Community rallies to protect Mosaic Man tiles on Astor Place

One of theiconic mosaics on Astor Place that will be temporarily removed this fall. Photo by Yannic Rack

BY YANNIC RACK | Famous East Village artist Jim Mosaic Man Power, has been rallying support to save some of his iconic lamp poles from being removed during upcoming restoration work on Astor Place.

Power, known for his East Village Mosaic Trail of tile-encrusted lampposts, has reportedly been putting up signs alerting passersby that his artworks are endangered, starting roughly two weeks ago.

The Village Alliance has been getting calls from concerned residents as well, according to executive director William Kelley, who contacted the city Department of Transportation, resulting in a commitment on the D.O.T.s part to salvage and store the poles until they can be re-incorporated into the streetscape at a later date.

Powers 9/11 tribute to the NYPD. Photo by Yannic Rack

The planned Astor Place redesign will commence this fall and see the temporary removal and storage in a D.O.T. facility of seven of Powers mosaic poles, according to an emailed statement from the city agency.

The D.O.T. is working closely with the artist Jim Power and our partners City Lore and the Village Alliance to incorporate the light poles into the new plaza design, the statement further read.

I had a meeting with Jim to tell him that we are interested in helping to save them, Kelley said on Tuesday, adding that there is no immediate danger to the artworks. He said the signs started appearing about two weeks ago, but that nothing precipitated that in terms of specific developments in the construction works.

Jim Power couldnt be reached for comment.

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Community rallies to protect Mosaic Man tiles on Astor Place