Photo by myself in Madison Square Park, at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue.
A group of people looking like they were communicating with outer space were actually communicating with their inner space, via meditation (!)
A placard nearby explained that they were members of Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong.
Related posts: Yoga, in the Rain, Balancing Act, Below 42nd Street, and Sun Salutation, East Village.
Showing posts with label Flatiron District. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flatiron District. Show all posts
Friday, June 12, 2015
Beam Me Up, from Madison Square Park
Friday, July 12, 2013
All Coiled Up, near the Flatiron Building
Photo by myself, around 23rd Street and Broadway, in the Flatiron District.
A striking metal sculpture stands at the foot of the Flatiron Building, at the moment.
A large stainless steel replica of the Met Life Tower looks like it's coiled up like measuring tape. The real Met Life Tower is just a block away, just beyond Madison Square Park.
The sculpture is part of the 'Park Avenue Project' by Alexandre Arrechea, a contemporary Cuban artist. Other parts of the project are installed along Park Avenue, each showing a different New York building.
Other buildings featured include the Empire State Building (coiled up at 64th Street), the Chrysler Building (wiggling at 66th Street) and the MetLife Building (balanced on a giant top at 67th Street).
A more straightforward view shows the MetLife Tower in context. As you can see, it's quite big!
Click here to see the other buildings represented in the project.
For a little more about the sculpture outside the Flatiron Building, click here.
Related posts: Genesis Mural, Soho, Mural, in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and 'Zodiac Heads', Outside the Plaza Hotel.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Ready for the Bike Share, on 24th Street
Photo by myself around 24th Street and Broadway.
Hundreds of outdoor bike racks are being set up for the Citibike bike share, to be launched at the end of this month.
The bike share has been talked about for a while now, and it's finally happening. Similar programs adopted in London, Paris and Washington have been successful.
I was skeptical about the bike share until now. After reading more about the program, I am hopeful. This is more a practical program for commuters, than an amenity for sightseers who might not know where they are going.
People like my fiance Mark will benefit the most. His office is located on the edge of Manhattan, on Tenth Avenue, long blocks away from the subway. Having a bike for just those few blocks during the dead of winter will be life-altering.
Taxis and other drivers can be very aggressive here, with little patience for all the pedicabs, pedestrians, cyclists and skateboarders. Riding a bike here is not for casual fun!
The bike share starts on May 27th. For more about the Citibike program, click here.
Related posts: Summer Streets, on Park Avenue South, Pedaling Around Midtown, and On NY Bike Tours and Real Housewives.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Mighty Balls, at Mad. Sq. Eats
Photo by myself, around 24th Street and Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District.
Happily reunited with my Leica, I took a short walk to the Flatiron area.
Mad. Sq. Eats is shorthand for 'outside eateries near Madison Square Park'. People were outside sampling street food and enjoying the gorgeous Spring weather.
Some thirty stalls offer foods, drinks and desserts. Friday evening, people waited in line for oven-fired gourmet pizza, cannolis, chocolates, bbq, ice cream...the works.
Strangely, there were several people walking around carrying watermelon drinks...in watermelons. Whatever was in the drink must have been excellent because the drink-ers had big grins on their faces.
Mad. Sq. Eats is only open for the month of May.
For more information about Mad. Sq. Eats, click here.
Related posts: Mad. Sq. Eats, in the Flatiron District, Serving it up from the Back of a Truck, and Pizza Pizza. Read more...
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Big Bird, in the Flatiron District
Photo by myself around 23rd Street and Broadway, in the Flatiron District.
A giant bird made of giant nails stood near the Flatiron Building, the other day. He carried a giant flower in his giant mouth.
The bird is 12-feet high, though he looks much taller. He weighs a hefty five tons.
Occasionally there is art in the open area near the Flatiron Building. Most of the time, the space is filled with tables and chairs. The open triangle is formed by the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, which runs on a diagonal.
This photo is from the stash. The bird was removed a couple days ago (!). I think I took this photo from the car.
For more about the sculpture, click here.
Related posts: Giant Bird, on Broadway, Giant Head, in Madison Square Park, and Charging Through Wall Street.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
After Hurricane Sandy, Outside the Ace Hotel
Photo by a friend, at Broadway and 29th Street in the Flatiron District.
My friend Christine took the photo above, Tuesday night, outside the Ace Hotel. At this point, she is the Manhattan correspondent for this blog (!). She took the photo on her iphone after charging it up outside.
This one lone block had electricity, post-Hurricane Sandy. All of Manhattan south of 39th Street has been without power, since the storm on Monday.
Folks were sitting outside, recharging their devices with a shared surge protector that was plugged into an exterior outlet.
Mark and I spent almost the entire day Tuesday, watching the news. We have been so lucky here in Park Slope, Brooklyn, having nothing of the terrible flooding that others are experiencing elsewhere in New York and New Jersey.
