4. From Sea to Shining Sea at The Seaport

Kolonihavehus glass house by Tom Fruin
Photo courtesy Tom Fruin

While taking in breathtaking views of the New York Harbor, visitors of The Seaport can also spend time marveling at Brooklyn-based artist Tom Fruin’s exhibition, From Sea To Shining Sea. Part of the ICON series, a collection of public artworks designed to help viewers reimagine the buildings and structures around them, From Sea To Shining Sea features two colorful plexiglass and steel houses placed to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Fruin’s famous Brooklyn landmark Watertower

The exhibition’s first house, Kolonihavehus—conceived in collaboration with the performance company CoreAct—takes its name from Copenhagen’s ubiquitous kolonihavehus, modest garden sheds found across the city. Fruin created the house from around one thousand scraps of individually framed plexiglass which was hand-welded into a steel quilt. For the last twelve years, Kolonihavehus has traveled around the world, currently calling its home at the entrance to Pier 17. In contrast, Hi 5 Taxi Cab, located on the Heineken Riverdeck, is composed of New York City signage advertising a demolished taxi cab depot and repair garage. The second house’s name was inspired by the Statue of Liberty, whose raised hand, similar in nature to a high five, can figuratively represent the hailing of a New York City cab. From Sea to Shining Sea will remain up through September 2022.