Gyde
Open prototypeProto
Back to all New York City places

New York City, New York / Public art

Red Cube

A striking, vermilion sculpture by Isamu Noguchi that defies gravity, balancing on a single point to bridge the gap between the flat plaza and the towering skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan.

Open prototype Official site Get directions
Red Cube
www.noguchi.org, og_image_www.noguchi.org

Where is the Red Cube located?

The Red Cube is located at 140 Broadway in New York City, situated in a plaza on the east side of Broadway between Cedar and Liberty Streets.

What is the Red Cube known for?

It is an iconic sculpture by Isamu Noguchi that appears to defy gravity by balancing on one corner. The piece is crafted from steel and cast aluminum, painted red, and features a hole carved through the center to visually link the plaza with surrounding skyscrapers.

Is it free to visit?

Yes, the sculpture is open to the public.

What is the meaning behind the sculpture?

Isamu Noguchi explained that the cube signifies chance, similar to the rolling of dice.

How big is the Red Cube?

The sculpture rises to a height of 24 feet, though other records describe it as 28 feet tall.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Standing as a bold interruption to the urban grid, the Red Cube is a 1968 commission by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Created by the celebrated Japanese artist Isamu Noguchi, the sculpture was specifically designed to respond to the man-made canyon of its surroundings. It is crafted from steel and cast aluminum, finished in a vibrant red paint that contrasts sharply with the grey tones of the city. While its name suggests a perfect geometric shape, the work is actually an elongated rhomboid mass, distorted and stretched along its vertical axis. The sculpture balances precariously on one corner, with an opposite corner stretching upwards to a height of 24 feet. This precarious lean creates a visual miracle that seems to defy gravity's stern law, directing the viewer's eye instantly toward the sky. Beyond its form, the piece serves a conceptual purpose. Noguchi described the work as signifying chance, comparing the tilted structure to the rolling of dice. A hole carved through the center of the mass further connects the horizontality of the plaza with the verticality of the adjacent skyscraper at 140 Broadway. The sculpture was intended to be the solitary feature on the plaza's uninterrupted ground plane. In 2013, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission recognized that the distinction of the 140 Broadway site is inextricably intertwined with the presence of this iconic red form.

Visitor tips

  • Look through the hole in the center of the cube to see how it frames the surrounding skyscrapers.
  • Visit during a clear day to see how the red paint contrasts against the blue sky and grey buildings.
  • Allow about 15 minutes to walk around the piece and appreciate its distorted rhomboid shape from different angles.

Nearby context

The Red Cube is situated in a privately owned public space on the east side of Broadway, nestled between Cedar and Liberty Streets. It serves as the artistic centerpiece for the plaza fronting 140 Broadway, acting as a human-scale counterpoint to the massive financial district towers.

Sources

Evidence and links