Another one of those oddities in the line of 'world's biggest ball of yarn', and/or 'world's biggest thermometer'. Diagonal from the Astor Place Theatre, this is a simple yet fun visit. It's supposed to rotate, but it didn't move for me, maybe I wasn't pushing hard enough, but it also started to pour when I was looking at it, and I didn't want to get soaked trying. read more

The Cube @ Astor Place - Public Art Near Me - New York, New York

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A popular meet up spot, you can't miss this bronze cube set precariously on its corner, on the northern corner of the block of Astor Place between Cooper Square and Lafayette St. It invites you to interact, a push and it spins, just be careful to keep your balance as it goes around! Titled "The Cube" or "Alamo", this 15 foot tall, 2400 pound rotating cube was the first contemporary sculpture purchased by the City of New York, and also the first sculpture that artist Tony Rosenthal created as a public art piece not commissioned by an architect. Interesting enough, this cube was originally supposed to be installed in Ann Arbor, where the University of Michigan is located and from where Rosenthal was an alumnus, however Cooper Union students petitioned to keep the sculpture in NYC. So he created a second one installed in 1968 in Michigan and commissioned by the U of M Class of 1965, officially titled "Endover." Fun fact: in total there are not only two--but actually three versions of the rotating cube, one in New York, one in Ann Arbor and another in Miami. More info at: https://tonyrosenthal.com/the-alamo/ read more

The Cube @ Astor Place - On a spring evening - Public Art Near Me - New York, New York

Awesome installation. Unlike many others and really worth a bit of time if you're adding quick vibes to the agenda.

Astor Place cube passes the vibe check every single time. Pro tip: be careful spinning the cube too fast or it's easy to fall!! Great activity for drunk people or those easily amazed by interactive activities. There's always so much commotion around this cube. People are dancing, trading, rapping, hanging, etc. Great place to vibe read more

Located on the corner of E 8th and Lafayette street. Really cool place. Looks like they improved it and added chairs and tables to sit at the square. The Cube is magnificent. Also located across the street from subway ( 6 train), Starbucks, Wegmans etc. read more

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Props to those that have seen the 'weather cube' short and that have spun it in days long gone by. ;) read more

The Cube @ Astor Place - Props to those that have seen the weather cube short and who have spun it in days gone by. - Public Art Near Me - New York, New York

The Alamo Cube Is Amazing! It is art and it moves! Abraham Lincoln Loved it! It is painted black! If you come to NYC don't miss it! I'm going to see 10 more times! Warning: Do not try this with other art! May cause nausea! Use only as directed Pregnant people should not stand close to "the Cube." If a rash occurs, it has nothing to do with, "the Cube" but you should go see a doctor anyway. It is the happy fun ball of cubes! https://youtu.be/GmqeZl8OI2M?si=g3ptGS8vGh9Jtkuo read more

The Cube @ Astor Place - Public Art Near Me - New York, New York

It's just the coolest piece of public art. It's a great location by the Astor Place Subway and Cooper Square. There's a lot of Public Seating here. It's a landmark to me. There's not much more to say. Truthfully I don't see anyone spinning it when I'm there. I'm afraid to touch it because it's huge and teetering. I do love it and want to share it with you! read more

The Cube @ Astor Place - I love seeing it when I'm in the area. 09/17/21 - Public Art Near Me - New York, New York

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The Cude also known as The Alamo by the creator Tony Rosenthal is over 50 years old !!! I love this Cube but it needs to be cleaned, stickers removed and street vendors need to not use it to old up there merchandise. Don't know if anybody is responible for upkeep, maybe it's time for a GoFundMe? read more

The Cube @ Astor Place - Public Art Near Me - New York, New York

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One of the things about New York that I enjoy is just the art pieces strewn throughout the city. While we were visiting, we would "randomly" see art sculptures and public pieces that we'd have to take pictures of. We actually walked by while we were heading to Central Park (yes, we wanted to talk; yes, our feet have been in pain), and I totally had to get a picture. We came by at around 9am on a weekday, so no line at all, and we were able to get a quick shot before continuing on our trek. From what I could quickly read, it seems like the Cube was originally supposed to be a temporary piece, but residents petitioned for it to be permanent. I didn't see any other sculptures in the area, so I am guessing that other ones are temporary and weren't around due to the weather (very similar to sculptures at the Whitney Museum). I didn't know that this thing could rotate! Need to try that next time. read more

