The High Line - Moynihan Train Hall Connector

Next spring, Manhattan’s High Line will gain a striking new presence when Tuan Andrew Nguyen’s towering Buddha sculpture, The Light That Shines Through the Universe, rises above the elevated park at 10th Avenue and 30th Street. Standing approximately 27 feet tall and carved from sandstone, the monumental work will serve as the fifth commission in the High Line Plinth series and remain on view for about 18 months. The piece pays homage to the Bamiyan Buddhas, ancient sixth-century monolithic statues destroyed in Afghanistan, and is intended as a powerful symbol of cultural remembrance and resilience. With its serene form and historical weight set against the city skyline, the installation promises to be one of the most memorable public art experiences in New York in 2026.