On Display at Atlantic/Pacific, Brooklyn

Photo by myself in the Atlantic/Pacific subway station in Brooklyn.

A major hub in Brooklyn has been overtaken by a temporary installation by MoMA. Now until March 5, the billboards have been replaced with large scale photographs and reproductions from the Museum of Modern Art's collection.

The Museum hopes to lure Brooklynites over for a visit to see the real stuff.

--
Several days ago I posted a a photo of the guerilla graphics that have overtaken the Atlantic/Pacific subway station in a big way. Dozens of steel columns have been covered with bold graphics announcing a forthcoming installation on behalf of MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art.

All the billboards in the sprawling station have been replaced with huge images of artwork. Color photographs have been mounted on lightboxes on the walls. The effect is both subtle and striking.

If you didn't know any better, you wouldn't notice anything different. On closer inspection, you notice that there are no words on images. No catchy slogans, no ad copy, nothing. It's just pure image.

Next to each art piece is the traditional caption showing the artist, name of the piece and creation date. You are in a public museum, of sorts.

Jackson Pollack splatter murals, Cindy Sherman self-portraits and Monet landscapes grace the walls. It's art as advertising, with the message that MoMA is art.

MoMA is Impressionism and Abstract Expressionism and photography. The museum is one-stop shopping, just a subway ride away.



Related posts: Art Underground, the MoMA Way, On Navigating the City and The Subway Platform, 59th Street.

Read more...

On Broadway

Photo by myself in Times Square, around 43rd Street and Broadway.

The other night in Times Square, it seemed like everyone was from another part of the world. I heard many different accents while walking down the street.

--
It's the perfect time to visit New York right now. We are going through a very mild spell of weather.

The last few days, temperatures have been in the 40's and 50's, making it feel very much like Spring.

Related posts: All A-Shiver on the Streets, What's Scrolling in Midtown and Brrrrrrrrr.

Read more...

Time for Valentine's

Photo by myself in Times Square, around 44th Street and Broadway.

It's hard to describe how populated the area is with large signs and lights. The illuminated billboards loom over the street on all sides. Fortunately for all of us, fluorescent and LED lights are extremely energy efficient.

--
We're in for an interesting week - Friday the 13th, followed by Valentine's Day and President's Day next Monday.

Times Square is prepared for the occasion, with a heart-shaped sculpture near the TKTS ticket booth. The sculpture will be standing for a limited time, only. Its creation was sponsored by a jewelry store chain.

For another view of the heart without all the people, click here.

Related posts: Uggs in Times Square, Times Square, NYC and East Coast, West Coast.

Read more...

On Modern Interiors and Mad Men

Photo by myself in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

The atmospheric glimpse into an office interior caught on camera some time ago.

Anything can be evocative, including fluorescent lighting, green walls and metal storefronts.

--
Speaking of office interiors, do check out the award-winning AMC television series Mad Men, if you can. Mark and I watched the first episode on dvd and were mesmerized.

I had heard the show mentioned on NPR for being well-scripted and staged. The 'Mad Men' were those advertising men in the 50s and 60s who worked hard and played hard on Madison Avenue in New York.

Mark works in advertising, and Madison Avenue is a term that's still used, though advertising firms are now scattered all around the city. Madison Avenue firms were the established offices that handled corporate clients, back in the day.

It was a competitive, hard drinking and cigarette-smoking time. And though the show presents its characters and stories in an unglamorous way, the screen manages to reek of glamor. If you're a fan of emerging modernism in fashion, architecture and design, Mad Men is for you.

It makes sense for a show to capitalize on American advertising. I'm surprised the idea didn't come along sooner.

Read what the Times had to say about the show here.

For the NPR interview with Matt Weiner, the show's creator, click here.

Related posts: Nearly Perfect, Not Your Average New Yorker and New York on TV, Coming Soon.

Read more...

The Dragon Parade on Mott Street

Photo by myself on Mott Street in Chinatown.

Festivities for Chinese New Year drew to a close in Chinatown, Manhattan.

With drums beating in the background, a dragon visits shop owners to chase away evil spirits. Mark and I ran into the parade on our way into Soho, Sunday afternoon.

--
Happy Monday, everyone!

Related posts: Night View, Canal Street, On Fish, Cats and Dogs and No Reservations.

Read more...

Art on Exhibit - James Jean in Chelsea

Photo by myself at the Jonathan Levine Gallery on 20th Street in Chelsea.

Many galleries in New York are housed in old warehouse buildings. The galleries are usually found together in Soho and Chelsea, however they are also on the Upper East Side and in Midtown.

