When I first moved into the neighborhood in the mid-`90s, the space in question was, if memory serves, a futon emporium. At some point well prior to that, it has something to do with the American Association of Lithographers (or something like that). It may have changed hands a few times after its iteration as the futon joint, but it more recently had became a sort of do-it-yourself Italian restaurant called Vapiano, where you could go from station to station and pick out your pasta, your protein, your sauce, etc. That was novel, for a little while, but the bloom was off the rose after in pretty short order, I'm afraid to say.
I’m talking, of course, about the southeast corner of East 13th Street at University Place. Right now, the space in question seems only a breath away from opening as a garishly decorated P.F. Chang’s, a celebrated chain of Chinese restaurants that started in Arizona, of all places. As part of its impending unveiling, the restaurant appears to be about to reveal a large sculpture perched on the steps of its northernly facing entrance, as captured below by none other than the great J.G. “Foetus” Thirlwell (I respectfully swiped it from his Istagram, … and I have to say that I love the notion of Foetus walking around my neighborhood taking pictures).
It’s looking like the wrapping might come off of this sculpture any day now.
But when it does, I cannot help but think that the mammoth sculpture underneath will probably become an absolute magnet for graffiti before its first week is even done. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a huge fan of street art (and am churlishly known to have stuck up more than a few stickers in my day), but I fear the worst for this mighty steed. Shouldn’t they move him inside? Is it too late for that? Shouldn't they have considered that?
We’ll see.
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