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New Set of "Drips" Installed at Mark Ravitz's 200 Seventh Avenue
Monday, April 30, 2025 at 9:46AM 
I'd long been intrigued by the bizarre sculptures hanging from the windows of 200 Seventh Avenue, between Second and Third Streets. Multicolored and almost alive-looking, they're one of the cooler things to stumble upon during a walk through the neighborhood. I finally set to figure out what their deal was back in October 2010, when I got in touch with artist Mark Ravitz, who also owns the building. At the time he was trying to rent out the ground floor, and was using it as his personal gallery space (a MetLife Home Loans office has since come and gone from there).
Turns out the guy is actually a very accomplished artist and designer, and is probably best known for doing set design for three of David Bowie's tours back in the 70s and 80s. He also designed Studio 54's infamous Halloween parties. During the public art movement of the late 70s, Ravitz decided to get involved by installing some of his art on his building, which he also maintains a studio in.
Over the years seven separate styles of "drips," as they're called, have been installed (photos of them all are on his website, which incidentally also provides a nice visual history of what used to be in the retail space there), and the newest one went up on the facade recently. Light blue and goopy-looking, they keep with the organic theme; these ones even appear to have tails and horns.
Just one more thing that makes our neighborhood awesome.
Mark Ravitz in Storefronts
Reader Comments (15)
If only he were half as good at renting out his space as he is with art. Lord, that space has been vacant for years minus the couple minutes Metlife was in there.
Agree that this is a welcome addition to what can be a rather dreary avenue. Art in public spaces serves to enhance our lives. Thanks are due to Mr. Ravitz.
Wasn't the Colombian-owned baby store in there briefly?
Art Bazaar and the book store were my favorite places that used to be in that spot. I'm not thrilled that space is empty either, but, at least he keeps it in good condition unlike some other empty storefronts!
BTW, any idea why Grecian Corner is still empty? Or, how about what is going on with the clothing store that closed up, City Casuals?
The space last occupied by Grecian Corner is in a Co-op building and they are not going to approve a new tenant easily.
Actually, Mark and his wife JoBeth are very conscientious about renting out their space, and not only for the obvious reasons, so "prospect park" is obviously thinking of another space. The drips are always a joy to see, particularly if, as in my case, you know how much thought, creativity, force of will, and clear genius goes into making and installing these works of art.
I know this will come off as vulgar, but whenever I see any of the drips, it looks like...hmmm, how do I put this as gently as possible....evidence of a "good time" had by a very large peeping tom.
I'm not thinking of another space at all. I've lived here quite a long time.
The place was briefly kids clothing, and METlife for a few months and other than that it's been vacant for most of the last few years. It boggles the mind why someone would keep this prime location empty for so long. And, btw, anyone with eyes could tell that both the kids store and METlife were going to close the day they opened. Neither were needed. I know lots of people looking for space on 7th Avenue and I'm sure they've inquired, so what exactly is the problem here, Jackie?
And the drips are cool, but "clear genius" Jackie? No wonder you haven't rented this space. They are fine, but nothing genius about them. You need to get out of Park Slope a little more (perhaps up to the Brooklyn Museum?) if you think these things are "genius"
ProspecPark: I think they're quite beautiful. No need to disrespect someone who's just expressing their admiration of the building. It doesn't affect or hurt you in any way.
Calling mediocre work "genius" does no one any good. It's the reason America is filled with nothing but mediocrity. Everyone is told they are a genius these days and quite frankly, I see absolutely nothing genius about this. I think they're cool, yes. Let's cool it with the hyperbole.
Ok, let me rephrase: prospectpark, no one gives a shit what you think about this building.
Does the co-op building own the rights to that space where Grecian Corner was? They have full approval over it? So, they would rather have an empty space for years then a new tenant? Great neighbors that building is!
Agree with prospectpark - theyre not conscientious about the space. Laughable. Theyre charging a fortune that only a big company like Metlife could afford and that even didnt work out. That baby store was a relic from the 50s. Lets get real here. Just another greedy landlord only this one likes to flout his huge jizz art.
Genius? force of will? Good grief, someone's been smoking too much weed.
More like look at me everyone. Aren't I clever. Worry about renting out the space and not putting childish blobs on your building.