Big Bambú: You Can't, You Don't, and You Won't Stop is being built over a period of months. Assembled from bamboo of differing widths roped together, it is being extended and becoming taller by the week.

If you booked and wore sensible footwear, etc groups of 10 or so were guided up the ramped bamboo walkways to an even more spectacular view over Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.

It got me thinking about what might be possible on the rooftop of the Christchurch Art Gallery, once we've added a third level to the Worcester Boulevard side galleries!

Another largely rooftop project was the Gormley figures based on the artist's own body. I'd seen these in London on the South Bank in 2007 and wondered how they'd translate into this substantially higher city-scape. A couple of figures at street level alerted passers-by to the project and maps helped to locate all 31 figures.

It may have been the effect of the New York skyline post-9/11, but compared with London some looked small and vulnerable; with others more assertive (and easier to photograph).

I loved seeing one atop the Flatiron building and noted that each building in the vicinity which 'hosted' a Gormley figure gained good exposure for assisting with the project in the brochure.

Both sites were quite unique and well worth the visit, even if - as with much good public art - neither gave itself fully to you without some imaginative effort and engagement.
Since I visited Chicago on the way back, I'll write again on public art some time soon.