{
  "id": 14304768,
  "title": "Art of Play in Brooklyn, New York",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/art-of-play-in-brooklyn-new-york",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-13T21:49:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Atlas Obscura",
    "slug": "atlas-obscura",
    "url": "https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/art-of-play-brooklyn"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the bustling borough of Brooklyn, New York, a unique attraction has captured the attention of locals and visitors alike: a mechanical bird named Molly. Housed within Art of Play, a whimsical curiosity shop filled to the brim with puzzles, games, and mechanical toys, Molly is a handcrafted automaton modeled after an American goldfinch. When turned, she sings and dances to the delight of her audience.\n\nHowever, Molly's seemingly innocent existence took an unexpected turn in October 2026 when singer Kelly Clarkson visited Art of Play. Clarkson alleged that a store employee had treated her condescendingly when she expressed interest in purchasing the bird, which prompted widespread backlash on social media. Art of Play responded by stating that Molly was a permanent fixture and not for sale, though a similar item could be purchased from the artist for $15,000, a claim that led to confusion and escalating tensions.\n\nThe situation intensified when a photograph surfaced on social media showing a $15,000 price tag attached to Molly, further fueling the controversy. In response, Art of Play's owners reportedly received threats and harassment, leading to a dramatic escalation in the dispute. In a bold move, the shop owners replaced Molly's price tag with one proclaiming an eye-popping $15 million, indicating their willingness to sell the beloved automaton for that sum.\n\nDespite the turmoil, Molly remained silent, carrying on her role as the star performer at Art of Play, a testament to her enduring charm and the captivating allure of Brooklyn's unique attractions.",
  "summary": "A tiny mechanical bird named Molly has become an unlikely celebrity in Brooklyn. She sings, she dances, and she recently found herself at the center of a very public feud. Molly lives at Art of Play, a unique curiosity shop on Atlantic Avenue filled with puzzles, games, playing cards, mechanical toys, and objects designed to make grown-ups feel like curious children again. The shop also hosts a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}