New York City, New York story
A Portal of Light
At the intersection of Astor Place and Lafayette Street, there's a memory of a bold experiment. In 1967, a temporary public art installation known as The Cube was placed here. It…
Read the story
At the intersection of Astor Place and Lafayette Street, there's a memory of a bold experiment. In 1967, a temporary public art installation known as The Cube was placed here. It challenged the traditional views of the neighborhood, bringing a sharp, geometric presence to the street corner.
While the city is always evolving, the story of the Astor Place Cube remains a key moment in New York's history of bringing immersive, unconventional art directly into the public's path. It's a reminder that some of the city's most impactful art isn't found in a gallery, but right where you're walking.
Updated June 2026