People often take an elevator to the top floor, then visit galleries on each floor on the way down, taking the stairs. Private galleries differ from museums, in that there's no admission fee.

--
Mark and I visited a gallery in Chelsea, Saturday, featuring one of our favorite artists, James Jean. At only 30 years old, Jean has published several books of his work and has received numerous awards for his paintings and illustrations. Jean was schooled at the School of Visual Arts and now lives in California.

It was the last day of the exhibit and nearly all the art had been sold. People milled about marveling at the fantastic, huge images. On opening night, Susan Sarandon and Keith Carradine were in attendance.

Mark and I visited several other galleries in the building on our way out. We saw an assortment of folk art, huge color photographs, impressionistic painting and abstract sculptures.

I find visiting galleries more fun than traditional museums because you never know what you're in for.




A gorgeous detail from one of the paintings.

To see Jean's website click here.

Related posts: New Museum, The Bowery, Warehousing Art in Chelsea and Artsy Fartsy.

Read more...

Running Amok in the Streets

Photo by myself in Chinatown, Brooklyn on Chinese New Year.

Believe it or not, there are kids in New York City. I don't photograph them a lot, usually because they're under the watchful eye of parents or I'm in a rush to get somewhere.

--
You see children on subways and on the streets - small, precocious creatures with big eyes and an air about them.

Kids grow up quickly in the city. Before their first birthdays, they're yabbering on the subway, or being pushed in strollers on crowded sidewalks.

By the time they're ten, they know their way around. They've seen it all. Often I see them walking alone to school or riding the subway, unaccompanied.

Related posts: On the Sidewalk, Chinatown, One Dollar, One Dollar and Live, From Chinatown.

Read more...

Art Underground, the MoMA Way

Photo by myself from the Atlantic/Pacific subway station in Brooklyn.

Hyper graphics announce a forthcoming installation by MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art. From February 10 - March 15, special exhibits will be on view at Atlantic/Pacific station, one of the main stops in Brooklyn.

I'll definitely be there for photographs!

--
According to The Brooklyn Paper, the graphics are part of an ad campaign to lure Brooklynites across the waters to MoMA, on 54th Street.

Although New Yorkers live among great museums and institutions, it's a pity that these artistic venues are so expensive. An adult ticket for MoMA costs $20. Many New Yorkers visit on Friday evenings, where admission is free between 4pm and 8pm.

The same goes for the Guggenheim, where an adult ticket costs $18. I remember thinking several times before attending a special exhibit there a few years ago, which was even more expensive that the usual arm and leg required at the door. (Happily, I wound up attending and enjoying every minute of the show).

You can read more about the MoMA ad campaign here.

Related posts: Tales from Below, A Subway Transcript, Halloween Musicians and the NYC Subway and Subway Jam Session.

Read more...

On Columbus Circle and Le Cirque

Photo by myself of Merchant's Gate, in Columbus Circle at 59th Street.

It snowed again Tuesday, leaving white stuff in some parts and puddles of slush elsewhere. People walked around carefully avoiding the icy bits, Wednesday morning.

--
For all you food lovers, it's restaurant week in New York.

Actually, restaurant week (which traditionally spans two weeks in the winter and summer) lasts until February 27th, a while from now. This year the occasion has been extended to help stimulate the economy. Top restaurants all over New York offer prix fixe lunches and dinners at affordable prices.

At the famed Le Cirque, you can get a complete meal for $24.07 - as a main course, for instance, you can have divers sea scallops or a steak with French adjectives, like tapenade and confit. It is a gourmand's dream come true.

There are 250 restaurants participating from all around the city. For a complete listing, click here.

Related posts: Art for Public's Sake, At the Brooklyn Museum - The DIzzying World of Murakami and What's on the Walls Underground.

Read more...

In Full Color on Houston Street

Photo by myself on Houston Street, in Nolita.

A mural originally created by the pop artist Keith Haring in 1982, along Houston Street. The mural was repainted last year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the artist's birth.

--
The nice thing about art in the city is that it's usually done on a large scale. You have to compete against so much, after all, that to be recognized by passersby as art takes something.

Another nice thing about public art is that people talk about it later. There was a huge turnout for The Gates in Central Park, for instance, Christo's 2005 installation of orange temporary structures.

Everyone had an opinion about The Gates. For once, lunchtime conversation revolved around whether the Gates qualified as Art, instead of another discussion about American Idol. The fact that the Gates were temporary mattered - they were Art, but they were also an Event that was publicized and experienced and then taken down.

For a little more about the Keith Haring mural, click here.

