The Sun- Public Art Installation at Doris Freedman Plaza

4 Miles rouns trip to the Doris Freedman plaza on 59th St. /5th Ave. - walking through the park:

NOW ON VIEW: Monira Al Qadiri’s "First Sun" is now on view at Doris C. Freedman Plaza in Central Park through August 2, 2026. This large-scale sculpture is Al Qadiri's first public artwork and first institutional presentation in New York City.

The majestic painted aluminum sculpture of a hybrid human-scarab figure reimagines the ancient Egyptian deity Khepri—god of the rising sun—as a contemporary monument. At a towering 17 feet tall atop its base and resplendent in purple and green hues, the sculpture reflects Al Qadiri’s interest in how humanity explores the unknown through science, religion, mythology, and art.

Al Qadiri was inspired by a painting inside the Tomb of Ramses I in Luxor, Egypt, which depicted a figure with a scarab beetle face. This stunning image led the artist to explore the blending of human and insect forms as a symbol of the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world.

Monira Al Qadiri (b. 1983) is a Kuwaiti visual artist born in Senegal, educated in Japan, and currently based in Berlin. Her work spans sculpture, film, and performance, exploring themes of history, petro-cultures, science fiction, and the divine. Her practice often bridges personal narrative and cultural critique, employing unexpected materials and forms to reframe global conversations on identity, industry, and the natural world.

We’re the NYC Chapter of Ever Walk – an international movement to encourage people to walk together to enhance physical and mental health. Founded by one of the greatest women athletes of our time, Diana Nyad, and her coach and friend, Bonnie Stoll. Diana swam from Cuba to Florida in shark infested waters without a shark cage - check the movie NYAD on Netflix if you want to be inspired!

The Basics

• DISTANCE: About 4 miles round trip.
• START: Meet at 9:55am and leave right after instructions and announcements. We really do!
• DURATION: About 2 hours.
• PACE: 23 minute mile conversational pace. If you can walk a city block in about a minute and a half, that’s our pace.
• PATHS: Mainly on a mixture of dirt and asphalt paths with small rolling hills, and sometimes wooded trails and steps.
• MEETUP SPOT: Start and finish in the same Central Park location every week on the Bridle Path (dirt path) - enter the park from 90th St. & 5th Ave. and cross the road with runners and cyclists. Look for 30-50 smiling faces in front of the John Purroy Mitchel Monument on the stone wall below the reservoir.
• WEATHER: We walk rain or shine!
• BATHROOMS: On your own. No stops.
• RELEASE: If you participate in a walk you are responsible for yourself and agree not to hold the EverWalk organization, its leaders or members liable in any way for any injuries or damage which may occur as a result of your participation.

The Vibe

• FRIENDLY: All are welcome! 🏳️‍🌈
• FUN: Every walk is an adventure. We acknowledge special park events, celebrate national awareness days when we can and explore different parts of the park.
• DOGS: On leash dogs that are dog and people friendly are welcome to join.
• SOCIAL: We take pics and make reels and post on social media.

Walk Announcements: Find us on Meetup, Facebook, Next Door, Patch News Events (Central Park and the Upper East Side), The West Side Rag, Instagram, and TikTok.

Links:
Merch: https://shop.everwalk.com/collections/print-on-demand-products?page=2

Can't wait to walk with you!
Ann Marie