I will never, ever get tired of the stunning views of the NYC skyline from where I live. That view…read moreis one of the main reasons I love taking walks along the Hudson River Waterfront.
While I was in the Newport neighborhood of Jersey City, I spotted an enormous sculpture of a head overlooking the water.
As I walked closer, I learned the sculpture is called Water's Soul! It was created by world-renowned Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, and is one of the largest public sculptures in the New York metropolitan area. Standing at 80 feet tall, it's impossible to miss as you walk along the waterfront. The closer I got, the more I realized how massive it was. It was actually built in Barcelona before being shipped to Jersey City in 2021, and it's even his tallest public sculpture to date--knowing that made seeing it in person even more impressive! It's also Newport's first public artwork by an international artist, and it's easy to understand why it's become one of JC's most recognizable landmarks.
The sculpture depicts the face of a young woman with her eyes closed and her index finger pressed to her lips. It has a very minimalistic look with a smooth white finish, but the intricate details on her face and hands make it feel so human. It faces Lower Manhattan with a gorgeous backdrop of the One World Trade Center. The whole scene feels serene and peaceful... and that's exactly the point!
Water's Soul is meant to invite people to pause, slow down, be silent, reflect, and listen to the sound of the water--in this case, the Hudson River. Plensa believed that water is something that connects people and communities rather than divides them. It is the ultimate public space, origin of life, and universal connector.
As he said:
"Water is a marvelous metaphor; one drop of water is quite alone, like a single person, but many drops can create a tidal wave or immense rivers and oceans, much like individual people come together to create community, exchange ideas and build something incredibly powerful." - Jaume Plensa
There are plenty of benches and lounge chairs near the sculpture where you can sit, relax, and take in the views. I honestly think it's a beautiful work of art from every angle. I visited at night, and there was something incredibly calming about listening to the sound of the water with the NYC skyline glowing in the background. But I'm sure it's just as majestic during the day too. The area is open from dawn to dusk.
Getting there is pretty easy. If you're taking public transportation, both the PATH train and light rail stop at Newport Station, which is about an 8 minute walk from the sculpture. Hoboken Terminal is also within walking distance if you don't mind a 15-20 minute stroll along the waterfront. If you're driving, there are metered spots and a parking garage nearby, but... good luck finding parking in JC :'(
As a gal who loves all things water--oceans, rivers, lakes--as well as art and quiet moments of reflection, I'm so glad I got to experience this sculpture. Living and working in one of the busiest, most fast-paced areas in the country, I deeply resonated with the artist's message: SLOW DOWN, PAUSE, REFLECT. BE STILL. CONNECT WITH NATURE. JUST BE. WE ARE ALL ONE.