Related posts: Art for Public's Sake, At the Brooklyn Museum - The DIzzying World of Murakami and What's on the Walls Underground.

Read more...

On Crossing the Street, the New York Way

Photo by myself near Columbus Circle, at 59th Street and Central Park West.

There's a lot to see, just walking down the street - people, traffic, bike messengers, dogs, lights, signs.

--
A friend of mine was hit by a bike messenger last week. Miraculously, she was unharmed but her cell phone was destroyed.

I've seen pedestrians hit by cars and bikes. None of the accidents were serious - all the pedestrians got up and walked away.

The cause for many accidents are the one-way streets. Pedestrians quite wrongly assume that a one-way street means that all the traffic is running in one direction.

Not so.

Often, delivery guys and messenger guys ride their bikes on the wrong side of the road. Hence the need to look in the direction traffic should be coming from, then to look in the other direction, then look again in the right direction, before crossing.

The savvy, neurotic New Yorker crosses the street unscathed!

Related posts: On Navigating the City, CDP Theme Day - Metal and Amidst the Rubble, 59th Street.

Read more...

A Careful Choice, in Chinatown

Photo by myself in Chinatown, Brooklyn.

Celebrations for Chinese New Year were going on Sunday, all along 8th Avenue in Brooklyn's Chinatown. Drums were beating while families walked about. Children purchased harmless firecrackers and silly string.

The boy above made his selection of Silly String after weighing his options.

--
For those who don't know, 2009 is the year of the Ox in Chinese astrology.

The Ox is known for being hardworking and dependable, which makes sense for our world situation. Hopefully we will reap the benefits of our hard work next year.

Related posts: Fish Market, Chinatown, Live, From Chinatown and On Fish, Cats and Dogs.

Read more...

Living in Style on Riverside Drive

Photo by myself on Riverside Drive, on the Upper West Side.

A photo from a warmer time.

There are gorgeous buildings here on Riverside Drive, facing west toward the Hudson River and New Jersey. Just across the street lies Riverside Park, which runs along the length of Manhattan.

Some buildings along this street are modern, but most are traditional. It must be wonderful to look out on the sunset over the water every evening.

Related posts: Warehousing Art in Chelsea, Hidden Treasure in the Village and Architectural Detail, Above.

Read more...

Cold Days in Midtown

Photo by myself in midtown.

A group of visitors order from a kiosk that sells sandwiches. The kiosks are outposts of 'Witchcraft', the restaurant started by Tom Colicchio, of television's Top Chef fame.

Meanwhile, cafe chairs and big umbrellas on the sidewalks will remain empty til Spring.

--
It is cold and windy in the city, these days. Everyone is wearing puffy coats or wool coats, scarves, boots, mittens or gloves, hats, ear muffs and long johns.

Related posts: The Curse of the First Born, Bright Lights, Big City and What's Cooking in Curry Hill.

Read more...

Entrance to Fifth Avenue

Photo by myself on Fifth Avenue, around 40th Street.

Between 42nd Street and 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue, it's not as ritzy as you'd think. There are a variety of souvenir shops and eateries. The Empire State Building is located on 35th Street.

--
I'm not exactly sure why I like the above photo...perhaps the long shadow on the sidewalk or the people coming into the frame to the right. There's a bit of movement going on, which is always nice.

TGIF everyone!

Related posts: Read All About It, For the People and Sleeping on the Job.

Read more...

Eco-Friendly, Cardboard Design

Photo by myself on West Broadway.

There was a sale going on outside this store in Soho. Taking up the ecological theme, Cardboard Design sells objects made from recycled paper.

--
They say there's a market for everything, and there's a huge variety of stores on New York.

You can get cheap stuff and expensive stuff, second hand stuff and stuff in the wee hours. You can get sample stuff that was worn only once on the runway.

And of course you can find loads of design stores selling the latest in material or technology. Even new stuff made out of old stuff.


Click here for the Cardboard Design site. They have some nifty kids things. Both the rocket and house are priced around $75.

Related posts: The Markets in Union Square, Christmas Windows to Warm the Heart and Buying in Bulk.

Read more...

Six Inches Under, in Central Park

Photo by myself just outside Central Park, on 59th Street.

An earlier photograph taken just after snowfall. Notice the snow is still pristine!

--
The weatherpeople say we're in for another snowstorm in the next couple days.

Ah, will it ever be Spring?

Related posts: Fall From Above, Shooting (Film) in the Park and Sundays in the Park.

Read more...

New Museum, The Bowery

Photo by myself of the New Museum on Bowery in Soho.

This relatively new museum is also called The New Museum. It houses new art from all over the world. The building opened in late 2007 and was designed by two Japanese architects.

