New public art exhibition in Midtown East explores what it means to be American
All photos courtesy of The Soloviev Group, unless noted otherwise
A new public art installation in Midtown East celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States with stories of veterans, farmers, activists, and other everyday heroes. Designed by C&G Partners, the nearly 7-acre exhibition, “Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US,” immerses visitors in 55 personal stories brought to life through striking visuals and interactive elements. Opening on May 15, the installation is located at the site of the Soloviev Group’s proposed Freedom Plaza casino on First Avenue between 38th and 41st Streets.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Daniella Vale, the installation serves as a prelude to the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. It also includes a short film by Donna Lawrence Productions, created in partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution, that provides a deeper historical context for the exhibit.
The exhibition aims to offer a close look at what it means to be American, told through 41 large-scale portraits, scenic landscapes, and engaging interviews.
Vale conducted interviews while traveling across the country, asking Americans about liberty, democracy, and what it means to be American. The result was a wide range of personal stories, a reflection of the nation’s diversity.
Yet across these voices, one common truth emerged: being American is not defined by birthplace, religion, or heritage, but by a shared commitment to freedom, equality, and the pursuit of a better future.
“Path of Liberty is a celebration of America’s enduring ideals of liberty, equality, and unity,” Stefan Soloviev, principal of The Soloviev Foundation and chairman of the Soloviev Group, said.
“By showcasing personal stories from across the country, we hope to foster a deeper connection between individuals and the principles that unite us all.”
“Path of Liberty” is free and open to the public every Thursday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged. From Sunday through Wednesday, the installation will be illuminated for viewing from a distance.
The installation is the second free public art exhibit to be presented at Freedom Plaza. In December 2023, the Soloviev Group debuted “Field of Light,” a large-scale installation featuring 18,750 fiber-optic stemmed spheres that shifted in color to create a dazzling landscape.
Soloviev is one of several major city players competing for one of three downstate gaming licenses. First unveiled in February 2023, the proposed Freedom Plaza casino complex would rise next to the United Nations and include a waterfront park, two residential towers, a 1,200-room hotel, and 1,325 housing units, with 500 of them affordable. The developer tapped Bjarke Ingels Group to design the complex.
The proposal also calls for a 4.77-acre park designed by OJB Landscape Architects that will be home to the spiral-shaped Museum of Freedom and Democracy. As 6sqft previously noted, the museum will have artwork from international artists, large-scale experiential installations, and historical artifacts.
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