Eric Ogden’s NYC backyard is home to 800-pound flamingos

And also you thought your yard had attention-grabbing birds.

Large flamingos have risen from the tiny yard of 1 East Williamsburg property, the place the proprietor has created a one-of-a-kind shrine to his childhood.

Standing 28 and 17 toes tall, respectively, and weighing 800 kilos every, the huge sculptures are Jeff Koons-inspired, actual replicas of the enduring 1967 Featherstone flamingo garden ornaments — magnified 12 instances.

It took Brooklyn resident Eric Ogden six years and hundreds of dollars to make his faux feathered buddies a actuality, together with $25,000 to crane them over his Bushwick Avenue residence and into the yard.

“I don’t contemplate myself an artist,” Ogden advised The Publish. “This was one thing that was not accomplished to promote artwork, to grow to be an artist or something like that. However I do assume in its personal means, it’s very pure. I did it for myself and for anybody who desires to get pleasure from it.”

The concept struck Ogden again in 2010, when he was first uncovered to Koons’ items of on a regular basis objects blown as much as cartoonish sizes. He thought to a formative picture of his personal childhood — the basic flamingo garden ornaments, which adorned the inexperienced areas he mowed in his south Jersey hometown for $5 a pop. The concept took maintain, and Ogden noticed it by means of years of economic and logistical hurdles to get it to the end line.

East Williamsburg resident Eric Ogden reveals off his signature 30-foot flamingo sculptures in his yard in Brooklyn.

Stephen Yang

Every humongous flamingo sculpture weighs 800 kilos.

Stephen Yang

Eric Ogden’s feathery buddies are craned over to his home.

Handout

Eric Ogden’s flamingo sculptures had been not too long ago painted blue and pink.

Stephen Yang

It took three years to acquire the permits for the birds, that are fully authorized and made from metal, epoxied foam and fiberglass — and made to face up to 150 mph winds, Ogden stated. He designed them himself, and constructed them with the assistance of Philadelphia-area makerspace Nexlab, and needed to restructure his lease as a part of the approval course of.

The flamingos had been put in in 2016, and painted from pink to blue in 2021 to match the unique Featherstone colours.

“Now everyone and their mom buys me flamingo issues,” he stated. “Some are helpful. I've flamingo sheets and bottle openers. However I even have flamingo salt shakers, and I don’t even use salt. My spirit animal isn’t even the flamingo, it’s the gerbil. I've an affinity for lawn-ornament flamingos. I've an affinity for this factor that was a part of my childhood.”

Eric Ogden shelled out $25,000 to haul over the flamingo sculptures into his East Williamsburg property.

Handout

Eric Ogden was impressed to construct his personal flamingo paradise in his south Jersey hometown.

Stephen Yang

Eric Ogden’s flamingo sculptures have grow to be an area attraction for Brooklyn residents.

Stephen Yang

Eric Ogden’s flamingo sculptures are handcrafted with metal, epoxied foam and fiberglass.

Handout

The jaw-dropping birds are native celebrities alongside Bushwick Avenue, even exhibiting up on actual property listings of neighboring properties. They make for a word-of-mouth sensations within the hipster enclave, and forged a wild backdrop for the occasional DIY occasions Ogden hosts, together with a latest pop-up comedy present.

Not everyone seems to be a fan.

“There may be one man now who lives behind me who throws an egg at me each time there's a occasion within the yard, even when there isn't any music,” Ogden stated. “However 99.99% of the time, the response is extremely optimistic and warming. I’ve run into individuals who say, ‘Please activate the lights extra, so I can see them.’ “