New York Newsletter

Miniature Model and Giant Buddha

This week: a miniature model at MCNY, a giant Buddha on the High Line, Greater New York, and more.

Lisa Yin Zhang

April 28, 2026 — 4 min read

Decades ago, as a child, Joe Macken visited the Queens Museum, where he encountered its iconic model of New York City made for the 1964 World Fair. "I'm going to build one of these myself one day," he told a classmate.

He didn't get the chance until his 40s, but build he did — now, his 50-foot wood replica of the city is on long-term view at the Museum of the City of New York. Read Monica Uscerowicz's lovely profile of the man with the model below.

This week's newsletter is a tale of two scales — what's the opposite of a mini New York? Maybe "Greater New York"? Read our thoughts on the works we loved, the ones we didn't like so much, and what we're still thinking through below, or check out our general thoughts.

Or how about "giant New York"? Sculptor Tuan Andrew Nguyen just landed a towering Buddha on the High Line that rivals the slick high-rises surrounding it. Staff Writer Rhea Nayyar takes you inside the process — and it sure is a process, involving sourcing Afghan brass and carving Vietnamese sandstone — below.

A visitor at *He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model* (photo Filip Wolak, courtesy the Museum of the City of New York)

Joe Macken Spent 22 Years Building a Miniature New York by Hand

“It’s a lifelong project,” he said. “I’ll never, ever, ever be finished with it.” | Monica Uszerowicz

CONDUCTOR Is New York’s First Art Fair Committed to the Global Majority

From April 30 to May 3, discover 27 galleries and 17 special projects spotlighting artists from across the world at Powerhouse Arts in Brooklyn.

Learn more

Supersized New York

Tuan Andrew Nguyen’s “The Light That Shines Through the Universe” (2026) glimmers warmly on the High Line plinth (photo Rhea Nayyar/*Hyperallergic*)

A Buddha Is Reborn on the High Line

Tuan Andrew Nguyen’s sandstone and brass take on the destroyed Bamiyan Buddhas reminds passersby that history repeats. | Rhea Nayyar

What We Loved (And Didn’t) in “Greater New York”

Plus, the works we’re on the fence about in the massive MoMA PS1 survey. | Hrag Vartanian, Hakim Bishara, Lisa Yin Zhang, Rhea Nayyar

MoMA PS1’s “Greater New York” Is Gritty, Stunning, and Gutting

The survey, which happens every five years, rejects the out-of-towner’s glossy surfaces in favor of the view from inside. | Hrag Vartanian, Lisa Yin Zhang, Rhea Nayyar

Quirky New York

The Gallery is a new experimental artist-run exhibition and co-working space. (photo Aaron Short/*Hyperallergic*)

Co-Working Meets Art at Brooklyn’s Newest Experimental Space

Art hangs on cubicle walls and utility closets at The Gallery, an exhibition space housed in a former guitar string-maker’s office, writes Aaron Short. There’ll also be a screening of artists’ works on April 28, and you can sign up for co-working spots for free — limit 10 per day.

From Our Critics

Detail of Mark Milroy, “Still Life with Poodle and Portraits” (2026), oil on canvas (photo courtesy JJ Murphy)

John Yau

Mark Milroy: JUMBO at JJ Murphy

"The interplay between his colored pencil drawings and paintings and the directness of his marks is notable at a time when faux awkwardness mixed with irony has become commonplace."

Read the full review

Natalie Haddad

Kim Gordon: Count Your Chickens  at Amant

"It places her among peers and collaborators who privilege creative exploration over fame, in a sonic and visual world that she can call home."