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
Falcon
John Paul II
Nixzmary Brown
EDouble
Mommy Loves You
Rest in Peace
Sonny
Tombol
Lilal
Join us as we chronicle the lives of East Village red-tailed hawks, Christo, Amelia, and Dora, as well as other New York City wildlife.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
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:
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.
Late afternoon in Central Park.
Big Blue trying to blend in.
A spectacular afternoon over Lafayette and Great Jones.
An evening commute down Varick.
A beautiful day at Snug Harbor on Staten Island.
Lunch hour on the Hudson.
Something you don't see every day...
Looking east over Soho/Chinatown during a crazy spring storm.
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.
Next up, an old beauty....a blue glass sidewalk grate. They don't make them like this any more.
Butterflies in the entrance of ABC No Rio.
The Brooklyn Bridge and FDR Drive reflected in a painting down on the Seaport.
Eyebeam Studios in Chelsea.
Clemente Soto VĂ©lez cultural center.
The eye that saw these things.
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.
Next up, an old beauty....a blue glass sidewalk grate. They don't make them like this any more.
Butterflies in the entrance of ABC No Rio.
The Brooklyn Bridge and FDR Drive reflected in a painting down on the Seaport.
Eyebeam Studios in Chelsea.
Clemente Soto VĂ©lez cultural center.
The eye that saw these things.
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.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
It's not all gloom and doom
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.
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.
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For some incredible interior shots, see these photos by Bluejake.