Playing in the 'Real World', a photo from New York, Northeast

Photographer's Note

Good Morning Everyone,

Much better seen in large format.

I remember taking this photograph and thinking what a wonderful place for children to play and excite their imaginations. (You will notice, there are tiny sculptures on these bigger pieces.)
But ... it has taken me quite a while to locate it, with information from the Internet.

I finally tracked it down as being The Real World, in Rockafeller Park, Lower Manhatten.

'The park combines views of the Hudson River and Statue of Liberty, a waterfront promenade, a wide green lawn and an open air permanently installed art exhibition, that is open year around and is free for everybody.
The Real World, by American Sculptor Tom Otterness, is an odd little universe installed in 1992. Otterness is best known to New Yorkers for his 2002 Life Underground installation, which is located in the 14th Street Eighth Avenue New York City Subway station on the A C E L services. Tom has completed major outdoor commissions not only in US, but in Canada, Germany and the Netherlands.

The Real World in Nelson A. Rockefeller park is one of the Otterness's earliest public art works. In 1990 New York Times wrote : "With his commission for the north park of Battery Park City, Tom Otterness has reached a new plateau. The opportunity to make sculptures for children and adults to live with in a public space has helped him focus the playful, sinister and allegorical impulses of his work".

These children were loving every minute of their time in the park, playing on the sculptures! (This is only a small part of the bronze sculptures on offer but it is where the children were playing.)

Thank you for your interest; keep safe, Bev :-)

holmertz, ikeharel, PaulVDV, jhm, pierrefonds, ChrisJ, Fis2, PiotrF, papagolf21, ktanska, worldcitizen, adramad oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (92852) 2020-11-03 1:03

Hello Bev,
We are neighbours on the site today, and with photos with slightly similar motives. Very slightly... But this one is very much more charming, showing the small children having fun with an interesting sculpture, which was made to be enjoyed and smiled at. It's always wonderful to watch children play, and along with the young man on the bench they also bring some bright colours to the photo.
It's a very nice photo, so I'm astonished you didn't post this years ago.
Kind regards,
Gert

PaulVDV (54853) 2020-11-03 1:58

Hello Beverley,
Remains of an ancient civilization in Lower Manhattan?
In that case no one should have walked on it.
Was there more of the body than the feet? Then the park was probably too small for this giant.
You also show us here a nice mix of the contemporary population of NYC.
Best regards, Paul

ikeharel (105901) 2020-11-03 1:59

Hello Beverley,
Young childern always curious, wherever they live and grow-up.
Charming picture, they look so busy and interested.
Have a nice new day,
Ike

Silvio1953 (205719) 2020-11-03 2:23

Ciao cara Bev, nice scene with lgreat food and cute boys, splendid light, excellent clarity and wonderful natural colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jhm (203003) 2020-11-03 5:05

Hello Bev,

A summer picture with the kids play on the feet of the bronze statues
I think the mother has the children under control.
You are a woman, but I take never pictures with children, to dangerous in Belgium through the history in past.
An excellent panorama image with also depth sight.
Sharpness and clarity are superb
Very well done, TFS.

Kindest regards,
John.

pierrefonds (103537) 2020-11-03 5:28

Hi Bev,

You have captured well the children playing aroun the sculptures. The point of view is showing the details of the sculptures. The light is giving good colours output. Have a nice day.

Pierre

pajaran (102632) 2020-11-03 8:29

Greeting.
Today we are neighbors with photos at the TPP.
Nice look and moment, well shown with nice colors, contrast and good text.
a beautiful place with a sculpture for children to play, a well-captured moment.
I wish you all the best.
Paja.