Just kinda cool. A memento and welcoming point to the East village. Who hasn't tried to spin it? Did you even know it spins? This little intersection of New York city has changed radically in the last 20 years, but some things remain the same. This is one of them. Enjoy it. read more

I am nothing like Arnold Schwartzenegger but if you try to push this cube you will feel like a strong man. Okay so maybe I couldn't push it not even with the power of my wushi finger hold technique and all of the strength of my litlle pinky finger and maybe you would need another person on the other side of the cube "spotting you" but it is still cool to spin this thing. Just bring some antibacterial gel right after though who knows who has touched it. But if you are not pushing the cube standing here makes you feel like you're at the crossroads of the world. Just like Times Square but in a much cooler part of town, less tourists and more authentic real new yorkers. The cube is at the epicenter of a lot of great neighborhoods like union square, east village, west village and noho/soho. This is also a great place to meet up with your friends and people watch and is a hang out spot for NYU and Cooper Union kids and the occasional skateboarder. Just meet up here and pick a direction and go-lots of bars and japanese eateries and other places nearby and if you are waiting a little too long check out the kmart nearby or grab a coffee from starbucks across the street. read more

The Cube @ Astor Place - My mighty pinky pushing the cube - Public Art Near Me - New York, New York

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Perfectly meets my expectations of an art cube. 10/10, would cube again. I read a two-star review of this thing on here. Can you imagine the mentality of someone who bothers to rate The Cube two stars? Bish, you prolly bitter because you couldn't spin it. Crew up and spin that thing, fool! (Oh, and there's also one at the student union at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.) read more

I know it doesn't look like it in the picture, but I swear I spun the thing. Albeit slowly. And with the help of a young girl who happened to be taping up fliers on it at the time. But I moved it! Yeah! Yay for simple pleasures. read more

The Cube @ Astor Place - It's spinning! Not fast, obviously, but it is. - Public Art Near Me - New York, New York

It's a big black spinning cube. Like an evil giant Rubik's cube. Or Hellraiser cube. Touch it. Spin it. You know you want to. Whenever I walk by it on the way to the bars and restaurants down St Marks or if I'm heading over to McSorleys I try to spin it unless it's surrounded by skater kids hanging around it or homeless sleeping by it. It's not as easy to spin as it was years ago so you have to use some muscle. Someone needs to WD-40 this thing! It's always a fun goofy thing to do late at night when drunk from bar hopping. It's an iconic NYC landmark, and a great spot to meet up with friends coming from the subway stop close by. Usually the MUD Truck is nearby too if you need a cup of java. Spin the cube - you know you want to! read more

"The Cube" is actually titled "The Alamo" and is a sculpture by Tony Rosenthal, who died in 2009 and was known for his monumental outdoor sculptures. The base, which turns, had become fused with rust and debris, and there had to be some restoration work done to the cube a few years ago so it would spin again. When I was a freshman at Cooper Union in 1980, I joined the fencing club briefly; it was headed by an Art school grad named Artie Lange. He insisted the sculpture was called "The Alamo" because it was the shape of the trash receptacles in Texas. read more

The Cube @ Astor Place - Public Art Near Me - New York, New York

You ain't a real New Yawker if you never spun the cube. When you have seen the Lower East Side go thru riots and drug infestation of unparalleled proportions back in the day you can appreciate a cube that spins. Instead of your mind spinning with all the madness that used to be out and about, oh boy the good old days. read more

Tony Rosenthal's spinning creation has become a must-do for all visitors to the East Village. It has been the absolute perfect meet up spot and a most unique landmark, one that is unmistakable and allows for interaction with it's admirers. For years I never knew it could spin, but I'm so glad it does. Definitely be careful while pushing the cube. I've seen accidents happen and tempers flare all too many times. Most of the people sitting below are usually hippies who look more like they're homeless than they are students, but they'll all scatter away when the rain comes. Long live "The Alamo." read more

