The Girl Puzzle, soon to open in Lighthouse Park on Roosevelt Island, arrives from a seed planted by Susan Rosenthal. While still RIOC President/CEO, she imagined a tribute to pioneering journalist Nellie Bly and made an artists’ call for ideas. Once they rolled in, she convened a team of reviewers made up of residents and RIOC staff. They made the final design choice.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Susan Rosenthal and The Girl Puzzle
“Because the idea of a memorial to Nelly Bly on the north end of Roosevelt Island was mine, meeting Prometheus, understanding and appreciating their remarkable concept, choosing and advocating for them to realize their vision, was one of the most exciting projects of my time as president of RIOC,” Rosenthal told The Daily.
Prometheus Art is a Kentucky based studio and foundry. One of the owners, Amanda Matthews designed The Girl Puzzle.
Even so, the current RIOC administration did not invite her to the opening on December 10th. Nor have they credited her efforts, without which the installation would not exist. But she’s coming anyway.
“While it has been disappointing not to be involved in its development,” Rosenthal added, “I am so excited to see— and walk through— The Girl Puzzle.
“I am certain this amazing public art will have an extraordinary impact on the Island.“
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- A new RIOC appeals officer denied records on how its general counsel was hiredA different RIOC appeals officer denied records on how RIOC hired general counsel Lance Polivy. RIOC’s internal deliberations on the hire stay withheld.
- Monday’s PSD blotter: two hospital transports, two disputesRIOC’s Nov. 9 PSD blotter lists 14 incidents, including four aided calls with two hospital transports and a verbal dispute at 750 Main Street that drew FDNY.
- Flushing Spa Murder: Man Charged After Woman Found Stabbed to DeathFlushing spa murder investigation leads to a murder charge against a 54-year-old man after a woman was found fatally stabbed in a Queens storefront.
- Sunday’s blotter: four medical calls, three non-criminal investigationsRIOC’s Nov. 8 PSD blotter lists 19 incidents, including four aided calls (two hospital transports) and three Investigation Non-Criminal entries at 465, 580 and 546 Main Street.
- NYC Code Blue Homeless Outreach Gets $25 Million for WinterNYC Code Blue homeless outreach receives $25 million for winter assistance. Here’s what the city has announced and what remains unclear about the funding.
Rosenthal vs. Albany: The Steam Tunnel Nobody Fixed
Buried inside that employment dispute is another story: a deteriorating steam tunnel, a fight over who would pay for it, and a warning to Albany that never resulted in a repair.
The Girl Puzzle is an ugly, embarrassing example of cheap trash posing as “Art”. It’s an eyesore. Get rid of it and all who took part in choosing it.
Thanks for your thoughts. Yours is a decidedly minority opinion, but that’s art, isn’t it?