Christine lives in Murray Hill and is one of the thousands of people without electricity. She sent me a couple other photos from her wanderings:
Another view of the hotel exterior and people plugged in.
A tree had toppled onto a car around 31st and Third Avenue, in Murray Hill. Ouch.
The fruit section in this deli was picked clean. I'm sure there are zombies loitering in the back room.
I am so tempted to venture into the city, but...we'll see. Our Mayor Bloomberg has requested that people NOT to go into the city and increase traffic.
At this writing, all tunnels to and from Manhattan, except the Lincoln Tunnel, are closed. Bridges are open. Subways are not running.
The Times has an incredible series of photos of the hurricane aftermath. You can see it here.
Related posts: On Man V. Nature and the Gowanus Canal, On the Opera Collective and Hurricane Irene, and Wet and Not-So-Wonderful, Downtown.
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Lights on Broadway, in the Perfume District
Photo by myself around Broadway and 28th Street.
Broadway around 28th Street is lined with stores selling fragrances, wigs and beauty supplies.
Alas, we had a grey-ish, chilly weekend, here. This photo is from the stash.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Related posts: You Looking at Me? in the Perfume District, Kiosk at Night, and Shining Bright at Live Bait.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Peeping in, on 28th Street
When looking up from the sidewalk, it's sometimes easier to notice how different the buildings are that wind up next to each other.
A relatively new apartment tower stands on the far left. The building second from the right seems to have loft-like apartments, with high ceilings. The building in the middle looks to be a walk-up.
Part of this is because when you're traveling, you're traveling...and you have all day to enjoy yourself and take photos. Not so in daily life.
The other part is that looking out at different cities and cultures makes me appreciate home, and makes me want to invest the same energy into really looking at it. I'm looking forward to walking around the city streets very soon.
Today is Labor Day, which marks the un-official end of summer!
Related posts: The Ghostly Glow of Times Square, All Lit Up, at 72nd Street, and Peeping In, on the Upper West Side. Read more...
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Look, Outside the Flatiron Building
A tour bus stopped for a nanosecond in front of the detailed facade of the Flatiron Building.
You can see all the gorgeous stonework beyond. Meanwhile, a man gave me 'a look'.
Yes, it's been insanely busy as usual. I'm also off to LA on Thursday to visit Mark, who is working there on a project.
Photos will continue here, as usual!
Read more...
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Maitre D's, on Broadway
A little dog and some young ladies welcomed guests to Toshi's Living Room, in the Flatiron District. The little dog looks to be a Schnauzer and belongs to the bar's owner.
Toshi's Living Room features live music almost every night. The day I walked by, a jazz quartet was setting up.
For the bar's website, which includes a list of scheduled events, click here.
Related posts: Bright Lights, at the Beacon Theater, Twinkly Lights, at the Breslin, and What's Playing Around Town and at Home.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
On the Sidewalk, in the Flatiron District
I'm convinced that you see the same people in New York more often than you think, but you don't notice it because the people you see aren't generally noticeable.
The fellow in the right is certainly noticeable. I've seen him before wearing the same garb, in the same area. On the other occasion, he nearly got into a fistfight with a passerby.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
An Early Spring, in the Flower District
Photo by myself on 28th Street and Sixth Avenue.
The Flower District has been reduced to just a couple blocks in the 20's on the west side. I walked through the other day, and the tulips and fragrant paperwhites on display smelled like Spring.
Photographers, restauranteurs and decorators come here to supply their photoshoots and interiors. You can grab enormous planters here, too, along with small trees.
For those less successful with living things, silk flowers are available, ha. All the stores are open primarily on the weekdays for business.
Related posts: Living Wall, Lincoln Center, Matt Umanov Guitars, on Bleecker Street, and Open Spaces, in Chelsea.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Mad. Sq. Eats, in the Flatiron District
Photo by myself near Madison Square Park, at 25th Street and Fifth Avenue.
From now until October 21st, you can get your food on at Mad. Sq. Eats.
Twenty-some food vendors have stalls on the triangle of space outside Madison Square Park. You can get lobster, fresh made pizza, crepes, noodles and baked goods. The stalls are open between 11am and 9pm, daily.
For a list of participating vendors on the Mad. Sq. Park website, click here.
Related posts: Waiting for Dogs in Madison Square Park, City Portrait - BBQ Block Party, in Madison Square Park and Going Mad, at Mad. Sq. Mark't.
Friday, September 30, 2011
All Ablur, on Broadway
Photo by myself, around 28th Street and Broadway, in the Flatiron District.
Even on dark streets, you can find people wandering around until late.
This photo was taken Thursday night. It was nice and summery outside, perfect long-walk-after-dinner weather.
Not many businesses are open in this area at night, yet there is a sense of safety. I'm not sure where the line is drawn between 'safe' and 'unsafe', but a line definitely exists.
