The Astor Place Cube Removal

After giving us the scoop about removing the Astor Place cube for some repair, The Parks Department sent Gothamist a photograph of the removal process. Clearly, if a bunch of ambitious kids wanted to steal it, they would have needed a crane. In the Village Voice's follow-up article, Gothamist learned that the cube's rotating power used to be great: Artist Tony Rosenthal said, "It used to have a bearing inside so it would spin very fast, but we had to take it out because we were afraid someone would get hurt." We also now realize why few photobloggers had evidence of the removal: The cube was taken away between 6-7AM. Darn you, efficient city services, realizing that they couldn't block morning traffic!

Curbed notes how the 48 hour (thus far) absence of the cube "feels like a lifetime," and has this link to a piece in the Villager that posits that many people are upset: "I am shocked and I am horrified."

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By Jen Chung in News on March 10, 2005 10:42 AM

Comments [rss]

cg

has anyone seen the temporary cube?

spiv

great pics - we used to get wasted and go spin the cube late night - they need to 'un' weld the pivot so future generations can feel the power of the cube.

chimpie

I never met anyone that didn't like the cube. Rare that everyone agrees on anything. I like that new building across the street from the cube too although I reserve judgement on the people it will house. I imagine it will be bossy a-holes demanding things, but you never know.

X.O.

For shame, Mike. You obviously don't know what art is if you can call the cube crappy.

Jason

Congratulations on the scoop! I thought I might have gotten the only photos of the removal. Am I the only one surprised that the Parks department apparently had an official photographer at the event? For a few more, see UrbanPigeon.

MT

That cube has been there my entire life. I still remember the first time I saw it move I swore I was hallucinating. No one believed me until much later when I finally went up to it and tried it for myself. It's definitely a fun little piece of NYC for you.