ChrisJ (160008) 2020-11-03 8:45

Hello Beverley,

Flatfoot and bigfoot. This looks like it might be by the renowned artist Tom Otterness of NYC. Your note confirmed it. Tfs. I saw several of his whimsical sculptures at Doha Airport in Qatar, which also has the tiny human figures as you can see here:

https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/5043/qatar_airport.jpg

Fis2 (155625) 2020-11-03 8:59

Witaj Bev!
Nice scene from daily life.
Lovely children make an impression.
Excellent piicture from Your archive.
I like framing, colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

jean113 (22047) 2020-11-03 9:34

Hello Beverley, I wonder what the younger children thought as they encountered the large bronze feet?
I am fascinated by the tiny sculptures, I will have to investigate further!
Excellent shot, the children doing what children do best, playing, and totally unaware of you.
Thanks for sharing, kind regards, Jean.

jmdias (102900) 2020-11-03 11:00

bev

nice view showing the interaction of the children with the sculpture, usually many of these public sculptures are used as toys by the children. nice flagrant.

take care

jorge

Tue (82232) 2020-11-03 11:46

Hello Beverley,
Such a charming park, which also offered some shadow on a sunny and probably warm day. The sunlit trees in the background create a nice contrast with the shaded foreground, where the children where playing on those huge feet. Well captured.
Lars

PiotrF (52330) 2020-11-03 13:13

Hello Beverley,
Interesting scene from NY.
I like informative note, nice colors and good composition.
Fine presentation.
Reagrds
Piotr

GyurMaster (21349) 2020-11-03 13:13

Dear Beverley,

Excellent capture from the happy pre-COVID times, when touching surfaces in public spaces were cool. Joking apart, I really like to see these kids engaged in the real world instead of playing on their mobile phones or tablets. All in all, its a nicely made photograph.

Have a nice evening!
Gy.

PS: Thank you very much for your kind words on my latest photograph! :)

papagolf21 (152599) 2020-11-03 23:49

Bonjour, chčre Bev,
J'adore l'enfant qui compare son pied ŕ celui de la sculpture monumentale !
C'est excellent, tout simplement !
Amitiés.
Philippe

emka (152194) 2020-11-04 9:57

Hello Bev, Nice place for children. Must be fun for them and also for adults to observe them playing. These tiny sculptures are cute. Strange idea. I was somewhere near but I haven't seen it. I looked in google and it seemed to me familiar and I was right, I have seen the works of this artist, see here:
https://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Middle_East/Qatar/South/Ad_Dawhah//photo1539072.htm

Best regards Malgo

ktanska (40067) 2020-11-04 10:12

Hi Bev,
Quite original statues. I wonder what was the idea of flattening the other foot! And smaller creatures on the bigger features are fun! No wonder kids like to explore these. Low camera angle works well.
Kari

ifege (32239) 2020-11-04 16:32

Hi Bev
A good fun photo with kids enjoying themselves on these unusual sculptures.
cheers
Ian

worldcitizen (14272) 2020-11-05 13:37

Hello bev,
What a fun shot. I like these giant feet with the tiny creatures - both real and not real - on top. :-) There are Tom Otterness sculptures in other areas of Manhattan, too, including many in the subway station at 14th Street and Eight Avenue. It looks like you thoroughly explored this area, and I'm guessing you also visited the Irish Hunger Memorial. I've always wanted to post a photo of it, but the ones I've previously taken are not great. Maybe I'll get a new batch in the future. Take care!

adramad (67000) 2020-11-08 11:30

Hello Bev.
Tremendous size of these two foot sculptures, the children seem surprised at their size and play with them.
A fantastic photo, with beautiful natural colors, very good management of lighting and sharpness.
Well done. I love.
Happy start to the week.
Very best regards.
Luis.

Miguel82 (47106) 2020-11-14 3:27

Beverley, these sculptures representing feet have attracted the children. They find them strange, a man is watching the scene sat on a public bench. A pleasant everyday's life scene. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

mkamionka (61226) 2020-11-21 2:47

Hi Bev,
It is a difficult subject what is better for children to live a city versus a countryside. I think NYC is probably not the best place for kids, and stereotypically all movie characters move to New Jersey when they start a family. Having said that, this particular spot certainly is a great place for children.
Well captured with the different size children playing with the modern art.
I have exactly these thought recently, should I move to a different location when my daughter gets older...
Very original contribution to your NYC reportage,
M