Order a bagel and schmear at Feltz Bagels, and you’ll be fed an original piece of art

Order a bagel with a schmear at Feltz Bagels, and you’ll find yourself indulging in a unique artistic experience. Though not a typical culinary art form, these felted bagels and spreads offer a distinct feast for the eyes and imagination.

Lucy Sparrow, a British artist, has orchestrated “Feltz Bagels,” an installation that employs roughly 30,000 pieces of felt to capture the essence of traditional Jewish bagel shops that once thrived in New York’s Lower East Side. Her aim is to depict how this breakfast staple, brought to New York by Eastern European immigrants in the late 19th century, assimilated into the fabric of New York society and beyond. The bagel, she asserts, has become the versatile Swiss Army knife of bread, accommodating cream cheese, butter, cold cuts, lox, or any other filling that suits its circular form.

Located in an abandoned storefront in the East Village, Sparrow’s pop-up shop welcomes visitors on a nostalgic journey. It is open from Tuesday through the end of October, recreating the ambiance of a classic New York bagel shop.

Adding an element of authenticity, Sparrow herself mans the counter, ready to take orders for your dream bagel or your regular favorite. A custom-made felt bagel costs $250, with other items starting at $10.

Sparrow explains, “It’s the bagel you’d order in real life, but I sew it together for you. We offer six different types of bagels and 44 different fillings, so the creative possibilities in the world of felt food are endless.”

This isn’t Sparrow’s first foray into converting iconic New York establishments into felt art; she previously recreated an ’80s bodega in “8 Till Late” and a deli in “Lucy’s on 6th.” Like her prior installations, “Feltz Bagels” provides an immersive experience for patrons.

Sparrow’s intent is to compel people to interact with the art in ways not typically encouraged in traditional galleries. She wants visitors to curate their own sandwiches with minimal input from her, effectively transforming art into personalized portraits through the medium of felt food.

Each product recreation and deli item in the installation was meticulously cut and sewn by Sparrow herself, requiring nine months of round-the-clock work and approximately 400 yards of felt. Although not her largest installation, “Feltz Bagels” presented unique challenges due to its diverse components and the potential for extensive personalization.

The installation’s attention to detail is striking, with elements like an antique cash register, a classic Greek diner coffee cup, pickles in a jar on the counter beside rugelach, and an array of baked goods. Shelves throughout the store are laden with both Jewish delicacies and comforting foods. And, of course, no authentic New York bagel shop would be complete without the iconic black and white cookies.

Sparrow’s research for the show involved extensive visits to numerous bagel shops, gathering information from various sources and then transforming it into a vibrant, technicolor masterpiece. “Feltz Bagels” is a testament to her dedication to the craft and her ability to infuse art into the everyday, even in the form of felted breakfast fare.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Art Installation

More about Art Installation

• Lucy Sparrow’s Official Website
• Evan Agostini’s Photo Gallery of “Feltz Bagels”
• More About Felt Art Installations