Please do not spin The Cube. Even though it's on an axis and looks very push-friendly, it weighs almost 2,000 lbs...so it's a lot harder than it looks. If I'm sitting at the base of The Cube, most likely stuffing my face with Pomme Frites, I'll be too distracted from their yummy goodness to realize that you're about to run full force into me. And then I will have to cut you. This is a narration of what someone said to me when I was by the cube, PRETENDING to spin it for a photo op. What, did you think I was THAT mean? read more

The Cube @ Astor Place - Fake-pushing the cube! - Public Art Near Me - New York, New York

This is one of my first memories of NY. When I first visited NY, a native New Yorker told me to push the cube. I thought he was lying to me so he can make my friend and I look like a dumb ass. Though it did move---I still felt like a dumb ass for pushing it! One year...they painted this cubic into Rubik's cube-I thought it was pretty nifty! (I wished they kept it this way!) read more

Great location to people watch and there's a large Starbucks on the corner. I don't come here enough but I'm realizing this area puts me in the heart of many places I like to visit in SOHO read more

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What mid-twenties New Yorker, stumbling to the trains from St. Marks or the East Village hasn't seen this piece of public art and wanted to give it a big spin? First installed as a piece of public art, the cube (or Alamo, as it is officially titled) has been a constant as the East Village undergoes rapid change and renewal. Although we tell the tourists that the cube doesn't spin, it actually can be moved, though not without a bit of force. Given both the centrality and the uniqueness of the cube, it's a very central meeting point for any outings on St. Marks or the East Village read more

- East Village icon - spin it once, just to say you did - convenient place to meet up with people who aren't familiar with the area (kind of hard to miss the large random cube) - if you're a true new yorker, you know what and who I'm referring to when I use the term "cube kid" - my heart cried a little when it was taken away to be redone, long live the cube! read more

So I came here because it was on a bucket list, and I was not impressed. Yes its kinda cool - a big cube . I tried to spin it and I couldn't get it to spin. I guess its cool as a meeting spot- like hey meet me at the cube, but other than that I wouldn't go out of my way to go see this thing... read more

"The Cube" is cool and I love passing by it. You see these young skater kids trying to spin it or lift it up whatever( Yeah I didn't know that at first either). IDIOT!!!!! Wait I was one of those idiots a few years ago, me and my skaters friends would try to spin that joint all the time until we got dizzy. Well, it was fun. Still nice to look at. A great meeting spot when you do get off the train in the area. read more

Not really as good as it gets, but I do enjoy spinning the cube as if I'm rollin dice at a casino. You gotta love interactive art. read more

No this is not a review about the AllSpark! The Cube @ Astor Place aka The Cube or Alamo is a sculpture located on Astor Place. It is basically a black cube mounted on a corner. If you look closely at the base of the cube, you'll find a plaque with the name Alamo on it. What you probably don't know is that the name was selected by the artist's wife because its scale and mass reminded her of the Alamo Mission. Cool huh? Anyway, it is a landmark, a handy rendez-vous location if you're meeting with mates and and a must-see when you are in NYC. Check it out and don't worry.. It's hard to miss. read more

Stale conversation deserves but a bread knife And punks who would laugh when they saw us together Well, they didn't know how to dress for the weather I can still see them there huddled on Astor Snow falling slow to the sound of the master The Cube serves as a decent photo op spot that doesn't make me vomit as hard as some other touristy alternates, at least not until people start touching it and making grimaces like they're at the gym. All in all, not a bad use of space and a good reference point if Astor itself doesn't help you navigate already. 10/2014 update: THEY'RE BOXING UP THE BOX (CUBE) read more

It's like a dreidl, but not at all. I spent a lot of time in my teens hanging out by the cube, waiting for my friends, trying to look as pensive and moody as I could. Then I got over the semi-goth thing and got into the raver thing, and the cube saw a lot of widelegs and glowsticks. Then I got over that and became a skater. Except I sucked so it didn't last long, but the cube saw that too. And all the pimples and heartaches of being a teenager, desperately trying to be cool by hanging out in the village. Ah, the good ole days. I walk by it and cringe now, thinking of what freakin idiots teenagers are. Christ almighty. read more

