The High Line Plinth Presents “The Light That Shines Through the Universe”

The High Line Plinth in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards district has installed a new sandstone sculpture titled *The Light That Shines Through the Universe*. Created by Vietnamese-American artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen, the work stands approximately 27 feet tall and is intended as a contemporary homage to the Bamiyan Buddhas—the 6th-century colossi destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. The sculpture will remain at the intersection of West 30th Street and 10th Avenue until either fall 2027 (CNN) or spring 2027 (KabulNow), reflecting a discrepancy in reported end dates.

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The original Bamiyan Buddhas—locally called “Salsal” (the larger statue) and “Shahmama”—stood 53 m and 35 m tall before being demolished by Taliban forces under a 2001 fatwa. Their destruction prompted worldwide condemnation and UNESCO involvement; UNESCO later declined to reconstruct the statues due to insufficient original material. The loss continues to motivate international cultural-heritage preservation efforts.

Bamiyan Buddha-Inspired Sculpture Displayed in New York – KabulNowBuddha Sculpture by Tuan Andrew Nguyen opens on New York's High Line PlinthCNN

Tuan Andrew Nguyen lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City. His practice frequently transforms unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War into artistic media. Cecilia Alemani, director and chief curator of the High Line Art program, oversees the plinth commissions that have previously featured works by Iván Argote, Pamela Rosenkranz, Sam Durant, and Simone Leigh.

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The sculpture’s body is carved from sandstone cast and carved in Vietnam after a failed attempt to source sandstone from Pakistan. Two monumental steel hands—cast from melted artillery shells sourced from Afghanistan (or alloys from spent bullet casings transported across the Pakistan border, per KabulNow)—float slightly from the stone limbs on tall rods. The right hand adopts the Abhaya Mudra (fearlessness) and the left hand the Varada Mudra (generosity). The juxtaposition of organic sandstone with industrial steel creates a temporal contrast within the park’s concrete, glass, and steel environment.

Bamiyan Buddha-Inspired Sculpture Displayed in New York – KabulNow

Nguyen notes parallels between U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Vietnam, emphasizing material choice as central to his practice. The work was proposed in 2023 when the Taliban’s return to power and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine were prominent; its relevance has deepened amid the U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran. Alemani stresses that powerful public artworks acquire new relevance as circumstances evolve, aligning with the High Line’s mission to host works that remain “iconic” across contexts.

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Nguyen explained that the sculpture is meant to serve as a site for inquiry and memory, linking past cultural loss to contemporary conflicts. He highlighted the transformation of war-derived alloys into the steel hands and the decision to produce the piece in Vietnam. Alemani described the installation as intrinsic to powerful public artworks that become newly relevant depending on circumstances, noting the curatorial intent to select works capable of resonating across multiple temporalities. The High Line plans monthly lectures and guided meditation sessions, beginning May 16 during the Frieze New York art fair, to activate the piece.

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• “I hope this work becomes a site of inquiry and memory,” — Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Artist

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• “It wasn’t intended to speak about this moment, but unfortunately it does resonate with what is happening in today’s wars.” — Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Artist

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• “There are so many parallels between the US wars in Afghanistan and Vietnam,” — Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Artist

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• “It’s intrinsic to powerful public artworks that they become relevant or newly relevant depending on circumstances,” — Cecilia Alemani, Director & Chief Curator, High Line Art

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• “This sculpture creates a friction with the surroundings here in New York. It’s not sleek like everything else you can see here,” — Cecilia Alemani, Director & Chief Curator, High Line Art

Bamiyan Buddha-Inspired Sculpture Displayed in New York – KabulNow

• “According to Hyperallergic, the shine of these hands under sunlight conveys a specific meaning: the right hand is in the “Abhaya Mudra” (a gesture of fearlessness), while the left hand is in the “Varada Mudra” (a symbol of generosity and sincerity).” — Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Artist

Bamiyan Buddha-Inspired Sculpture Displayed in New York – KabulNow

Sources differ on the sculpture’s height (27 ft vs. 25 ft) and its scheduled removal (fall 2027 vs. spring 2027). Material provenance varies: one account cites melted Afghan artillery shells, another mentions alloys from spent bullet casings obtained via friends in Bamiyan. No explicit criticism of the work appears in the provided material.

Bamiyan Buddha-Inspired Sculpture Displayed in New York – KabulNow

The sculpture will host a series of monthly public programs, including lectures and meditation, beginning May 16, 2026, and will remain on display through at least spring 2027, offering ongoing opportunities for public engagement with themes of cultural memory and conflict.

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