Mid Island on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
New Earth - Apocalypse Knowledge Advancement Unit (NEAKA), 2014
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 7, 2026
1. New Earth - Apocalypse Knowledge Advancement Unit (NEAKA), 2014 Marker
Tattfoo Tan
(b. 1975, Malaysia)
New Earth - Apocalypse Knowledge Advancement Unit (NEAKA), 2014
NEAKA (New Earth Apocalypse Knowledge Advancement) is a symbolic reminder of society's uncertainty due to issues such as climate change, population increase, and water and energy crises. Made of aluminum and standing at 18' tall, NEAKA is a call to action in the face of such challenges, forming the shape of a vessel.
A vessel is also a symbol of spiritual journey, and the shape of the vessel ought to work with naturenot against itby harvesting its energy. It sails through the sea, captures the wind, displaces the water in order to achieve buoyancy. Embarking on an expedition is to engage the unknown, with one moment being perfect stillness and the next a perfect storm.
As seafarers, all we can do is stay afloat to survive and surrender to the force at work; this sculpture is a metaphor for how to navigate life. In some cultures, vessels are the carriers of the soul. Voyages are often portrayed as allegories of a journey through life, or a crossing from the realm of the living to that of the dead.
NEAKA was featured in Heal the Man in order to Heal the Land exhibited March-December 2019. Heal the Man in order to Heal the
this page online
Erected by Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art at Snug Harbor; Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1975.
Location. 40° 38.649′ N, 74° 6.141′ W. Marker is on Staten Island, New York, in Richmond County. It is on Mid Island. It can be reached from Richmond Terrace east of Snug Harbor Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Richmond Ter, Staten Island NY 10301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Noble Maritime Collection (within shouting distance of this marker); Sailor's Snug Harbor (within shouting distance of this marker); Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art (within shouting distance of this marker); Staten Island Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); William Main Doerflinger (within shouting distance of this marker); a different
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 7, 2026
2. New Earth - Apocalypse Knowledge Advancement Unit (NEAKA)
Other markers no longer nearby. Visitor's Center & Galleries, Building C, Main Hall (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Staten Island Museum, Building A (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Randall Memorial (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 8, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
