The High Line Park is one of the city’s many gems. I hadn’t visited in a few months, so I was eager to take a walk this last day of Summer and soak in the beauty before the cool weather sets in. Much of the park runs through the Chelsea Art Gallery district, and there are many interesting art installations on display. Come walk with me!

Hudson Yards

The connector takes you to Hudson Yards, where you follow the path left and begin to head south. There are a number of stairs to take you up onto the High Line from here, as well.

The trail curves away from Hudson Yards and heads south. It’s the perfect spot for my bagel and coffee breakfast. A cool breeze blows the feather reed grass and takes you away to the country for a moment. The 37 story 507 West Chelsea luxury apartment building rises in the background.

West Chelsea

Morning is a great time for walking here; the plants are fresh and dewy, and the early sun makes dramatic shadows.

Part of the awesomeness of the High Line is its proximity to the Hudson River. You get great views of the river and Hoboken, NJ. The farther you walk, the closer to the river the park gets. The photo below looks up West 28th Street, with the Zaha Hadid building at left.

You can take a peek inside 520W28 at the property website.

Art by Diana Al-Hadid

Diana Al-Hadid was born in Syria and moved to Ohio when she was five years old. The artist now works and lives in Brooklyn. The best description I found of her art comes from the website Berggruen: “Diana Al-Hadid’s sculptures are a masterclass in duality. They seem both ancient and modern, fierce and delicate, simultaneously growing and disintegrating—reminding us there is no such thing as a fixed state.”

In the sculpture “Double Standard” below, two headless bodies are joined at the neck, one right-side up, one upside down.

“In Mortal Repose” below, where a headless, legless body melts, with a pair of feet fallen below that you can’t seed in these photos.

I spent some time browsing online to try and understand what the artist’s message was in this piece. I agree with Burnaway writer Melinda Baker who said: “Al-Hadid provides no sure footing when it comes to the ideas behind her work.” And that’s OK. I think the experience art is different for everyone, we see what is inside our minds through the vehicle of their work.

In the background rises the Zaha Hadid Building (2017) 520 West 28th Street, Chelsea. You can see good photos of her work on her website.

secondary forest

At the West 24th Street overpass stands “secondary forest” by Italian artist Giulia Cenci. For me, coming across it made me think of a slaughter, with the human and dog heads hanging, eyes closed. On closer inspection, the faces seem at peace, almost sleeping. From the High Line website: “This amalgamation of organic and industrial materials reflects the history of the Meatpacking District’s meat trade and the High Line’s role in that industry.” Yikes.

A secondary forest is a forest or woodland that has regrown after a significant disturbance, such as human activity or natural events. Knowing that, this artwork suggests to me the end of humankind and the regeneration of nature. What do you think?

The combination of nature’s beauty and striking architecture alongside the High Line. The building in the background is known as HL23, built in 2008 at 515 West 23rd Street. At left is 508 West 24th Street (2014), designed by architect Cary Tamarkin.

A great time to look back north towards Hudson Yards. The variety of design is fun to observe.

Curtain Call

I was happy to see so much new (for me) art on the High Line today. “Curtain Call” is part of a new series “Beauty Must Suffer”, focusing on the work and lives of black dancers. Artist Karon Davis’s sister and parents were professional dancers.

Seeing firsthand in her family the mental and physical exhaustion that follows a flawless performance, the artist recreates it beautifully in this piece.

Urban Rattle

“Urban Rattle, by artist Charlie Hewitt, has the distinction of being the only piece of permanent artwork on the High Line. He’s also designed and installed a 20+ foot tall cowboy boot out in Dallas. I’d love to see that! Artist’s website here.

Thank You Darling

In 1983 Lily van der Stoker moved from the Netherlands to New York and opened a small gallery. She is known throughout the world for her flowery and colorful murals. “Thank You Darling” was a wall painting from 1994 made for the High Line last year, and will be on display until November 2024.

It’s the last day of summer, and the golden hues of autumn are definitely arriving. Beyond the leaves is the back side of Guardian Angel Roman Catholic Church (1930), 193 10th Avenue

Birth of Islands

A burst of yellow rises out of the flowers over West 20th Street. It’s “Birth of Islands” by Teresa Solar-Abboud. The High Line’s website describes it as “a new sculpture…inspired by animals and prehistoric life forms.” I really couldn’t see anything in it, but it the curves are fun and I like it’s smooth contrast with the greenery.

Lantern House

Lantern House extends beneath and on either side of the High Line. It was designed by London-based Thomas Heatherwick and completed in 2020.

It’s impossible not to pause and imagine what it would be like to live surrounded by the glass of Lantern House. Looking like giant hives, the tinted windows allow a bit of privacy while giving phenomenal views of the High Line and West Chelsea. Want to see inside? LanternHouse.com

What if They Bark?

They picked the perfect spot to display this whimsical, happy concert – the Tenth Avenue observation deck. You can sit and watch traffic move up 10th Ave below you with these fish to make you smile.

Cosima von Bonin was born in Kenya and raised in Austria. She is known for her playful installations containing fish, mushrooms, dogs, rockets and more. I’d love to see more! What if They Bark will be at the High Line until October 2024.

Tenth Avenue from High Line

A Totem for the High Line

At the Northern Spur Preserve is a new artwork: A Totem for the High Line. It was created by Arthur Simms and made of cables, license plates and a decommissioned utility pole from Randall’s Island. West 16th street runs below, and you can see a bit of Lantern House peeking out, too.

Consolidated Edison Building

I love this view of 14th Street – you can see all the way from 10th Ave, to the Consolidated Edison Building a block from Union Square! It’s at least halfway across Manhattan. You can’t miss the “Tower of Light” atop the 1929 Beaux-Arts beauty. The newer building is at left is 412W15 (2010) with 18 stories.

car-grass-screen-2 and car-body-screen-2

The High Line website describes artist Tishan Hsu as a pioneer of the digital art movement. I love the smooth shapes and curves. They picked a good location for these two works, where path goes under The Standard High Line Hotel. The industrial setting seems to work well with the digital feel.

On Growth

This marvelous work draws a lot of attention from visitors, and it’s easy to see why. Canadian artist Kapwani Kiwanga sculpted a fern and encased it in glass. Reading about it I learned that in the late 19th century, Wardian cases, an early kind of terrarium, were used to transport living plants to Europe from overseas. “On Growth” will be on display until October 2024.

The southern tip of the High Line ends at Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District. Looking back, you can see the effort and time that created this lush oasis. The High Line is beautiful in every season, if you’ve never been I hope you’ll add it to your bucket list!

You can read more about the art I’ve shared on the High Line website. Thank you for walking with me!

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