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SPOT!, Donald Lipski, 2018
SERVICES PROVIDED: Design coordination, Materials research, Budget management, Engineering coordination and oversight, Fabricator bid process, Fabrication oversight, Lighting design development, Shipping, Installation services, Scheduling, Project close-out.
For NYU Langone's new Hassenfeld Children's Hospital in New York, Donald Lipski has designed a sculpture sure to capture the hearts and imaginations of the patients and families who enter this new state-of-the-art facility. Lipski wanted to make something so astounding it would distract even those arriving for the most serious procedures, and so lovable that young patients coming back again and again with chronic conditions would see SPOT! as an old friend. "I like to think that the parents, the doctors, the nurses, the staff, and the neighbors, will all be smitten by this playful, heroic young dog doing the impossible. Art has actual healing power," says Lipski when describing the 2 1/2 story tall Dalmatian balancing a taxi cab on its nose. The Hassenfeld family, which started the Hasbro toy company, were major donors for the newly constructed hospital which influenced Lipski's thinking, "I wanted it to be about toys and play in some way."
The taxi is a Prius, which Toyota gave Lipski for the piece. The car has no engine, tranny, seats, etc., but the lights work, and when it rains the wipers work as well. The massive Dalmatian is made of fiberglass.
In April of 2020, Lipski created a digital mock-up of SPOT adorned with a face mask, reminding everyone that SPOT wears her mask to protect you. In June of 2020, it became a reality, and SPOT was fitted with a custom mask thanks to Katherine Meehan, Chris Collins, Chris Powers and Henry from KCFabrications, and MacGraphic Services, who made the mask.
Click here to read the Gothamist Review naming SPOT NYC's Greatest Sculpture!
Click here to read the Lonely Planet article.
Select images courtesy of Donald Lipski, FAST CORP, and Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.
