World Trade Center sculpture damaged in New York, artist files lawsuit

Metro

by Catian Boniello

A New Jersey artist says his “world” has been destroyed.

In a project he dubbed “XO World,” Daniel Anderson created a giant 12-foot-tall, 10-ton metal globe in front of the Freedom Tower, with a similarly sized Jack in his arms and fists. I made it look like this.

But the parts were damaged in transit from South Korea before installation in September 2021, according to a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court against shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean in September.

Anderson said in court documents that the process of installing the sculpture required “complicated planning,” including special permits and the closure of West Side Highway.

As soon as the sculpture was inspected at the pier, “it became apparent that the sculpture was severely damaged, including being chipped and dented,” Anderson claimed.

The artwork, which was unveiled a few days later, “required immediate cosmetic restoration to improve its appearance,” but Wallenius ignored Anderson’s attempts to seek damages.

He is seeking $455,000 in damages.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen declined to comment on the lawsuit, but the company denied wrongdoing in court documents responding to the allegations.