The Metropolitan Life Insurance (MetLife) Tower and its Playful Sculptural Reinterpretation by Alexandre Arrechea

Three sculptures by Cuban artist, Alexandre Arrechea showing iconic New York City buildings twisted into whimsical shapes are currently on display in the Flatiron District and in Union Square. They were part of large-scale metal artworks that were previously exhibited on Park Avenue on the Upper East Side earlier this year as part of the city's "No Limits" installation. That exhibit concluded on June 9, but three standout pieces are continuing their run in their current location.

One of them is the "Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower", also known as the "Metropolitan Life Tower" or the "MetLife Tower" (2013) coiled into a spiral. The sculpture is installed on 23rd Street next to the Flatiron Building, not far from the actual MetLife  Tower. The photos above show the sculpture and the real tower side by side. Arrechea's sculptures "play on the idea of elastic architecture as a metaphor for the challenges and opportunities of shifting conditions and new realities,” according to release by the Magnan Metz Gallery, one of the show’s producers. The MetLife Tower is located at 1 Madison Avenue in the Flatiron district, next to the Madison Square Park. Constructed in 1909 as world headquarters of the company until 2005, the tower is currently being converted into the New York Edition Hotel.

Midsummer On The High Line, New York's Park In The Sky

Summer is always a good time to visit the High Line, an elevated linear park built on a section of the former New York Central Railroad which runs along the lower west side of Manhattan. The High Line Park currently runs from Gansevoort Street, three blocks below West 14th Street, in the Meatpacking District, up to 30th Street, through the neighborhood of Chelsea to the West Side Yard, near the Javits Convention Center. The repurposed railway has become a very popular urban park in the city. For more information about the park, visit their website.

View of Lower Manhattan Skyline from Centre Street

This is the view of Lower Manhattan skyline from Centre Street. The old and new buildings are juxtaposed in this shot of the skyline below Grand Street. The tall modern building is the Frank Gehry-designed residential skyscraper located at 8 Spruce Street.

Pogopalooza 10 in Union Square

Pogopalooza, the annual world championship of the sport of extreme pogo was held today in Union Square in Manhattan. Extreme Pogo or Xpogo is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks on extreme pogo sticks, defined as such by their durability and potential for height. Extreme pogo is a relatively new extreme sport and is increasingly becoming popular. This is the first time that New York City hosted this annual event. Pogo companies were on-site selling all types of sticks from classic to extreme. There was a Free Jump area where the public can ride any stick or learn how to pogo.

Sunflowers At Grace's Marketplace

Sunflowers are the most common summer flowers available at corner delis, flower shops and farmer's market and supermarket in the city, including Grace's Marketplace on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. These beautiful flowers exude sunshine and warmth with their brilliant yellow petals.

Historic Fireboat John J. Harvey: Old Heroes Never Die

The John J. Harvey is a fireboat formerly of the New York City Fire Department. Built in 1931, John J. Harvey is among the most powerful fireboats ever in service, capable of pumping up to 18,000 gallons of water a minute. John J. Harvey had a distinguished career in the FDNY, assisting in such notable fires as the Cunard Line pier fire in 1932, the burning of the Normandie in 1942, and the ammunition ship El Estero during World War II. She served the FDNY until her retirement in 1994. She was named after marine fireman John J. Harvey who was killed when a ship exploded during a fire. The Harvey was sold in 1999 to a private consortium of marine preservationists determined to prevent her from being scrapped. During the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the boat's owners asked FDNY officials for permission to assist in evacuations from Ground Zero. Alongside two other FDNY fireboats, John J. Harvey pumped water at the site for 80 hours, until water mains were restored. The National Trust for Historic Preservation gave theHarvey a special National Preservation Award to recognize this incident. The Harvey's story was the subject of a 2002 book called "Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey" by Maira Kalman. The fireboat takes irregular but frequent free public trips, sponsored by the owners, in New York harbor. In addition, Magnificent harbor displays are frequent in warm weather. Information from Fireboat.Org.

Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST Presented by the New York Classical Theatre In Battery Park

New York Classical Theatre, a production company dedicated to offering free theater in public places, is currently staging Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' in Battery Park. It is a unique presentation because instead of set changes for different scenes, various places in Battery Park serve as the new set, and the audience moves along with the actors to create what is called "panoramic theatre." Admission is free and no tickets or reservations are required. For More information and schedule are available at the New York Classical Theatre website. 

A Sandal Fit For Lady Liberty

 What size is the Statue of Liberty sandal? According to the beverage company, Snapple, the Statue of Liberty wears a size 879 sandal, which is one of almost a thousand facts (some say "useless facts") found under the caps of Snapple drinks. The company brought Real Fact #444 (out of its 928 Real Facts in total) to life this week at locations around Manhattan to celebrate Snapple's re-enFACTments campaign. The campaign aims to bring some of the Real Facts to life both digitally and experientially. Founded by three childhood friends in 1972, Snapple got its start in Greenwich Village, New York and is now available throughout the United States. These photos were snapped on Sixth Avenue and 51st Street in midtown Manhattan.

Views From The Top Of The Rock® Observation Deck At Rockefeller Center

The Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center offers some of the best views of the thrilling Manhattan skyline. It's worth visiting the observation deck 70 floors high and experiencing 3 viewing decks before sunset and staying until it gets dark for night time views. The observation deck gives an unobstructed 360º city views of the Empire State Building, Central Park, the city skyline, the New Year's Eve ball in Times Square, One World Trade Center, and even Liberty Island. The observation deck is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and the entrance is located at 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.