LeFrak and Simon have unveiled the “Water’s Soul” sculpture in Jersey City’s Newport Pier, with the 80-foot high art piece visible across the Hudson River from lower Manhattan.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“It is my wish for Water’s Soul to become an icon for Newport and a landmark that visually connects it with New York City across the Hudson River,” Plensa said in a statement.
“Just as Water’s Soul acts to unite the City of Jersey City and New York City, we are reminded that water is the great public space that unites and embraces communities as well as people around the world.”
The LeFrak and Simon families, the chief developers of Newport, together commissioned Plensa for the artwork on Newport Pier. This is the international artist’s tallest sculpture to date.
“Over the course of three decades, Newport has blossomed into a vibrant, diverse community. We are proud to welcome Jaume Plensa’s breathtaking sculpture to this one-of-a-kind neighborhood as we continue to establish Newport within the growing art scene taking shape in Jersey City,” added LeFrak CEO and Chairman Richard LeFrak.
The sculpture is Plensa’s second major, permanent installation in the New York metropolitan area, following the 2018 installment of “Voices” at 30 Hudson Yards.
A dedication of “Water’s Soul” will be held in the third week of October 2021, after which the landscaped walkway will open for year-round public access.
The pier’s walkway was designed by Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects and connects to Newport’s existing mile-long Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.
“After a generation of incredible work, determination, and investment, this area has been truly transformed from what was once barren land into a vibrant, thriving community,” noted Simon CEO, Chairman, and President David Simon.
“This magnificent Jaume Plensa sculpture is a phenomenal representation of the cultural sense of place that Newport embodies.”
Not bad, but it doesn’t overshadow the enduring Lefrak/Simon monument of the Berlin Wall Parking Garage that cuts off the downtown street grid from the waterfront. How great that could have been.
Jersey City asked for, nee REQUIRED that parking garage – just read the redevelopment plan. Don’t blame the developers for 1980s municipal planning that was centered around cars and shopping malls.