The facade is sheathed with a metal mesh, a relatively inexpensive material. My camera caught the scrolling LED sign in motion.

--
And it was always referred to as 'The Bowery', never Bowery Street. The Bowery was a place you avoided, for its flophouses and bars. It signalled the edge of humanity.

I think it will be some time before the history of this street is forgotten. Currently The Bowery is home to some restaurants, many restaurant supply stores, a swanky new hotel, and the above museum.

Bowery still feels wind blown and desolate, not at all friendly. But it's getting there.

Related posts: At the Brooklyn Museum - the Dizzying World of Murakami, East (Side) Versus West (Side) and Now on Center Stage.

Read more...

The Guy with a Cat on His Head

Photo by myself, in Union Square.

A man walked around with his cat on his head Sunday afternoon in Union Square. Despite being windy and very cold, the area was crowded as usual. People stepped aside to let the two pass.

--
I came home Sunday after doing a little shopping. I told Mark I thought I'd seen it all - cats on leashes, rabbits on leashes, cats on park benches, people wielding pet parrots and pythons.

'Today I saw a guy with a cat on his head.'

'Was he wearing a hat?' I couldn't remember.

'Was there a leash involved?' I hadn't noticed.

On to Google, where we did a search for 'guy with a cat on his head'. We were rewarded with photos of this acrobatic duo in various New York neighborhoods.

Here's a video of the same pair on the Upper West Side, with Broadway behind them. The guy looks a bit hairier but it's obviously the same, stoic cat:



Related posts: Cats on Leashes, The Hills Are Alive In Prospect Park, Brooklyn and Out Getting Some Air.

Read more...

Night View, at the Carousel

Photo by myself, in Bryant Park.

You wouldn't think there'd be a carousel in the middle of New York, but there is.

For two dollars a ride, kids have their choice of brightly colored horses to perch on. The carousel runs all year round, even in the dead of winter.

--

Related posts: It's a Free Country, After All, On the Sidewalk, Chinatown and A Much-Needed Nap.

Read more...

Millinery Center, Midtown

Photo by myself of the Millinery Center Synagogue, in Midtown.

There is something very Old World about this building, and I can't put my finger on it. In black and white, it looks like it must have fifty years ago.

--
This synagogue near the garment district in Midtown holds ten Orthodox services a day.

The building draws attention to itself for its spare but elegant details. Outside, there is always a table full of linens for sale at wholesale prices. Yarmulke-wearing gentlemen hover nearby to answer questions.

I have yet to venture over to look at their goods, but now knowing their bargain prices, I plan to!

For a little more about the history of this fascinating building, click here.

Related posts: Meatpacking District in Black and White, Nearly Perfect and Decisions, Decisions.

Read more...

Lure Fish Bar, Soho

Photo by myself at Lure, a restaurant on Prince Street in Soho.

This restaurant/bar in Soho is just around the corner from the Prada store.

--
I dined at Lure this week, which was a treat. Their mostly seafood fare and drink never disappoints, and the interiors are an architect's dream. There is an attention to detail evident in the nautically inspired hardware and sumptuous surfaces.

What I love about this place is that it's partially underground. Large round 'porthole' windows reveal the legs of New Yorkers walking by.

I'm not a Sex and the City expert, but I can guarantee the girls dined and drank here. It's swanky and sleek, modern yet warm, and almost always abuzz with energy.

Plus, the food is good!

Incidentally, a photo of mine made it to another blog recently, Tasting Table. Check it out, if you need to find a good spot to eat in New York or LA.


A glimpse into the wood paneled bar. A huge opening provides a view of the sushi bar.

Related posts: Calling All Keepers, Taxi! and Cold Noodles and Hot Shows.

Read more...

The Day After

Photo by myself on the subway, the day after Inauguration Day.

On the subway, Wednesday morning, you could see coverage of the Inauguration in the Chinese newspapers.

--
We were lucky enough in my office to see the inauguration live on TV. It was a treat to witness a bit of history in the middle of a work day.

There was an audible gasp among my coworkers when the camera panned to show how many people braved the cold that day. (Most of us can't venture more than two blocks for lunch in the cold!)

Did anyone else catch the event live?

Related posts: Seasons Greetings from the MTA, Seasons Greetings from the MTA and Seasons Greetings from the MTA.

Read more...

Snowing in the City

Photo by myself in Midtown.

A photo from earlier this week, in the snow.

--
Related posts: In The Rain, Midtown, Riding High and On Radio City and the Whitney Museum.

Read more...

