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Saturday, August 9, 2008

Now on Center Stage

International Center of Photography, NYC
Photo by myself in front of the International Center of Photography, at 6th Avenue and 43rd Street.

The modern black structure set in the midst of an urban plaza looks like it could be anything - part of a bank or a small pavilion.

It's actually the entrance to a photography museum, the bulk of which is housed underground. Besides exhibits, the International Center of Photography also holds classes, a lecture series and other public programs.

Currently showing are an exhibit about Japan, and another on late American photographers Diane Arbus and Richard Avedon.

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Tonight, Mark and I were mesmerized by the opening ceremonies for the Olympics in Beijing.

I'm sure many of you saw the same sequence, of 2008 performers acting in unison with astonishing accuracy. It reminded me of scenes from The Lord of the Rings, when gajillions of Orcs were being created; beautiful, synchronized and huge.

Not to say that China is that bad guy in the least. For the last couple months, The New Yorker Magazine has featured China somewhere in every issue. In fact, China seems to be mentioned more often than New York.

I don't blame them. The current situation is fascinating - the development and growing pains of an enormous country in a very public arena.

It's like standing in a plaza in the open air, surrounded by tall buildings. It's a lonely place. And all eyes are on you.

Related posts: On Six-Word Memoirs, in Print, Lost in the Crowd and Come and Get It.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Japan exhibit would be interesting. If I went back to Japan I would have a ball photographing the temples.

Meead said...

Interesting.

The opening ceremonies of the Olympic in China was wonderful I think, better than the Athens Olympic. It was Asian style.

JAMJARSUPERSTAR said...

Hmm, I imagine this must a place you like to go a lot - although it looks deserted! Is no-one interested in photography?!
Ciao

http://scarletsculturegarden.blogspot.com
http://jamjarsuperstar.blogspot.com

Patty said...

I was going to say myhusband would be interested in the Japan photo exhibit, and I see he left a comment.

Thanks for your visit.

Mom Knows Everything said...

I watched some of it and I thought it was great!

Kitty said...

Hi Mr Lincoln
if I have a chance, I'll get on over there. I'd love to see both exhibits.

It's a nice museum - small, not overwhelming, and always nicely curated

Hi Meead
Great that you saw it!
Whoever designed the event was ingenious

Hey Scarlet
I guess everyone is below ground?
I've only been there a couple times and should go back.

Thanks for dropping by, Mrs. Lincoln!

Hey Tammy
Cool to think we were watching at the same time!

Sarah Lynn Knowles said...

my favorite museum!

Kitty said...

welcome Sarahspy
Great to meet another brooklyn blogger! woohoo!

I like that museum too, but rarely go. It's a nice manageable size.

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