Cool Streets:

Spring St. & Hudson St.

Photo courtesy Hudson Square Connection

If you stand on the corner of Spring and Hudson and look south, you’ll see a parking lot framed by an L-shaped building and an enormous black and white mural emblazoned on its side. The mural, made by the French artist JR, features a dancer gliding down the building, arms outstretched, and trailing a large piece of fabric behind her. Rather than falling, the figure appears to be suspended in mid-air, perfectly balanced as she simultaneously reaches for the ground and glances toward the sky.

JR, self-described as a photograffeur, is known for flyposting large black and white photos in public spaces, such as the dancer on 290 Hudson Street. His other notable works around the city have included murals on 23rd Street, 18th Street, Thompson Street, the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, North and South Williamsburg in Brooklyn, Redhook and DUMBO in Brooklyn, Sunnyside in Queens, and Staten Island. His installations are not only impressive in size, but are powerfully expressive and usually invoke elements of social action. Location: The corner of Spring and Hudson Streets.