Public Art part 2

This is "Large Sad Sphere" by Tom Otterness, part of the 40th anniversary of a temporary public art program in which Parks & Recreation presents 40 installations at parks throughout the five boroughs. "Art in the Parks: Celebrating 40 Years" includes installations by George Rickey and Tony Smith, as well as others such as Tom Otterness, George Sánchez-Calderón, Arthur Simms, Anne Peabody and Minsuk Cho.

The bronze sculpture is right next to a children's playground at 11th and 23rd in Chelsea at part of the Hudson River Park.

Apparently, “Large Sad Sphere” infuses the artist’s distinctive whimsy with a new depth of emotion. “Usually, as parents, we think ‘Oh, give kids happy sculptures all the time,’” says Otterness. “And I think that kids are really touched by having something with real emotion or with a different emotion to acknowledge that sometimes they’re sad.”

Behind the sculpture you can see the new building: 200 Eleventh Avenue, calling itself the first in NYC to offer "ensuite sky garages". I rather fancy that "Large Sad Sphere" is reacting to this!