Revisiting the Vessel, a photo from New York, Northeast

Photographer's Note

In June I made a second visit to the complex called Hudson Yards on the west side of midtown Manhattan. This newly-built area contains a shopping center, office buildings, high-rise residences, and a performance space, but the most recognizable feature is the large, beehive-like structure known as the Vessel. It opened to the public on March 15, 2019. Created by British designer Thomas Heatherwick, the Vessel is 16 stories high. It consists of 154 flights of stairs and 80 landings.

During my two visits I didn’t actually enter the Vessel, but only took photos from ground level. Now it is closed indefinitely, but it’s not due to COVID. Sadly, this past July there was a fourth suicide from the structure. After the three earlier tragedies, the Vessel closed temporarily while officials tried to figure out how to make it safer. It was decided that visitors would no longer be able to enter alone, tickets went from being free to costing $10, and messages discouraging suicide were posted. Several experts suggested adding higher barriers to the edges of the structure, but the idea was dismissed. Currently, the barriers are chest-high, and visitors had been able to lean over to take photos or look downward. Arguments were initially made that higher barriers would alter the architect’s intended artistic vision, and change the way the public interacts with the structure and its environment.

Visitors were still climbing up and enjoying the views during my June visit. As an architectural work of art the Vessel is stunning, but, as recent history has shown, it can also be a sad lure to some.

In the WS is a closer view.

macjake, Fis2, jhm, pajaran, holmertz, PaulVDV, jean113, Royaldevon, COSTANTINO, ikeharel trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

macjake (98456) 2021-09-03 14:31

Hi Brenda
wow...wow...what can I say? i'm not shocked, dealing with Mental Health issues for the past 20 years in my line of work, this is not surprising at all. I often wonder these things...how many people jump from the Cliffs of Dover in Ireland etc etc etc....but this is so sad. What a shame.
I will never look at this beautiful structure the same way ever again. I totally understand the cities hard position in trying to figure out what to do. Stay safe!
cheers
Craig

Fis2 (170807) 2021-09-03 14:33

Witaj Brenda!
A very curious photos.
This building is impressive.
Good frames, composition and colors.
Interesting note.
Well done.
Good afternoon.
Krzysztof

Silvio1953 (221659) 2021-09-03 20:59

Ciao Brenda, great view of fantastic architecture, excellent clarity, wonderful colors, fine details and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

ifege (48135) 2021-09-03 21:12

Hi Brenda
I read recently about the problems with this amazing structure. Hopefully something will get sorted out but you would wonder why the approving authority and the architect didn't realise the possible risks.
2 good photos of it.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (147184) 2021-09-03 23:17

Hi Brenda,
interesting and original architecture, well presented, good photo with a perfect rendering, nice light management and good detial with people and the photographer ... tfs.

jhm (211736) 2021-09-04 0:00

Hello Brenda,

Never seen, this spectacular building but extraordinarily nice architecture.
Of course are the people a perfect addition to the scale.
Excellent sharp and clear photographed.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John

holmertz (102732) 2021-09-04 0:54

Hello Brenda,
It's a remarkable building so it's very sad and rather shocking to learn what's happened here. It will remain a marvelous sight with these shapes, colors and reflections (best seen in the WS), but somehow the joy is lost forever. Still, you got yourself a good photo with a lively foreground, a man in red surrounded by green and fine contrasts between the trees and the Vessel.
Kind regards,
Gert

PaulVDV (62944) 2021-09-04 3:58

Hello Brenda,
I have very fond memories of my visit to the Vessel, a great combination of a building, a work of art and a monument.
I remember during my visit it was extremely windy. That made the climb of the stairs a bit adventurous.
What you write in your note gives me a different view. It's so sad, first of all for those who didn't want to live anymore. But also because it's no longer possible to enter the Vessel.
The visit was a unique experience and you could see the building from so many points of view, inside and out, from bottom to top and vice versa. I believe I posted a photo of it at the time with four other pictures in the WS.
Today, NY is experiencing new adversity with disastrous weather and heavy rainfall. I hope you are well.
Your picture here is taken from a good angle and the sun reflects on every level.
Nice with the trees in the foreground and the many visitors. You took the photo just as the person in the red shirt was posing smiling for someone else.
Best regards, Paul

lousat (139298) 2021-09-04 8:30

Ciao Brenda,I don't know how common it is to commit suicide in your city, but in fact it seems that this building is an inspiration to those who decide to end their life. So now it's time to find a remedy. The structure is really original, with its polished bronze color and its really amazing architecture, very useful the WS which shows us a close view. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Tue (92402) 2021-09-04 11:53