Snowy Seats on the Upper West Side

Photo by myself on the Upper West Side, around Broadway and 76th Street.

Big Nick's is a popular pizza and burger joint. You can sit along Broadway and watch a sea of people go by, while waiting for your pie.

I shot another photo of the place during warmer times, here.

--
It snowed nearly the entire day Monday, big white flakes floating down to cover the sidewalks and cars. Puddles and slush formed quickly.

You can park your car on most side streets for most of the week. Drivers usually have to move their cars one day a week for street cleaning.

The streets alternate days, so that you can pick and choose what day to move your car. Some cars will sit out all week, weighted down with huge canopies of snow.

One day this winter I'll have to find a good picture of this - the streets, the snow, the people trudging by, and the cars buried, as if hibernating until Spring.

Related posts: A Call for Help, Reflections Apres Happy Hour and A Dollar and A Dream.

Read more...

Now on Sale, in Midtown

Photo by myself in Midtown.

An antique store advertised it was closing its doors. Now is the time to snap up good deals.

--
There aren't many visible signs in New York of the flagging economy.

Some storefronts are empty, with businesses shutting down or shifting neighborhoods. Most stores, even the posh ones, are advertising sales.

With the impending inauguration, there is hope for a change. Someday, all this will be a memory.

Related posts: In the Rain, Midtown, Life at the Time & Life Building, Midtown and Bright Lights, Big City.

Read more...

Waiting for Dogs in Madison Square Park

Photo by myself on a warmer day, near the Shake Shack at Madison Square Park.

There is almost always a tremendous line in front of this Danny Meyer kiosk. You can get delicious shakes, burgers and Chicago-style hot dogs at reasonable prices.

--
Living in a city means competing with many people for certain things. By typical New Yorker standards, however, only some things are worth standing in line for. Some things aren't.

Chicago hotdogs at the Shake Shack are worth standing in line for.

Chicago hotdogs at the Shake Shack when you're starving, aren't.

Just about anything free is worth standing in line for.

Bars with cover charges aren't.

(For those who don't know, a Chicago-style hot dog is a steamed, boiled, or broiled all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, which originated in the city of Chicago, Illinois. The hot dog is topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, pickled sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt.

It seems more like a salad in a bun and is utterly delicious.)

Related posts: Dog Days of Summer, Out Getting Some Air and More is More.

Read more...

Shipping Out from Red Hook, Brooklyn

Photo by myself from the coast of Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Shipping cranes in the distance remind us that New York once relied heavily on its harbors. I'm sure the cranes are still being used these days but I have never seen them in action.

--
Today was extremely cold.

Much too cold to stand outside with any skin uncovered for more than a second. With the temperatures as low as 9 degrees Farenheit, even the most intrepid New Yorkers are being challenged.

Above, a photo from my stash, showing the rosy skies at sunset, from Brooklyn.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Related posts: The View of Liberty, The View of Liberty and The View from Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Read more...

New York's Near Miss

Photo by myself in the Village, around 6th Avenue and West Third Street.

A gaggle of teenaged asian girls assembled on a chilly street corner to chit chat and giggle.

--
As many of you in the US might know, the big news on Thursday was that a plane had crashed into the Hudson River.

And not just a plane, but one that belonged to a major airline. And on top of that, there were no fatalities.

The trickle of news started in the afternoon, just after the story broke. I received a couple emails from Mark and friends. Then coworkers started talking about it, ending with a group huddle around a computer screen.

A plane in the Hudson?? Wh-what??! A serious plane?! And when it was announced that no one had been lost, we were amazed.

It is pretty incredible to think that a plane made such an emergency landing so close to the city. Maps show the landing site in line with 42nd Street, in the water between Manhattan and New Jersey. To say that the incident could have been a whole lot worse is an understatement.

Apparently a flock of birds had blown both engines, resulting in a skillful emergency landing. All 155 passengers were rescued from the near-freezing water and survived.

For more about the incident, click here.

Related posts: Brrrrrrrr, Choose Your Tree on Sixth Avenue and We the People.

Read more...

Pulling Strings on the Subway Platform

Photo by myself on the subway platform at 59th Street, Columbus Circle.

A man wearing fingerless gloves played the erhu, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, Wednesday.

The erhu is a two-stringed instrument played with a bow, like a cello. Its sound has a singing, yet distinctive nasal quality.

--
You encounter all sorts of musical instruments on the subway platforms - bongos, violins, cellos, guitars, erhus. There have been xylophones, plastic bins, saxophones, and harmonicas.

Some people perform along with a background track of music or percussion. Others perform two instruments at once, like the electric keyboard and harmonica.

