Space Invader in NYC: A Guide
/[UPDATE: As of Autumn 2024, sadly less than 20 remain in NYC. New York is a great city for street art, but also frankly lacks the respect for the art other cities have. Murals are tagged regularly, and lots of general vandalism. This unfortunately extends to Invader’s work, which is increasingly stolen or destroyed by selfish people who want to ruin something enjoyed by countless people, for their own satisfaction.
Given this, customized Invader tours are no longer available.]
Most street art fans are familiar with the work of French artist Invader. Taking his name from an early arcade game (and his style from those early 8-bit graphics), Invader began a global project in 1998 called Space Invaders, affixing tile mosaics to the sides of buildings. Today, his work can be found in large cities in dozens of major countries. He is one of the world's most famous (and still anonymous) street artists.
Invader has visited NYC several times and left behind numerous installations. Many, as happens often, have been removed, vandalized, or stolen. Know someone vandalizing these? Report it! My aim here is simply to create a list of all remaining pieces in NYC that I have personally verified... so that my fellow street art fans can enjoy them. If I am missing any, or if any are gone since I last saw them, please comment below!
A few of these are part of my street art tours. Contact me today!
Manhattan:
Lower East Side: On Ludlow St, between E. Houston & Stanton, look across from the Hotel Indigo, for a classic Invader
Lower East Side: Also on Ludlow, between Delancey & Broome, look up on the east side of the street for a crowned Invader.
Lower East Side: On Broome St, between Allen & Eldridge, look above the pizza shop awning for Leonardo of the TMNT.
Lower East Side: On Bowery, between Broome & Delancey, look up on the east side of the street for Michelangelo of the TMNT.
Lower East Side: On Lafayette St, between Prince & Spring, look up on the east side of the street for a flowery Invader.
Lower East Side: On Bowery, between Hester & Canal, look up on the fire escapes on the west side of the street, for a strip of Invaders.
East Village: On St Marks Place, look above Isabella for a mosaic of Lou Reed.
East Village: On Avenue A & E. 3rd, look up on the northeast corner for a classic Invader.
Chelsea: On W. 14th St, between 8th & 9th Aves, look up on the south side of the street for a large Big Apple Invader.
Chelsea: On W. 22nd St, btwn 10th & 11th, look on the south side of the street for a Pac Man ghost-style Invader.
Meatpacking District: On 10th Ave & W. 17th St, look above Artichoke Pizza for Donatello of the TMNT.
Hudson Square: At Pier 40, look on the south end of the building for a classic Invader.
Upper East Side: On 2nd Ave, between E. 94th & E. 95th, look up on the west side of the street for a flowery Invader.
Williamsburg Bridge: On the pedestrian path of this bridge, closer to Manhattan, just before the FDR Drive, look to the right on the tower. On the arch, there is a small Invader facing west.
Brooklyn:
Bushwick: On Troutman St, between Wyckoff & Irving, keeping looking up on the west side of the street for a tribute to Cost & ENX.
Bushwick: On Gardner St, between Johnson Ave & Randolph St, look up on the west side of the street for Joey Ramone.
Williamsburg: On Bedford Ave, by S 5th St, look up on the NE corner for a beat-up orange Invader.
South Williamsburg: At Broadway, between Keap & Rodney Sts, look above KidSuper for a classic Invader.
Greenpoint: At the corner of Nassau & Kingsland, look above the pizzeria for pizza-munching Invader.
Bed-Stuy: On St. Johns Place, between Utica & Rochester, look up on the south side of the street for a speeding Invader.
Any questions? Please comment below!
Found the map useful?
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