Image courtesy of @sewyoursoul

The latest creation by British artist Lucy Sparrow, titled “Feltz Bagels,” is an astonishing installation located in New York City. Comprising approximately 30,000 pieces of felt, it meticulously replicates the ambiance and appearance of an authentic Jewish bagel shop found in the Lower East Side neighborhood of New York.

Lucy Sparrow’s artistic endeavor aims to capture the transformation of this breakfast staple, introduced by Eastern European immigrants in the late 19th century, as it integrated into New York society and beyond. The bagel, Sparrow believes, is like a versatile Swiss Army knife when it comes to bread, Capable of accommodating a diverse range of fillings like cream cheese, butter, deli meats, and smoked salmon.

Assuming control of a vacant storefront in the East Village, Sparrow’s pop-up shop welcomes visitors on a journey through time, offering the genuine atmosphere of a traditional New York bagel shop.

What sets this establishment apart is the immersive experience it offers. Lucy Sparrow herself mans the counter, ready to take your order for a customized felt bagel, which can be yours for $250, while other felt food items start at just $10. Sparrow proudly mentions, “It’s the bagel that you order in real life, but I sew it together for you.”

This isn’t Sparrow’s first foray into converting classic New York establishments into felt art; she previously transformed a 1980s bodega into “8 Till Late” and a delicatessen into “Lucy’s on 6th.” Similarly to her prior creations, “Feltz Bagels” encourages patrons to interact with the art in a way that’s typically unconventional in traditional art galleries. Sparrow wants visitors to curate their own felt food creations, almost like crafting their own portrait using felt as the medium.

Every aspect of the recreated deli and its products, from baked goods to bagels, was meticulously cut and sewn by Sparrow, and it took her nine months of continuous effort. She estimates using around 400 yards of felt for this intricate project.

While not her largest installation, Sparrow acknowledges that “Feltz Bagels” presented unique challenges due to its complexity, with numerous personalized components and interactions.

The installation doesn’t stop at felt bagels; it includes various authentic elements like an antique cash register, traditional Greek diner coffee cups, rugelach, pickles in jars, a selection of baked goods, shelves filled with Jewish delicacies and comfort foods, and, of course, the classic black and white cookies, an essential item in any genuine New York bagel shop. Sparrow’s research for the show involved immersing herself in various bagel shops, gathering inspiration and transforming it into a vivid, technicolor experience.