — remains a mystery. 

While photographing the gloves near the calisthenics bars, we spoke with a regular who recalled arriving one day to find the gloves freshly attached to the ground with epoxy. They were still soft and pliable, he said, and could have been moved easily. Over time, they hardened. He estimated that they had appeared a few weeks earlier. 

Meanwhile, one reader shared an intriguing account: 

"My friend saw three (masked) men who seemed to be in their 30s attaching one of the sculptures to the ground the other day. He approached them out of curiosity but they must have thought he was a cop and they all scattered in three different directions! So I think more than one person is behind the art…" 

An anonymous commenter on our original post offered another possible lead, mentioning two artists, a garage in Bushwick and installations dating back roughly two years. 

The commenter also alluded to a possible falling-out between the artists. 

We haven't been able to verify any of those details, but we're certainly curious. 

And we have questions. Lots of questions. Are the pieces cast in bronze? How are they made and attached? Why these particular objects? Are the installations carried out under cover of darkness? Do the artists ever hang around to watch people discover their work?

And what's the story behind that apparent dog poop sculpture? Is that a boot print? A Timberland, perhaps?

We'd also love to hear what the artist or artists think about litter, public spaces and the idea of leaving small, unexpected works of art for people to discover. 

If you're behind these tiny treasures — or know who is — we'd love to hear from you. 

In the meantime, we'll keep looking. There may well be a Part 3.

H/T to eagle-eyed Hot Chocolate Jen. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• The everyday artwork hiding in plain sight in Tompkins Square Park