Annual Visitors Scorn Over 'The Vessel's' Interpretation; Consensus Evades Definition
A Journey Through the Vessel: Reflections on Manhattan's Innovative Symbol
Take a trip on the seven train to Hudson Yards. Once you conquer the seemingly endless escalator and step out onto street level, the Vessel is bound to catch your eye. You might be rushing to an orchestral rehearsal, engrossed in a climactic chapter of an audiobook, or lost in a riveting conversation. No matter the distraction, if you've visited Hudson Yards, you've seen the Vessel.
This 150-foot-tall metallic structure is a magnet for the wandering eye, drawing in passersby with its viscous, visceral allure. Intertwining geometric and eclectic patterns, the Vessel can appear as a tower of staggered ridges from one angle, and a criss-crossed labyrinth from another. Its copper color morphed by the whims of nearby clouds, buildings, and the setting sun, the Vessel is a spectacle to behold.
Visitors are often left wondering, what is this structure, really?
Greg and Kim, a couple touring from Long Island, shared their thoughts after ascending the structure and returning to the ground. "I guess we're at a loss for words," Greg joked. "It's beautiful, it's awe-inspiring." Kim, with her red and blue hair ribbons matching her shirt and Greg's Rangers hat, compared the Vessel to a honeycomb, filled with busy New Yorkers like bees.
Adam, a local resident, echoed Kim's sentiments during his second visit to the Vessel. "I like to think it's a beehive. New York City is always buzzing, it's got a bunch of buzzy people, so it's a beehive for the busy people of New York."
Looking at the Vessel's lattice framework from a distance, the structure does indeed appear reminiscent of a honeycomb. But upon closer inspection, the crowds scuttling across the upper levels seem no larger than ants, surrounded by the newly-constructed office buildings and high-end shopping malls of Hudson Yards - each also compartmentalized and bustling with people.
Is the Vessel a reflection of the corporate lifestyle ingrained in New York City - a shiny, attractive yet systemic symbol of the bureaucratic grind? Or does it embody the never-ending cycle of work, envisioned in the philosophies of Nietzsche, Camus, and others throughout the ages?
While these interpretations are plausible, it is important to note that the Vessel is a relatively young structure, having opened in 2019. The surrounding area, once dominated by rail yards, mills, and warehouses, has undergone an astonishing transformation thanks to the Hudson Yards development project. Beginning in 2005, the rezoning and building of platforms covering the West Side Yard marked the beginning of this transformation, which continued for seven years and cost a staggering $25 billion.
The area, now known as Hudson Yards, has been marketed as "a future that will redefine Manhattan." With over 4,000 new apartments and the creation of more than 55,000 jobs, the development has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the city. However, some critics argue that the project is overly focused on appealing to the affluent, with expensive housing catering exclusively to the top 0.1%. The public spaces, they argue, seem like afterthoughts, and the urban planning appears to be rushed and forced.
Despite these criticisms, the Vessel stands as the defining centerpiece of the Hudson Yards project. Its public reception has been mixed, with reviews ranging from comparing it to the Eiffel Tower to a waste-basket, highlighting the structure's as yet unclear purpose and meaning.
Natalie, a tourist visiting from Texas, visited the Vessel on a whim inspired by pictures on Instagram. As she explored the structure, she pondered its significance, reflecting on Hudson Yards' dramatic evolution in only a decade. "I think it's a journey," she mused.
Roman and Victoria, a couple visiting from Washington, D.C., celebrated their daughter's seventh birthday at the Vessel. Roman compared the structure to a funnel, drawing people in. Victoria added that it might symbolize the heart of the city, connecting and bringing together individuals from all walks of life.
The human body's largest blood vessel, the aorta, is over a foot long and transports blood rich with oxygen out from the heart. While the Vessel and the aorta share a somewhat similar physique, their meanings are vastly different. The Vessel, designed by British architecture firm Heatherwick Studio, draws inspiration from ancient Indian stepwells, interlocking flights of stairs akin to the structure's design. The Vessel has served as a communal gathering place since its opening, a beacon for tourists and Instagram snaps alike.
In the years since its debut, the Vessel has welcomed over 120,000 visitors in its first weeks, and tickets were booked solid up to two weeks in advance. More than 2 million people visited the structure during its first year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the initial success of Hudson Yards, causing the Vessel to close indefinitely in January 2021, after three young adults jumped to their deaths from the structure.
As visitors began to trickle back to the Vessel in October 2024, a few safety precautions have been implemented, including wire netting surrounding the upper levels and a requirement that minors must be accompanied by an adult. Though the netting might mar the perfect selfie backdrop, it has so far proven effective in preventing further suicides.
Today, the Vessel remains a bustling hub of activity. Tourists from across the country and the world converge on the structure, their fashions, languages, and cultures combining to create an orbiting, ever-changing kaleidoscope of humanity. The plaza resonates with the cacophony of a dozen overlapping languages, yet even the universal vocabulary struggles to articulate the structure's magnetic pull.
What is the Vessel, really? Perhaps it is a symbol of collaboration and unity during increasingly divisive times, a physical representation of the infinite number of perspectives that come together in a single place. Whatever it signifies, the Vessel's enduring allure is undeniable, making it a must-see attraction in the ever-evolving landscape of New York City.
- The Vessel, a recent addition to Manhattan's skyline, has become a hot topic in sports news, as it is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
- The critically acclaimed architecture of the Vessel has found its place in the spotlight, with several lifestyle and culture magazines featuring articles on its unique design and purpose.
- Opinions about the Vessel run deep, with some viewing it as a symbol of the corporate culture ingrained in New York City, while others see it as a testament to the city's diversity and unity.
- The Vessel's photogenic nature has made it a popular location for travel photographers, capturing its intricate design against the backdrop of the city's urban landscape.
