A towering Buddha sculpture is set to become Manhattan’s newest landmark in 2026, replacing the giant pigeon statue known as “Dinosaur” currently perched along the High Line.
The pigeon sculpture near 10th Avenue and 30th Street will remain in place until spring, when a newly carved 27-foot Bamiyan Buddha arrives. Created in Vietnam, the sculpture will be installed along the High Line and displayed for 18 months.
Designed by artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen, the Buddha pays tribute to the two sixth-century Bamiyan Buddhas in central Afghanistan that were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. The work aims to honor cultural memory and resilience in the face of destruction.
Alan van Capelle, executive director of Friends of the High Line, described the sculpture as “a towering, 27-foot call to remembrance,” emphasizing the importance of collective memory and shared humanity. He noted that the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas resonates with many people today who fear cultural erasure and persecution.
The statue will be installed above the intersection of 10th Avenue and 30th Street, offering visitors a striking new point of reflection along one of New York City’s most popular public spaces.
