Flatiron District Residents and passersby have a real treat in store at “The Prow” – the marvelous exhibition space at the front of our own Flatiron Building that has become an exhibition space for all sorts of cutting-edge exhibitions of interesting public art.   Acting as a real-life diorama of some classic contemporary art, it shows a life-size treatment of one of noted NYC-inspired Edward Hopper’s masterpieces!  No, you aren’t seeing things – it really looks as if  “Nighthawks” has come to life right in front of your eyes, during your regular mid-day stroll through the district … check out Flatiron Hot’s Youtube video as well …

Notice those two old-fashioned folks sitting at a diner counter in the prow? Look familiar? American art aficionados will recognize them as transplants from Edward Hopper’s famous 1942 painting, Nighthawks. Installed to promote an exhibit of the artist’s work at the Whitney Museum on display through October 6, the original painting can be found on display at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Hopper described the setting for his piece as an actual Greenwich Village diner, although its exact location is unknown to this day. It is also speculated that Nighthawks drew inspiration from none other than the Flatiron Building, specifically the prow currently showcasing its life-size facsimile. Hopper spent much of his adult life in Lower Manhattan and was was likely familiar with the odd, angular structure.

Click here for more on the Whitney Museum’s Hopper Drawing exhibit