#Morphous by @lionelsmit in Union Square. This bronze sculpture by South African artist, Lionel Smit, explores the hybrid identity and ever-changing nature within South Africa's social landscape. Speaking of nature and landscape, @barackobama uses his executive authority to permanently ban offshore oil and gas drilling along the Arctic and Atlantic Seaboard by invoking obscure provision in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The law allows the president to withdraw portions of the outer continental shelf from mineral leasing, including leasing to drill for oil and gas. To read @nrdc_org and @earthjustice briefer on this issue, go to http://bit.ly/ObamaDrillingBan. Other recent executive actions include a rule that would bar states from withholding federal family-planning funds to healthcare facilities providing abortions and another round of pardons and commutations (231 individuals granted clemency in one day). This sets a combined record total of 1,324 pardons and commutations to date, according to the @whitehouse, recognizing the deleterious effects of mass incarceration. #lionelsmit #unionsquare #nycphotography #obamarocks #savethearctic #plannedparenthood #clemency #nodapl #socialjustice #massincarceration #artivism #artforsocialjustice #streetphotography #sculpture #artporn #rsa_streetview #nycprimeshot #streetview #art #royalsnappingartists #climatechange #nycparks #unionsquarepartnership #cynthiareeves #artmiami #artnewyork #venusinorbit (at Union Square)