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Miniature “Dwellings” in the Upper East Side

    Manhattan (NYC), New York In 1970 Simonds began making miniature settlements that he described as ‘dwelling places for an imaginary civilization of Little People.’
    Charles Simonds, Dwellings, 1981 located on a shelf above the window on the 2nd floor in the stairwell at The Breuer Building
    ©AFineLyne (IG/gothamtogo.com) | Charles Simonds, Dwellings, 1981 located on a shelf above the window on the 2nd floor in the stairwell at The Breuer Building
    A closer look ~ Looking out the window in the stairwell on the 2nd floor, at 940 Madison Avenue ~ sculpture on the windowsill of 2nd floor.
    ©AFineLyne (IG/gothamtogo.com) | A closer look ~ Looking out the window in the stairwell on the 2nd floor, at 940 Madison Avenue ~ sculpture on the windowsill of 2nd floor
    A third sculpture from the Dwellings series can be found on a rooftop chimney, also at 940 Madison Avenue
    ©AFineLyne (IG/gothamtogo.com) | A third sculpture from the Dwellings series can be found on a rooftop chimney, also at 940 Madison Avenue
    Charles Simonds, Dwellings, 1981 located on a shelf above the window on the 2nd floor in the stairwell at The Breuer Building
    ©AFineLyne (IG/gothamtogo.com) | Charles Simonds, Dwellings, 1981 located on a shelf above the window on the 2nd floor in the stairwell at The Breuer Building
    Address: 945 Madison Ave, Manhattan, NYC Coordinates: 40.77343, -73.96389 Subway: 77 St (Lines 4,6) Hidden Landmarks of New York

    If you go into the stairwell of the Historic Breuer Building in the Upper East Side, you’ll come across a miniature village that’s a little out of place. This is Dwellings, a captivating art installation by Charles Simonds.

    The «Little People» and Their Journey

    Since the ‘70s, Charles Simonds has been creating tiny villages for an imaginary civilization of «Little People,» who are migrating through the streets of cities all around the world. Each dwelling represents a different time and place in the lives of these «Little People,» showcasing their journey through various stages of habitation.

    The Birth of Dwellings at the Whitney Museum

    In 1981, the Whitney Museum commissioned Simonds to create a dwelling to be installed in the stairwell of their original location at the Breuer Building. 

    Right beneath the stairwell installation, there is a window overlooking the other two sculptures. They are situated at 940 Madison Avenue, now home to the Apple Store. One sculpture rests on the ledge of the second floor, while the other sits atop the rooftop chimney. Without knowing where to look, you could easily overlook them. The sculptures are crafted from clay, sand, twigs, stones, wood, plaster, fabric, and chicken wire.

    These installations reflect Simonds’ exploration of the interaction between art and public space.

    Confronting Boundaries

    According to the Whitney Museum, «Simonds confronts traditional boundaries between the museum and the outside world.» These three clusters of dwellings suggest a progression of habitation and abandonment by his fictional nomads and remind viewers to look beyond museum walls.

    The Legacy of the Dwellings

    The Whitney Museum moved out of the Breuer Building in 2014, and the building was taken over by The Met until 2020. After that was the temporary location for the Frick Collection. The Breuer Building at 945 Madison Avenue became home to Sotheby’s in September 2024, with plans to open in 2025. We understand that Dwellings will remain on view in the stairway on the second floor of this historic building.

    Although the museums have changed, the dwellings remain. These miniature creations by Charles Simonds continue to be a reminder of the tiny, imagined world of the «Little People,» standing strong even as the art world around them evolves.

    Viewing Charles Simonds Tiny Clay Village ~ ‘Dwellings’ ~ in a Stairway in the Historic Breuer Building – GothamToGo