The same area must have been desolate and dangerous a few decades ago.
Related posts: Bright Lights, Big City, Columbus Circle, At Dusk and Under the Lights, at 54th and Fifth.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
You Looking at Me? in the Perfume District
Photo by myself on Broadway and 28th Street, near the Flatiron Building.
On a couple blocks along Broadway in the upper 20's, you can find several stores selling wigs made from human hair.
This area is loosely called the 'Perfume District', for the wholesale stores selling perfume, cosmetics and handbags.
This area looks sketchy, with lots of aimless men hanging out on the corners. It's perfectly safe, however, just steps away from Herald Square.
Related posts: Watch Where You're Going, in SoHo, Selling Stuff Streetside, in the East Village and Living in Style, in Williamsburg.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Giant Head, in Madison Square Park
Photo by myself in Madison Square Park.
A giant 44-foot high head has been erected in the middle of Madison Square Park. The sculpture is the creation of Jaume Plensa, an artist from Barcelona.
New Yorkers lolled on the grass nearby, enjoying the sun. We've been having rainstorms alternating with beautiful, sunny days with low humidity.
This sculpture is distorted in a strange way. I think the head is shaped as an oval rather than a circle. From each angle, the features changed in subtle ways.
For more about the huge sculpture, click here.
Related posts: 'Zodiac Heads', Outside the Plaza Hotel, Found Art, in Midtown and Homage to Warhol, in Union Square.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Boston Terriers Gone Mad, at the Mad Dog Run
Photo by myself at the Madison Square Park dog Run, at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue.
A meetup was held this weekend in Madison Square Park. Boston terriers and their owners descended on the dog run that is also known as 'Mad Dog Run'.
At least 20 nutty black and white dogs pranced on the pea gravel. Incredibly enough, our dog Rupert is not in the photo above. He must have been causing trouble elsewhere.
Boston Terriers come in different sizes and body types. Some are more gangly, bug-eyed, athletic or hyper than others. They all share an alertness and love for rowdy play.
The cutest dogs had to have been the puppies. Aboute 50% of their play wrestling revolves around head fakes and giving each other the 'stink eye'.
There's our dog Rupert on the left, emerging victorious. He leaves his buddies in the dust.
Related posts: Dogs in Fur Coats, on Madison Avenue, It's a Dog's Life, at the Mad Dog Run and Doggy Bag, on the Q Train.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Summer Streets, on Park Avenue South
Photo by myself at Park Avenue and 23rd Street, in the Flatiron District.
Is this a bike race about to start?
No, it's an event called 'Summer Streets' on select Saturdays this month. On August 6th, 13th and 20th, Park Avenue is closed through Manhattan, all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge. This is the fourth year of the event.
The result? Tons of people were running and cycling up and down Manhattan. The equivalent of 7 miles of roads were free of car traffic. We were lucky to have a gloriously sunny day.
Park Avenue is very wide, with traffic divided by a planted median strip. On Summer Street days, you can ride or run from East 72nd Street all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge. Above, cyclists waited patiently for pedestrians to cross.
For more about Summer Streets, click here.
Related posts: On NY Bike Tours and Real Housewives, Pedalling in Style, on Central Park South and Is it Art? on the Lower East Side.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Telling Tales, on 23rd Street
Photo by myself at 23rd Street and Third Avenue, in the Flatiron District.
While pulled over at a red light, I took this photo from the passenger's seat.
Two fellows were deep in discussion, Sunday morning. The young man on the left wore baggy jeans and was drinking a tall can of iced tea. His friend on the right sported a Spiderman tee shirt and multiple tattoos.
The awnings in the background are quite typical in New York. This ballistic signage becomes white noise after a while - you don't even see it, much less read it.
Related posts: 'Campaign Offices', Set in Midtown, On the Pricelessness of New York Delis and A Dollar and a Dream.
Friday, May 27, 2011
At the Bar, at Old Town
Photo by myself at 18th Street and 5th Avenue, in the Flatiron District.
Old Town is one of the few remaining old bars in New York. It is usually packed every night with business people in the early evenings, and kids in the wee hours.
As you can see of the bar, Old Town is not pretentious. You would never know it's located steps away from trendy restaurants and luxe furnishing stores.
Old Town has been known as a 'writer's bar'. Frank McCourt, Nick Hornby and Seamus Heaney used to come here. Some of their signed photographs are on the wall.
For the Old Town website, which includes their menus and some historic photos, click here.
Apologies for the delay in posting. I had a devil of a time figuring out what photo to show today.
I'm writing from Los Angeles, which is beautiful and sunny as usual. Some photos from our stay here, coming soon!
Related posts: Alone with People, on the Lower East Side, Before the Game, in Alphabet City and Over Drinks, in the East Village.
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