With apologies to David Letterman: Top 10 Things Overheard at the Cube at Astor Place 10. You think Rubik's had anything to do with this design? 9. I know the mathematical term is "Cube squared" but this is ridiculous 8. so how many times have you gotten stoned just sitting here? 7. I swear, i can skateboard right over it! 6. Hipsters! Hipsters! Hipsters! 5. the Cube here, Starbucks over there, and The Public Theatre there. what the hell is K-Mart doing here again? 4. It does not spin, shut the hell up! 3. Holy sh*t it does spin! 2. Sorry m'am, your head just got in the way of my spinning. 1. Yes, that Cube is huge, and I am glad to see you. read more

After spending four years in Ann Arbor, home of the Astor Place cube's identical sister, happening upon the NY version is more than a little incongruous for me. My friend has a theory that if you touch this one, it will warp you over to the Ann Arbor cube like some video game transport thingy. That theory is...wrong. I know because I tried. I will always consider the Ann Arbor cube to be my Famous Original cube. It's flanked by the Michigan Union, the Mondrian-inspired Fleming Building, and a bunch of trees that make it a really pretty sight in the fall. But I appreciate the Astor Place cube for giving me a chance to experience Michigan without having to interact with freshman tour groups or fratty-boom-battys. read more

Can't spin a sculpture at the MOMA! (I tried.) Back in 2001, the cube was a stop on the bike couriers' "Warriors Fun Ride" The manifest asked each team to spin the cube with as few people as possible. Back then, this was quite a feet; I saw grown men cry over their cans of WD40! Since restored, the cube's an easy spin--the true center of Astor place. "Meet me at the cube!" Wheeee! read more

This is definitely an iconic spot. I spent a significant amount of my high school years hanging out near St. Marks street, and I'd always pass by this black metal behemoth and see large groups of kids sitting around it. I really don't get it, I find it to be pretty ugly. But, it sorta wouldn't be the village without it. read more

My fondest memories of the cube. I remember my skater chick days as a teenager, hanging out with my skater friends smoking cigarettes and wearing big flared out jeans. Ahh those were the days when I could skateboard, do tricks, and not manage to get hurt. The cube does spin. You could also look up some things people have done to the cube in the past. Its pretty interesting. Someone did spray paint some panels before too. Luckily the NY sanitation dept cleans it weekly. Please dont leave me cube! I hope you will stay there forever :) read more

All I know is that to me You look like you're havin' fun Open up your lovin' arms Watch out, here I come You spin me right round, baby Right round like a record, baby Right round round round You spin me right round, baby Right round like a record, baby Right round round round read more

Meet me at the "cube." You KNOW what I'm talkin' about. Uh huh, yeah. ;-) read more

The cube !!! It's basically a cube shaped landmark...located in mahatten.... One of the well known landmarks in New York City... Lots of people take pictures of this puticlear cube located right on the streets...this is my first time actually passing the cube and I saw some pretty awesome things... There are these snake acts... Well I guess snakes...people letting you hold it and take pictures there was about five snakes on the floor right next to the cube.. It was pretty cool... Many people actually stop and enjoy the area also... Some took pictures with the cube... It was pretty cute... Love the area... Whatever lets just say I love mahatten... But there many restaurants and cute stores located around here...so when you stop by to check the cube... check out the area as well ...lots of interesting things to do..won't disappoint you! Promise! :) read more

I'm waiting for it to topple over onto some of those pseudo goths that hangout there. When that happens I'll give it 5 stars. read more

Every time I get off at Astor Place, I constantly see people trying to spin the Cube, including myself. And when they fail at spinning it, they blame it on he Cube. It could be spun, its just that you can't. And neither can I. read more

I had no idea this thing spins until some friends came to visit and told me that it spins. But they failed to spin it so I actually laughed at them and did not believe them. But then some months later I actually saw some random strangers spinning it, and I thought, "Oh, it does spin!" So of course, the next time I walked by it, I had to go spin it. It's heavy! read more