The other day I walked by a whole family singing a cappella into a microphone. They sang 4-part harmony and did a great job!

Related posts: Halloween Musicians and the NYC Marathon, All That Jazz and Music to the Ears.

Read more...

All A-Shiver on the Streets

Photo by myself in Midtown.

It is cold outside and will only become colder. Temperatures are dropping along the week. By Friday it will be 15 degrees Farenheit, with the wind chill making it feel like 15 degrees below zero.

Time to dig out the long johns!

--
Related posts: Brrrrrrrrr, Subway Sunsets, On the Ride Home and The Latest Thing.

Read more...

The Whole World in His Hands

Photo by myself outside Rockefeller Center, around 5th Avenue and 50th Street.

The architecture of this landmark is considered Art Deco, but its austerity resembles the huge Fascist building in Italy in the late 1920's. Dramatic night lighting makes Rockefeller Center an enduring tourist attraction.

The above statue shows Atlas, a character from Greek mythology, whose task it was to hold up the world.

--
Related posts: Sparkly Lights in Rockefeller Center, Making an Entrance, in Midown and Life at the Time Life Building, Midtown.

Read more...

A New York Mascot

Photo by myself, before walking the dog.

Here he wears his current outfit, a sweatshirt proudly displaying the New York City subway logo.

--
I admit this photo is a cop out.

I am not thrilled with my stash of photos, it was cold and dreary outside, and Rupert was dying to be photographed (just look at that expression of longing!). If anyone could be a spokesperson for New York City, it would be this dog, despite being a Boston Terrier.

Rupert is a true New Yorker. He befriends dogs of every race, gender and persuasion. He works hard and plays hard. He is smart, having mastered several tricks before his 6 month birthday. He is friendly but sometimes aloof, when focused on a squeaky toy.

Rupert wishes you all a good Monday. Go get em!


Related posts: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Unleashed in Long Island and Boston Terrier in New York.

Read more...

What's Scrolling in Midtown

Photo by myself in Midtown, around 32nd Street and Seventh Avenue.

Across the street from Penn Station is an LED sign I hadn't seen before. The news scrolls down a wall and along the pavement, zig-zagging its way down the street. Anything to get some attention.

Some days are windier than others. There are days when it feels as if my body were held upright by the oncoming, cold wind.

--

Related posts: Lower Fifth Avenue, Swimming Upstream and Confronting Reality on TV.

Read more...

Central Park, in the Rain

Photo by myself in Central Park, New York.

The different, intertwining levels in Central Park, the main public park in Manhattan, give it depth and interest.

Many footpaths that wind around, traversed by bridges. The main loop accommodates cars, runners, cyclists, horses, rollerbladers and pedicabs, and is about 6 1/2 miles long.

--
You wouldn't think that the above park is ringed with tall buildings and contains a zoo with polar bears.

In the summer, audiences flock to the park on the west side, near 81st Street, for free performances of Shakespeare's plays. Tickets for Shakespeare in the Park are free of charge, but you still have to get a ticket to be allowed to watch.

Well-known actors have been involved in the Shakespeare performances, which are staged by the Public Theater, including Helen Hunt, Sam Waterson, Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles. Celebrities have shown up in the audience too, to enjoy the show at the Delacorte Theater, an open-air amphitheater.

Tickets are available the day of the show, and each performance is usually sold out. I've been lucky to see several performances in recent years. I have to say the experience of live theater in the park with other New Yorkers is truly magical.

And, it's free!

For more on Shakespeare in the Park, click here.

Related posts: The Bandshell, Central Park, Prospect Park, Brooklyn and Shooting (Film) in the Park.

Read more...

On Taking Candids

Photo by myself on the subway platform at 59th Street, Columbus Circle.

A singer crooned for a captive audience on the downtown platform. These days, musicians perform in subway stations, on platforms and in the trains themselves.

--
Readers have asked me whether I've encountered conflict when taking candid shots.

Well no. Not yet.

The benefit of living in New York is that you can always pretend to be a tourist, which is precisely what I plan to do if the occasion arises.

There have been times when, taking a photo of people ten or fifteen feet away, I see a glimmer of recognition. Someone will look at me directly, and they are thinking, 'Oh dear, she is catching me on film'.

About half the time people look apologetic, thinking that I wouldn't want them in my viewfinder. Most of the time, people look down and hurry away. Very seldom do I get an angry look, which I find surprising.

It was remarkable to listen to Max Weber speak a couple years ago, at a New York photoblogger event. For the last few decades, he's shot gorgeous, striking black and white photos of New York.

