LIC Taxi Cab Garage Becomes Alternative Community Art Space

Smithsonian-recognized artist David Datuna just opened a new non-traditional art space in Long Island City, and it’s not just the venue—a repurposed taxi cab garage—that’s unusual. Datuna is well-known for his politically-charged sculptures, which are often crafted from unique, reused materials, particularly eyeglasses!

His past work includes a rapidly-melting ice sculpture of President Trump’s name in Union Square Park in protest of the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, a sculpture of the Georgian flag constructed from hundreds of optical lenses, and his groundbreaking “Portrait of America” series which was the first artwork to utilize wearable technology in the form of Google Glass. Datuna’s goal for the space is to feature and support non-traditional works, pushing the boundaries of conceptual art in a neighborhood which has long welcomed outside-the-box attitudes.

Datuna Art Space officially opened on June 20 and is scheduled to host up to six events in a year, functioning as a community-focused space that welcomes walk-ins. On display now (until July 20) are the interactive “Cloning Eternity” sculpture, the flag piece from Portrait of America, and some of his signature portraits of figures like Michael Jackson and Steve Jobs, constructed with eyeglasses. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm if you want to check it out!

43-05 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City