"New York City has numerous works of art scattered throughout its streets, squares and avenues. One of the most recent and, without a doubt, one of the most special because of the place where it is located, is entitled 'Spot' and was inaugurated last July. The sculpture represents a gigantic Dalmatian dog over 9 meters tall on whose snout the classic yellow New York taxi “balances”. “Spot” is located in front of the main entrance of Hassenfeld Children's Hospital inside NYU Langone's Kimmel Pavilion (34th Street and First Avenue) in the Midtown area of Manhattan. The work has been created by the famous sculptor Donald Lipski who was inspired by the belief that art has, in a way, healing powers and wants to make everyday life easier for patients, hospital staff, and visitors. The smile of the little ones 'Spot', the giant Dalmatian, seeks to surprise, distract, and provoke the smile of the little patients who come to the hospital to undergo surgical operations or those who suffer from chronic diseases and are frequently admitted. “I like to think that parents, doctors, nurses, staff, neighbors, will fall in love with this playful, heroic dog who does the impossible. Art has real healing power" Although he was born in Chicago, the sculptor has lived in New York since the 1970s and is a resident of the area where the hospital is located, so it is a very special intervention for him. Donald Lipski your creation The process of creating the sculpture has been quite complex given its dimensions and characteristics. Lipski worked with engineer Nick Geurts to create a structure capable of withstanding a Hurricane Sandy-class. In addition, it was necessary to obtain the approval of the railway company Amtrak since one of its tunnels runs just below. Realist sculptor Christopher Collins designed the dog to scale, and the FAST Corporation, in Wisconsin, prepared the sculpture for installation. spots The taxi is a real model, a Toyota Prius of those currently in service in the city donated by the Japanese company. To lighten its weight, the engine and interior elements (dashboard, seats...) have been removed. In addition, a sensor has been installed that causes the wipers to activate when it rains."
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