Weber confessed that as a 6 foot-plus man sticking his camera in peoples' faces, he encounters a lot of aggression on the streets.

Perhaps it's safer to be a 5'-3" woman?

Related posts: Inspiration, Could You Keep it Down? and All That Jazz.

Read more...

On Navigating the City

Photo by myself near Central Park, at 59th Street and Seventh Avenue.

Cold rain came down Wednesday, making New Yorkers trudge through puddles or take cover.

--
Today I did what I seem to do every few months - I was discombobulated.

I'd emerged from the subway and walked west toward 7th Avenue instead of east toward Union Square. After half a block I figured it out, but it was a half block too long in the cold rain.

Usually, I'm a homing pigeon on the streets. If you've lived here a while, you innately know where you are - you get out of the subway, know which direction you're heading in, and go. There's no need to consult street signs.

What's the trick? Basically you must keep in mind the cardinal points (north, east, south, west), and that Americans drive on the right side of the road.

If you're standing on the subway platform, turn your body so the subway rail is on your right. You will be facing the direction that the subway is headed. This works in all cases except when there is an express train and a local train together, in which case, the local train should be on your right. The express train on your left will be headed in the same direction.

When you emerge from the subway onto the sidewalk, turn your body so the subway entrance is again to your right. If you were on an uptown train, you will be facing uptown, or north. If you were on a downtown train, you will be facing downtown, or south. The same goes with a crosstown train like the 7 or L, it works the same way. You will be facing your intended direction when the subway entrance is on your right.

The only time this rule of thumb doesn't work is when you exit a larger stop with entrances serving more than one direction, like Union Square or Times Square. But it works, and you can use the subway entrances to navigate while walking around.

Uptown entrances are always therefore on the east side of the street. Downtown entrances on the west. Streets radiate east to west with Central Park as ground zero - eastward are Fifth, Park, Madison, Lexington, Third, Second and First. Westward are Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and so on.

As far as addresses go, numbers start out at Fifth Avenue on the east-west streets and increase as you go in either direction. So 34 East 21st Street is close to the middle of the island, while 339 West 21st Street is near the Hudson River. On the avenues, numbers are low near the southern tip and increase as you travel north.

It gets slightly confusing uptown when Ninth Avenue becomes Columbus Avenue, and Tenth becomes Amsterdam. And then Fourth Avenue comes out of nowhere, and Park Avenue suddenly disappears.

But really, these guidelines should serve you above 14th Street. Don't even try to navigate the West Village and you will be fine!

And in case you do get lost, don't hesitate to ask for directions. New Yorkers are more than happy to help!

Related posts: On How the Streets are Numbered in this City, On Shooting (Film) in the Park and Sundays in the Park.

Read more...

Sparkly Lights in Rockefeller Center

Photo by myself at Rockefeller Center, around 50th Street and 5th Avenue.

I ventured to one of the most touristy areas the other night to get a glimpse of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. There were legions of people milling about taking pictures, ice skating and enjoying the evening.

--
It's the season for giving and hope. New Yorkers who wish to make a difference should consider The Fresh Air Fund.

I've always associated the group with summertime, when inner city kids are transported to camp, to connect with nature. Not so. It is always a good time to help children in need.

Families can also host children in their homes, so they can experience the suburbs or the country. There are also events promoting career awareness, like visiting different workplaces and classes regarding job skills.

By merely becoming aware of other possibilities and lifestyles, inner city children can take their first steps toward taking control of their future.

To learn more about this worthy organization, click here.

Related posts: Lighting the Way,Christmas Windows to Warm the Heart and Merry Christmas, All.

Read more...

It's a Free Country, After All

Photo by myself near Herald Square, around 34th Street and 6th Avenue.

Some visitors to New York encounter one man's demonstration. A man with a sign stood on a well-trafficked street corner, proclaiming his religious views.

--
I've written before that New Yorkers either offer their opinion quite freely or they say nothing at all.

Part of living in a city is encountering people of many persuasions, beliefs and backgrounds. There's no shortage of diversity, and diversity is another word for equality - everyone is entitled to his or her very different point of view.

In this city, you can express whatever you like, however you wish. You can walk down the street wearing next to nothing at all, and no one will stop you.

Hey, people may not even notice.

Related posts: Tibetans of the World, Unite, On A Public Mugging, or a Gimmick Gone Wrong and Peace to All.

Read more...

1 Central Park, at Night

Photo by myself of 1 Central Park, at 59th Street and Columbus Avenue.

What used to be the AOL Time Warner building, is now known as 1 Columbus Circle. A multi-story mall is located on the ground floor, with luxury shops and restaurants.

The condominiums at 1 Central Park were being offered several years ago. I read that studio apartments were priced at $3 million dollars.

--
Mark and I have been watching Hellboy 1 & 2 on dvd. Set in a romanticized New York, these fantastic movies star Ron Perlman as the title character, a superhero with authority issues. I recommend the movies for their visual grandeur.

There is something about New York which makes it the setting for so many movies, especially fantastic ones with superheroes. Besides Hellboy, King Kong, Spiderman and Superman also use Gotham as their home base.

With its share of iconic buildings, helpless mobs and a feeling of eerie surreality, New York is the sensible backdrop for good versus evil.

Related posts: Dusk Among Towers, Skating Under the Empire State and 42nd Street.

Read more...

On Radio City and The Whitney Museum

Photo by myself, outside Radio City Music Hall on 6th Avenue around 50th Street.

The facade of Radio City is an iconic image of New York. The building is home to the legendary Rockettes and other performers. Neon signage wraps around the facade, which is festooned with holiday decoration.

--
Sorry for such a cliched image, I could not help myself. I have a weakness for neon and old-timey lettering.

By the way, if you're a photography fan, you can still catch the William Eggleston exhibit at the Whitney Museum before it ends on January 25th.

I don't know tons about Eggleston, except that I'd like to know more. I first came across his images in a couple monographs that Mark owns - big color books filled with suburban expanses that seem so perfectly staged.

I also saw a documentary about Eggleston on the Sundance Channel. He was shown stumbling around, snapping photos continuously through the day, without stopping or reshooting a scene. He was intuitive and a bit weird.

Eggleston's images are not for everyone - the subject matter is banal, the vibe is eerie, the colors are the washed-out hues of the 70s. To me, these images are gorgeous.

Mark and I have yet to catch the show. There's only three weeks left!

For more about the exhibit, click here.

Related posts: The Arts - Live and on Videotape, Radio City and Rupert, Day Two and Neon Storefronts, Midtown.

Read more...

Making an Entrance, in Midtown

Photo by myself of a mosaic above an entrance on Sixth Avenue and 50th Street.

The Art Deco building above is one part of Rockefeller Center. Typically you enter the main open space off Fifth Avenue.

Rockefeller Center is the largest single real estate venture undertaken in New York, a whopping 22 acres of real estate. The skating rink in the middle is surrounded by open space, stores and restaurants. The area draws visitors year round.

--
I braved the cold and crowds Friday night to fulfill my 2009 resolution to be a more intrepid photographer. Generally I hate crowds, but I wanted to take night photos, and the best way to do that is to find a place with lighting (!).

Hundreds of people milled about this area Friday night, most of them from out of town.

Most were visiting the skating rink and Christmas tree, while others simply enjoyed the streets and holiday decorations. There were many kids and strollers outside as well, despite the weather.

Related posts: Bright Lights, Big City, Neon Storefronts, in Midtown and The Walls Have Ears.

Read more...

On Dogs in the City

Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

On a recent walk in Prospect Park, the trees were looking wintry.

--
For those interested in keeping a dog in New York, beware. A recent article in The New Yorker reports on the fear of dognapping on the Upper West Side. Little dogs are said to be snatched from their owners for a ransom, after their leashes are cut.

According to the article, it's not known whether the dognappings are real, but since the rumors began, there has been an increase in sturdy leash sales.

Typically, New Yorkers leave their dogs tied up outside stores or restaurants with a view of the street. Some restaurants and stores allow you to bring Rover in. On the subway, seeing eye dogs are allowed, as well as small dogs in carriers.

Related posts: Keeping Your Dogs in a Row, Shooting (Film) in the Park and Sundays in the Park.

Read more...

CPD Theme Day - The Best of 2008

Photo by myself on the Upper West Side, from earlier this year.

It's CDP Theme Day, once again, and this month's theme is the best photo of 2008.

Photobloggers everywhere were encouraged to either post their best photo from 2008 or reinterpret it. I chose to show an earlier candid that I took in July.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

--
Selecting a 'best' photo for the year was very difficult. Mark prefers this black and white shot of a crowd, where everyone is looking in different directions.

I share Mark's preference for candids - stolen moments on the subway, on the streets. There were also scenic photos of the city and its buildings.

If you have a moment, do check out the other participants in this month's Theme Day, by clicking here.

I do want to take this opportunity to thank all the visitors to this blog. All your feedback has been so encouraging. It's been a precious experience to visit your blogs, located all over the world.

I enjoy sharing this city with you all, and sincerely wish you all a happy and healthy 2009!

Read more...