A rhino statue appeared in Astor Place last month immortalizing the last three white rhinos on the planet.

The Last Three by artists Gillie and Marc Schattner

Not even a week after its unveiling at Lafayette and 8th Street, the only male rhino in the trio, named Sudan, died. The statue remains on display as something of a memorial to him and the species.

A reminder that we humans are destroying the world.

The artists say they chose NYC as the backdrop for this piece because of its visibility. They want this large sculpture to help the spread awareness about endangered species. I have to be honest, I knew rhinos were endangered, but I had no idea there were so few until I saw this piece.

It’s a strange work- why is the middle rhino upside-down? – but it is a striking image and absolutely making inhabitants of the concrete jungle think about conservationism.

Vulture has an interesting article on /The Last Three that covers some of the work’s criticism. Its an important perspective I never would have dreamed of from a pice of public art.