Whimsical Animal Creatures Have Arrived on the Park Avenue Median in Murray Hill

If you are waking up in Murray Hill today, you will be delighted to find whimsical creatures along the Park Avenue median between 34th and 38th Streets. Patrons of Park Avenue (POPA) invited French artist Idriss B to create a one-of-a-kind urban jungle as an inaugural installation.

The polygonal shaped animal sculptures will inhabit Park Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets through February 23, 2023.

Born and raised outside Paris, France, Idriss B. has shown an interest in art since childhood.  With decades worth of experience helping to create retail and window displays for luxury brands such as Dior, Moncler, Coach, & Michael Kors, Idriss B. launched his unique artistic collection of origami-polygonal shaped animal sculptures in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and now, New York City.

“One of the most beautiful places in the world is New York and it is the perfect place for me to exhibit my work.  It is a hardworking city with a warm family environment, so it is very fitting for people to see and feel the strength of my pieces while bringing the fun to everybody, especially the kids,” said Idriss B.

In bringing his artwork to New York City, Idriss B. has collaborated with POPA, which supports the care, maintenance and planting of the malls of Park Avenue in the Murray Hill neighborhood. The works are exhibited through NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program, which fosters the creation and installation of temporary public art in New York City.

“As Chairwoman of POPA, I’d like to thank Idriss B. for amplifying the beauty and culture of our iconic Park Avenue and installing the first ever art exhibit on the malls of our beloved Murray Hill,” said Victoria Spagnola.

“As CEO & Co-Founder of WindowsWear, I’ve always been impressed with Idriss B.’s work with major luxury brands worldwide, and as Co-Chairman of POPA, I’m thrilled to connect his work with New York City,” said Jon Harari.

“We are happy to partner with Patrons of Park Avenue on their inaugural exhibition and welcome Idriss B.’s colorful, geometric sculptures to New York City through our Art in the Parks program,” said NYC Parks Senior Public Art Coordinator Elizabeth Masella.

Idriss B.’s collection is made by molding his vision of contemporary art to create polygonal animal forms in different sizes, which can also be sold to collectors as limited edition pieces to provide as many opportunities for everyone to own their own unique piece of art.

Patrons of Park Avenue (“POPA”), a division of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association, supports the care, maintenance and planting of the malls of Park Avenue in New York City.  Funding for the seasonal planting and maintenance programs is provided by donations from building owners, co-op boards, condo buildings, private donations, grants, and the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association.

The mission of The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association (“MHNA”) is to continue to make Murray Hill a highly desirable place to live, work and visit.  MHNA does this through programs to preserve the neighborhood’s historic character, greening and beautification, liaising with local government officials about quality of life issues, providing information about the neighborhood to members, and social events.

For over 50 years, NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program has brought contemporary public artworks to the city’s parks, making New York City one of the world’s largest open-air galleries. The agency has consistently fostered the creation and installation of temporary public art in parks throughout the five boroughs. Since 1967, NYC Parks has collaborated with arts organizations and artists to produce over 2,000 public artworks by 1,300 notable and emerging artists in over 200 parks.

While you’re there, walk a few blocks east to 34th Street and First Avenue to see ‘Spot’ sitting in front of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.