NEW YORK – Colorful eggs have mysteriously sprouted around New York City. I saw my first sitting innocently in the middle of the pedestrian plaza at the base of the Williamsburg Bridge at Delancey Street. It was the epitome of spring, and looked like it was covered in tulip petals, the curves separated by cool silver lines, painted by artist Irene Mamiye.
The next day I spotted another egg, inside Il Laboratorio Del Gelato on Houston. It was sprayed with metallic blue paint and in black, the tag of longtime Reading the Streets favorite COST.
In DUMBO, Curtis Kullig’s “Love Me” tag was sitting prettily against a bright yellow background. It was hard to say no.
Then, tucked away in the Elizabeth Street Garden, there was an egg with silver fangs, outlined in black for extra intimidation power. Painted on fangs of course, but it was a bit chilling to see a symbol of life and fertility with a dark side. Adding to the confusion, I initially thought the egg had wings, but on closer inspection, I’m pretty sure the egg is giving passers-by a thumbs-up. So not only is the egg evil, but it’s pretty happy about it. This one egg was designed by D*Face.
Where did these eggs come from? Was it part of a springtime gift from an alien race that happen to be fans of both dairy and fertility symbols, creating a new city, where pastels reign supreme, and everything is shiny, round, and vaguely sugary?
Sadly, no extra-terrestrials were involved. The eggs are part of “The Big Egg Hunt,” a citywide charity event sponsored by Faberge, and running until the end of April. The 275 eggs are designed by a different artists, are 2 1/2 feet tall, and equipped with technology, that, with the help of a smartphone app, will notify users if an egg is nearby. Once 10 users check in at a particular egg, it will appear on the app’s map.
The eggs will stay in their original locations through April 17, when they will be displayed at Rockefeller Center through April 25, while they’re auctioned off to benefit Elephant Family, a conservation charity, and Studio in a School, which gives public school students exposure to visual arts. Aside from the above street artist favorites, other designers include Jeff Koons, Ralph Lauren, Bruce Weber and Martha Stewart, among many others. Happy hunting!
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