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Though only a few vestiges of this history remain, Union Square used to be known as New York City’s "Book Row," a literary commercial corridor once home to over three dozen booksellers between Union Square and Astor Place. A new abstract artwork captures the spirit of that literary legacy.
Titled Recess: Reads, this bright red steel sculpture by New York-based artist Fitzhugh Karol will soon be displayed at Triangle Plaza in Union Square. This eight-foot-tall artwork invites passersby to pause, play and discover new perspectives on a familiar cityscape. See it from November 19 through June 2026.
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"Union Square's history as New York's literary heart made it the perfect setting for Recess: Reads. The sculpture is inspired by the simple, transformative act of opening a book—an invitation to pause, reflect, and discover new perspectives," Karol said in a press release. "I wanted to create a form that feels both playful and grounding, one that people can move through, lean against or simply enjoy as part of the landscape. My hope is that it sparks curiosity and connection, much like the books and stories that once defined this neighborhood."
Karol initially created the artwork as part of a series for a children's library in Oklahoma City, then it traveled around the country before making its way to New York City. The piece is designed with a bi-fold shape as a nod to an open book. A circular hole in the center invites viewers to reframe their surroundings as they gaze toward Park Avenue South. All are invited to lean on the work, sit within it or peer through it, blurring the line between viewing and inhabiting public art.
The sculpture is inspired by the simple, transformative act of opening a book.
Though Recess: Reads is gigantic now, it didn't begin that way. Karol started the process by cutting paper models with X-acto knives and hole punches. He then digitized and scaled those ideas into steel fabrications finished with durable automotive-grade paint to create the final product.
The work is presented in partnership with Union Square Partnership and NYC Parks.
To see even more cool outdoor artwork this fall, check out a rare sculpture by Roy Lichtenstein called Brushstrokes, now on view through November at 3 World Trade. Meanwhile in Times Square, there's a massive pink carriage installation called Magic Grasshopper on view through December 2. Also catch Fragile Giants, a series of animal sculptures on Park Avenue, through May 11, 2026.