7 Photos
Tony Rosenthal, "Cube 72," 1972. Painted CorTen Steel. 90" x 90" x 90." Gift of the artist. COURTESY GUILD HALL
The Astor Place Cube (also known as the Alamo) was created in 1967 by sculptor Tony Rosenthal (1914-2009), who lived in Southampton. © THE ESTATE OF TONY ROSENTHAL 2023
Tony Rosenthal "Lovers," brushed aluminum relief sculpture juxtaposed geometric forms. COURTESY ROLAND NY
Tony Rosenthal sculpture "Big Red." Welded and painted aluminum, free standing lattice. COURTESY ROLAND NY
"Alamo," Astor Place cube by Tony Rosenthal, circa 1967. COURTESY ROLAND NY
Tony Rosenthal "A Ring For Stravinsky," wood construction with steel bolts. COURTESY ROLAND NY
"Untitled" (Tony Rosenthal's Cube). Polished bronze variation on the artist's iconic cube sculptures, signed, circa 2008.
In November of last year, Guild Hall announced the reinstallation of Tony Rosenthal’s “Cube 72,” which spins on its axis and, according to Melanie Crader, the museum’s director of visual arts, was commissioned for Guild Hall. The sculpture, which appears to defy gravity, was acquired in 1972 and spun on the Guild Hall property for nearly 11 years, said Crader in an interview.
Rosenthal, a resident of both East Hampton and Southampton, died in July 2009. But his estate actively promotes the installation of his work. Upon her arrival at Guild Hall last May, Crader learned from Guild Hall’s director Andrea Grover that Dave Petrie, CEO of the Tony Rosenthal Estate, was interested in the state of the sculpture.
“And so, he offered to restore it for us,” Crader said.
Prior to the restoration of “Cube 72,” Petrie had just finished restoring “The Alamo 1967,” Rosenthal’s most well-known sculpture, which lives at the south exit of the Astor Place subway station in Manhattan. “The Alamo 1967,” a 15-foot-high rotating sculpture, was the first permanent contemporary outdoor sculpture acquired by the City of New York, and “Cube 72” at Guild Hall is a recreation of the Astor Place sculpture, but nearly half its size.
“The Alamo” has been off view a couple of times in recent years, most recently in 2021 after the spinning mechanism was discovered to be broken. The sculpture was removed for repairs in May 2023 and returned to its Astor Place home as of August, where it spins once more.
Similarly, the restored spinning sculpture “Cube 72” has been restored by Liberty Iron Works and was reinstalled on Guild Hall’s front lawn on November 21. It has been a sight for the community ever since.
“One morning I got to work, and I was walking in front of the building and then to the back by the staff entrance, and there was this guy that was walking, he didn’t even stop from his stride,” Crader said. “He walked, he spun it, and just kept walking, which was really interesting, you know?
“While he didn’t stop, he took that moment, a little divergent from his walk, and still interacted with it, which I thought was really interesting,” she added. “Even though he didn’t stop to see it spin, everyone in the area could still enjoy the spin, and see how the work changes when it spins.”
For younger generations who may not have seen Rosenthal’s masterpiece in Manhattan, they’re welcome to join the fun in East Hampton. According to Crader, Anthony Madonna, the Patti Kenner director of learning and new works at Guild Hall, is said to bring students to the site during school tours.
For those who can’t make it to Guild Hall during their open hours, or are just passing by, they too can see — and spin — the sculpture.
“It allows for an audience to see it either passing by, or to make a trip, and it can be on their own schedule,” Crader said. “For me, public art is like a gift to the community, and it makes it very accessible, and I like that about public art.”
“Cube 72” by Tony Rosenthal is on view to the public in front of Guild Hall, 158 Main Street in East Hampton.
