On East 34th Street, between First Avenue and FDR Drive, just outside the Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, you’ll encounter a massive sculpture of a dog balancing a taxi on its nose. This whimsical creation is called SPOT, designed by Donald Lipski.
Revealed in the summer of 2018, SPOT is a piece by artist Donald Lipski, crafted in collaboration with realist sculptor Chris Collins. Constructed from fiberglass and steel, this nearly four-story-tall Dalmatian holds a New York City cab precariously on its nose.
The taxi, a Prius, was generously provided by Toyota for this project. At night, it lights up like any typical city cab, and during rainy weather, its windshield wipers even spring into action.
Lipski is well-versed in creating public art in New York City. Among his notable works is Sirshasana, a chandelier shaped like an inverted olive tree, showcased in Grand Central Market on Lexington Avenue.
As Lipski explains, his goal was to design something extraordinary that could uplift even those facing difficult circumstances:
“I wanted to create something so incredible it would capture the attention of even those arriving for the most serious treatments, and so endearing that young patients returning for chronic care would think of it as a familiar friend. I hope parents, doctors, nurses, and staff alike will be charmed by this spirited, heroic dog accomplishing the impossible. Art genuinely has the power to heal.”
The New York Times praised the sculpture, saying:
“Spot opens a small portal to a world of playful imagination, whisking viewers into the delightful fantasy of a child’s dream. It’s a destination that never loses its charm.”
How to get there?
On the south side of E. 34th St., just east of its intersection with 1st Ave.