Places near me Random place
All United States New York State New York City New York Giant Needle and Button

Giant Needle and Button

There must be a pun in this haystack somewhere...

New York, New York

Added By
Oliver Hong
  Scott Beale/Laughingsquid
  Mike GL
Judith Weller's Bronze Garment Worker Statue   MAGNETs (Atlas Obscura User)
Giant Button and Needle in Fashion District of NYC   MAGNETs (Atlas Obscura User)
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Walking down 7th avenue in Manhattan's fashion district, you might be surprised to see a massive button and needle leaning against the Fashion District Information Center. While the sculpture was designed in the style of works by Claes Oldenburg, it was designed and built along with the information center by Pentagram Architectural Services.

Just next to the information booth, a statue of a garment worker toils in the shadow of the huge needle and button. This weathered-looking bronze statue is a work by Judith Weller. It depicts her father, one of a great many Jewish immigrants who moved to New York and wound up working in the garment district. Looming over the immigrant worker, the needle and button feel less whimsical and more menacingly oppressive.

Related Tags

Statues

Community Contributors

Added By

Oliver Hong

Published

February 28, 2012

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Related Places

  • Oslo, Norway

    'Santa'

    A bold and controversial statue of a Christmas icon, blending adult undertones with playful humor, stands year-round in a traffic circle.

  • This giant fiberglass catfish welcomes visitors to Trempealeau, Wisconsin.

    Trempealeau, Wisconsin

    Trempealeau Catfish Statue

    A giant fiberglass catfish welcomes visitors to this Wisconsin river town and heralds its annual Catfish Days festival.

  • Amazake-babaa.

    Tokyo, Japan

    Amazake-babaa

    This statue of a deified “hag” is said to protect children from the common cold and coughing fits.

  • Say hello to Bemik, the sports and recreation bear.

    Warsaw, Poland

    Bemisie

    A group of tiny bears has occupied various spots across Warsaw's Bemowo district.

  • Elf Freunde Kreisel

    Kaiserslautern, Germany

    Elf Freunde Kreisel

    A team of concrete athletes stands in the middle of a traffic circle.

  •

    Durham, England

    'The Journey'

    A statue commemorating the perilous journey made by the monks who delivered the body of St. Cuthbert.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads

Become a Member