Manhattan Artist Turns Park Ave. Into Fanciful Garden

A strip of Park Avenue will soon look like a surreal, larger-than-life garden. Manhattan artist Will Ryman and his team will begin installing 38 giant rose blossoms up and down Park Avenue from 57th and 67th streets on Friday night.

The stainless steel, fiberglass resin and brass blossoms climb up to 25 feet tall and are painted in vibrant shades of red and pink automotive paint. The installation also includes 20 rose petals, the majority of which will be scattered between 63rd and 65th streets.

Ryman says he wanted to make the flowers gigantic so both pedestrians and office workers alike will be able to see the art. "It's like someone standing on the street looking at the same object as somebody on the 14th floor, but having totally different experiences," the Greenwich Village native said.

Ryman added that he got some of his inspiration for the project from the opening scene to the David Lynch film "Blue Velvet."

"The Roses" will be completely installed by Tuesday and will be in bloom through May 31. The project is supported by the Paul Kasmin Gallery.