Students who have been to Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, located only a block west of Stuyvesant High School, have probably seen the playful statues scattered nearby the tables and benches. These bronze-colored statues, which are collectively known as The Real World, were created by Tom Otterness, a sculptor known for his comical figurines.

Otterness, who was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1952, has had much of his work put on display throughout the United States and the rest of the world. His work can be seen in New York City, Indianapolis, Beverly Hills, the Hague, Munich, Paris, Valencia and Venice. In Manhattan alone, his bronze figurines are displayed on the clock in Times Square, underground at the 14th street subway station and in many other locations around the city. His largest exhibition to date, Tom Otterness on Broadway, was installed in 2005. The work, which consists of statues depicting various cultural and social aspects of life in New York City, stretched from Columbus Circle up to 168th street in Manhattan. Otterness’s work in Rockefeller Park was commissioned in 1986 and later installed in 1992. The Real World consists of an elaborate fountain decorated with pennies of all sizes. Rolling out of the fountain is an exploded penny that Otterness’s classic figurines are trying to roll away. Throughout the rest of the park pudgy little figures are seen climbing all over tables and chessboards as well as comically hanging off lampposts.   The Real World holds appeal for people of all ages, though is especially eye catching for young children.

“When you are a child, there are so many things that you find attractive, especially things with character such as the statues,” sophomore Lalita Maraj said. “The children are usually running around [the statues] climbing and playing around with their friends.” Maraj said.

“Having grown up in Tribeca, this park has always been part of my life. Otterness’s work provides a nice environment for parents to hang out while their children play on the grass,” sophomore Carolyn Dean Wolf said.

However, the importance of Otterness’s artwork goes beyond mere appearance. His work always has a more obscure meaning, normally too subtle for children to pick up on. The Real World, for example, represents many different parts of the New York society. His work is meant to depict the social strata of our community. Statues of predator and prey are meant to show struggle, while his other sculptures are created in such a way to symbolize blue collared workers, white collared workers, and radicals. Several of his statues also have sexual implications as well.

According to the Battery Park City web site, Otterness’ work “is a map that tells stories of the real world beyond the playground […] stories about struggle, lust, power, loss, humor, fantasy, and death. Otterness believes that children appreciate the direct manner in which the stories are given to them, without ever being told what to make of it all. It is the real scoop on life without the sugar coating.”

However, Otterness’ primary goal is for viewers to enjoy his work.

“It’s a simple language; it’s a cartoon language; it’s smiley, button faces,” Otterness said of his work in a September 2006 interview with the New York Times. “People aren’t thrown off by a language they don’t understand. It’s not a visual language you need a BFA to get.”

For more information on Tom Otterness, be sure to check out http://www.tomotterness.net.