Jorge Colombo is the cover artist... you can read a short Q&A with him here.
His first Cube-related prokect came about in 1999...
Showing posts with label Alamo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alamo. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
When the Cube returned to Astor Place late Monday night
Photos by Lawrence Lee
The Cube (aka Alamo) is back in working (spinning) order on Astor Place after being away for two-plus months for repairs and refurbishment.
Versteeg Art Fabricators in Bethany, Conn., put in a new weatherproof spinning mechanism and added a few coats of paint (and in record time). After a visit to Southampton for the Hamptons Fine Art Fair this past week (Alamo creator Tony Rosenthal lived and worked in the Hamptons), the Cube returned to Astor Place, its home since 1967.
Just as the sculpture was whisked away late at night back in May... the return followed the same MO to avoid daytime pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
Lawrence Lee shared these photos of its arrival a little after 11 p.m. on Monday when a crew from Mariano Brothers Specialty Moving — the Bethel, Conn.-based specialists in rigging and installing museum and art pieces — delivered the Cube and helped put it back in place with the help of a team from Versteeg Art Fabricators.
The Cube 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.
Rosenthal's estate picked up the estimated repair bill of $100,000.
Previous repairs to the Cube took place in 2005 and 2016, though it was away longer than this 2023 trip to the shop.
Photo below from yesterday by EVG
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
[Updated] The Cube returns to Astor Place — and ready to spin again
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.
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)...
Thursday, May 18, 2023
The Cube will return to Astor Place this summer — but not before a spin to the Hamptons
Just after midnight on May 8, workers whisked away the Cube (aka Alamo) from Astor Place for repairs, with an expected return mid-summer.
As previously reported (first by THE CITY), the 1,800-pound Cube was going to Bethany, Conn., for restoration by Versteeg Art Fabricators.
The Cube 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 will be making a guest appearance in the Hamptons, where its creator, Tony Rosenthal (1914–2009), lived and worked. (Rosenthal's estate is picking up the estimated repair bill of $100,000.)
According to Dan's Papers, the Cube is headed to Southampton for the Hamptons Fine Art Fair, which takes place in July.
Per the publication:
The restored Alamo will be on display from July 10-16. Rosenthal is being inducted posthumously into the fair's Hall of Fame, so the city's commissioners voted unanimously to loan the historical piece to commemorate the occasion.
Hamptonites may also be familiar with the similar spinning steel Rosenthal sculpture, "Cube 72," which was made in 1972 and found a prominent spot outside Guild Hall in East Hampton.Hamptons Fine Art Fair founder and Executive Director Rick Friedman says securing the massive piece was no easy feat. "To get this loan from New York City is outrageous," he said. "It's like getting the Statue of Liberty," Friedman added, pointing out that negotiations took about a year, with a lot of back and forth, an army of lawyers and piles of paperwork.But, he said, it was worth the effort.
Given its VIP reception out east, the Cube will likely not return home via the Jitney.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
On Astor Place, the cube will BRB to spin again
As previously reported (first by THE CITY), the 1,800-pound cube is off to Bethany, Conn., for restoration by Versteeg Art Fabricators — a firm that also restored the cube in 2005.they stole the Astor Place cube! #NewYorkCity pic.twitter.com/hbypJzFgss
— g 🦅 (@aworldaIone) May 9, 2023
The cube had been out of commission with structural damage since late 2021. The barricades first arrived around the cube in December 2021, before the city removed them in late April 2022. 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.
Tony Rosenthal's sculpture first arrived here in November 1967.
And Rosenthal's estate is picking up the estimated repair bill of $100,000.
From the Times:
Dave Petrie, the director of Rosenthal’s estate, said he was "concerned about the state of disrepair" the cube had fallen into..."The thesis was, we want to do this," he said. "The cost wasn't the issue. We want Tony's legacy to live on."
Friday, March 17, 2023
Report: The Astor Place cube will be ready for a spin once more this summer
The Astor Place cube (aka Alamo), out of commission with structural damage since late 2021 (first noted here), will reportedly by spin-worthy again by July 17.
According to The City, there's a proposal from the Department of Transportation in the works.
The plan, which is slated to go before the city's Public Design Commission on Monday for approval, would see the 1,800-pound cube temporarily removed next month and shipped to Bethany, Conn., for restoration by Versteeg Art Fabricators — a firm that also did restorative work to the cube in 2005.Their proposal calls for fixing the spinning mechanism and reinforcing and repairing the base of the East Village piece by early July.
The barricades first arrived around the cube in December 2021, before the city removed them in late April 2022. 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. A DOT spokesperson previously told us that they didn't have a timeline for repairing the spinning component.
Monday, January 2, 2023
On Astor Place, a yearn to spin again
The city removed the barricades from around the cube in late April 2022. At the time, we were told that the spinning mechanism for the 1,800-pound cube, which manually rotates around a pole hidden in its center, was not working. A DOT spokesperson previously told us that they didn't have a timeline for repairing the spinning component.
The Post had a follow-up on this yesterday. A spokesperson basically said the same thing, that the "DOT is planning a repair to restore the Cube to its original, spinning condition." And: "We'd love to see it so people can spin it again. That's what Tony wanted — he wanted it to be enjoyed and not to be put in a cradle."
Tony Rosenthal's sculpture first arrived here in November 1967.
Previously on EV Grieve:
• Spin city: The Alamo remains out of commission on Astor Place (May 6, 2022)
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