Hello Brenda,
The architecture is truly amazing and futuristic and you captured it in such a fantastic sunlight here, which highlighted the contrast between the blue colours and the rusty reflections so well. What a pity though that it has such a sad story attached to it as well.
Lars

jean113 (27887) 2021-09-04 12:13

Hello Brenda, what a sad note.
It is a spectacular building and you captured it in the best light.
How did it get the title 'The Vessel'?
I like this particular point of view with the people in the foreground.
The w/s shot could have been a main post too.
Kind regards, Jean.

foxy (3461) 2021-09-05 1:49

Hello Brenda,
Wow! Stunning piece of structure design , The Vessel.
I think I would come everyday to Hudson Yards ... to climb up those stairs and the view to die for.
But not a view to commit suicide. It's so sad. As you said , it was the fourth suicider and why nobody saw that coming.
Well, I can say that more and more people are having 'suicidal thoughts' esp during this pandemic.
Anyway, at least you give us a picture of people having fun and enjoying the view ( WS ).
I hope one day that this place will open again without changing the structures too much.
Thanks for sharing this amazing Vessel.
Loong
p/s: Thanks for correcting the tilt. It was a pity and surprised to see there is no WS for uploading.
Maybe those days ... there weren't any.
Cheers!

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-09-05 3:40

Hello Brenda,

This really is a building which stands out from the crowd! Not only does it possess a unique shape but I love how the materials catch and reflect the sun's rays! The striped effect from the elongated windows add to its overall impression!
How sad that the building is gaining a reputation for the wrong reason! The architect will be dismayed if he knows!

The figures posing at the foot of the building create a very human introduction.

The w/s gives some lovely close details.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

GyurMaster (24838) 2021-09-05 11:47

Dear Brenda,

I have to say that this is some interesting building. Somehow it is strange even among the skyscrapers of NYC. The people in the fg. create a nice contra point by the way. I particularly like the gent in the red shirt and the man in the mask. He indicates that this photo was taken recently.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

COSTANTINO (116542) 2021-09-05 22:10

Hello dear Brenda and have a pleasant
new week
original version
reading the title without
seeing the photo everybody has
the idea ofseeing a vessel..
but this structure is
known as the Vessel
greetings to the British designer
who created the Vessel in 16 stories high
but me personally I wouldnt like to live
in a high construction like this one...
regards
Costantino
as the Vessel..

ikeharel (113385) 2021-09-13 2:31

Hello Brenda, happy new year to you as well.
There is no limit to the imagination of the archi.-designer with suprior technology to build such a magnificent building.
POV up-front the complex was superbly selected.
You were watched by the man (?) in red shirt...
Have a nice new week,
Ike

jmdias (115208) 2021-10-02 2:12

brenda

so sad a so beautiful and surprising structure is used for suicides. probably because they want a nice place to die, nowadays everything should be "showy".
surprising sample of architecture, even in NY where there are thousands of amazing buildings, this one got to call attention.

take care

jorge

mkamionka (74481) 2021-11-03 13:17

Hi Brenda,
It is quite shocking to realize that so many people take their own lives. I suppose using the art installation is a very unique way to do it. Extraordinary structure, very well captured. I like the people there, some seem to enjoy the area, while other just relax, maybe having a break from work.
Very well done,
M

pajaran (115941) 2021-12-24 23:56

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
lepo zelenilo i arhitektura, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i uhvacenuim trenutkom sa posetiocima.
Dobar rad sa lepom fotografijom u radionici.
Covid je sve promenio.

Zelim vam sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja