Thursday, May 27, 2010

Memorialized

When the city seems impersonal and distant, all it takes is for me to come across a memorial to know I'm in a close-knit community.  My favorites are the ones done by street artists: a public display of love, affection and heartbreak created by friends and family.  In a city of 8 million, these individuals and their stories are not lost or forgotten.

Danny
RIP Danny

Falcon
RIP Falcon

John Paul II
Mural by Chico on E Houston

Nixzmary Brown
Mural by Chico on Ave C

EDouble
Columbia & Houston

Mommy Loves You
Mommy Loves You

Rest in Peace
Rest in Peace

Sonny
RIP Sonny

RIP Sonny

Tombol
Tombol RIP

Lilal
5th St & Ave C

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

In celebration of clouds

Today is one of those days where the pavement, buildings and sky are all one color:  Gray.

Blah.  It's as if the sky just ran out of energy and can't be bothered to do anything interesting.  So, here are some snapshots of better days, when I was dazzled by the artistry of the sky:

Brooding clouds over a mansard roof on Bowery.

Wicked

Late afternoon in Central Park.

Postcard view

Big Blue trying to blend in.

Big Blue

A spectacular afternoon over Lafayette and Great Jones.

Late afternoon clouds

An evening commute down Varick.

Split sky

A beautiful day at Snug Harbor on Staten Island.

Snug Harbor

Lunch hour on the Hudson.

Sailing on the Hudson

Something you don't see every day...

Keys & Clouds

Looking east over Soho/Chinatown during a crazy spring storm.

Storm over NYC

Monday, May 17, 2010

Feeling Blue...

It's been said that blue is the rarest color in nature.  As I searched the entire island looking for a blue jacket this spring (are we only allowed to wear black and tan?!), I found it's not all that common in the city either.  Crayola took a poll in 2000 and determined that blue is the most popular favorite color.  So, why not use it more in architecture?

Here are some of my favorite blue things...all are man-made except one.

First up, the controversial Blue on the LES.  I think its flip-the-bird shape and refusal to blend in with the neighborhood that keeps this one from being a local favorite.

The blue tower

Next up, an old beauty....a blue glass sidewalk grate.  They don't make them like this any more.

Sidewalk of the Stars

Butterflies in the entrance of ABC No Rio.

Butterflies

The Brooklyn Bridge and FDR Drive reflected in a painting down on the Seaport.

As in the old days...

Eyebeam Studios in Chelsea.

Blue & Red

Clemente Soto VĂ©lez cultural center.

Feeling blue

The eye that saw these things.

The beginning of a fog

Haunted



Abandoned, originally uploaded by Goggla.
Even in NYC, there are places left abandoned and in ruin. This is part of Admirals Row in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. These once-grand homes were built between 1864 and 1901 to house naval officers and their families. Vacated in the 1970s, they were left to rot, Nature literally eating them alive. Preservationists have long fought to have these beauties saved and restored, but as time continues to pass, hope fades and, at this point, there isn't much left worth saving but memories.

For some incredible interior shots, see these photos by Bluejake.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Things that make me go hmmm...

I'm not often bored, but on those rare occasions when I am, all have to do is walk outside and be instantly (and easily) amused.  Let's take a little walk and see what we find...


A lady taking a rest.
 

A non-stationary table.
 

Gnomes, of course.
 

A little old couple shopping for antiques.
 

Local wildlife.
 

A lamb cake smoking a cigarette, perfect for that special occasion.
 
 

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

It's not all gloom and doom



Wednesday evening, originally uploaded by Goggla.
There are days when the city feels hot, humid and oppressive. The sky darkens and sinks, dragging everything and everyone down with it. It's so easy to sail along with the flow, resign oneself to wallowing in the seemingly inescapable muck. Newspapers, TV, radio, internet news, the ranting man on the street...they all cynically remind us of all that is lost.

But, in an instant, that changes. No matter how black the cloud, light always shines through; the darkest night is succeeded by the brightest day; when the bottom is hit, there's no where to go but up. Even in a city of unnatural gray pavement, concrete, brick and stone, color and light prevail.