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Driving uptown (yes, once in a while I have access to a car and actually drive in the city) I noticed, at a red light, a bizarrely rural and bucolic sight in the middle of Chelsea. What used to be a LukOil gas station up until what seemed very recently, was now an impressively landscaped abandoned gas station––complete with a hilly lawn, neatly trimmed bushes, and a white fence––without car access or paved driveway to the pumps. I pulled over to take a look, as well as some photos, and tried to get the scoop from the guard pacing the lawn. All the guard knew, or cared to share, (I imagine the poor man gets bombarded with questions by the minute) was confirmation that, indeed, this was an art installation and he pointed to the sign “#GettyStation” and said “Check twitter.”

I googled instead and discovered that 239 10th Avenue, where the gas station currently resides, was purchased by developer (and art collector) Michael Shvo who will be building yet another apartment building right by the High Line. During construction, Shvo has decided to use the space to showcase public art, with the first exhibit starting Monday, Sept. 16th, titled “Sheep Station” featuring sheep sculptures by the late French artist Francois-Xavier Lalanne grazing on the lawn. Shvo plans to continue with exhibits throughout construction and eventually integrate them into the new building. So keep an eye out on the corner of 24th Street and 10th Avenue in the coming year. For now, “Sheep Station” is due to be on exhibit through October 20th. Not bad for a construction site.

Top photo: Stefan Hengst. All others: collabcubed