strawberry fields…forever

May 22, 2013 by gotham girl | 1 Comment

Strawberry Fields in Central Park

In my walks, I pass through Strawberry Fields in Central Park at least three or four times a week.

Every passing brings a special moment.

Yesterday…as a ray of afternoon sun peeked through the trees…another magical moment experienced.

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rain room at MoMA

May 21, 2013 by gotham girl | 10 Comments

Dancin’ in the rain, but stayin’ dry?

Rain Room at MoMA

 

Craig_20130520_4

 

Craig_20130520_15

Well…it is possible in the Rain Room at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).  A 5,000 square-foot installation with a complex system of motion detectors creating a field of falling water that stops when you walk through, allowing you to stay dry.  (Unless of course you decide to run through the exhibit and that’s a different story.  So move slowly.)

Only ten people are allowed at a time, so after experiencing it…doubtful if I’d wait hours to experience this exhibit.  But, certainly worth the visit if you have the time and the lines are short.  Open through July 28th.

The prompt this week for Bella’s 52 Photos Project is waterdrops.  Couldn’t think of a better interpretation than some captures from the Rain Room!

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squatters in the lower east side

May 20, 2013 by gotham girl | 9 Comments

Oh..do I have a fascinating tour for you!  Titled Radical Alphabet City Tour – held in one of my favorite parts of Manhattan – the Lower East Side.  You’ll visit legendary historic sites where the community faced off with gentrification and corporate power left from the effects of inner-city turmoil which took place beginning in 1970′s and 80′s.  The neighborhood experienced real estate abandonment and withdrawal as riots flared, buildings burned and drugs were widespread.   I’m pretty familiar with the Lower East Side, along with all the community gardens that resulted, but I wasn’t at all familiar with the squatter situation that resulted as well.

C-Squat in the Lower East Side of Manhattan

We met our tour guide Fly (a legendary Squatter artist) at the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space, located on 10th Street at Avenue C.

Squat tour in the Lower East Side of Manhattan

Two hours of learning all about the area and how her squat attained legal status and what she can and can not do with it.  Fly provided fascinating stories…such as the time when the riot police arrived in 1995 and used an armored carrier to evict squatters from buildings on East 13th Street…as well as many personal accounts she experienced.  She’s passionate about the importance of her work to document the historical and cultural significance, as she personally took photographs to document the past 20 some years since she became a squatter.

Squat tour in the Lower East Side of Manhattan

My next step is to inquire if a tour is available that will give me access into a squatter’s home to hear their stories and view firsthand how their sweat equity provided them an opportunity for home ownership.  So stay tuned!

One word to describe this tour – fascinating!!

 

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punk fashion

May 19, 2013 by gotham girl | 4 Comments

Punk

Punk Fashion is the focus at the Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art until August 14th.  Even Bergdorf Goodman is getting into the action using their window displays on Fifth Avenue to entice a visit!

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boat overturns in central park lake

May 17, 2013 by gotham girl | 9 Comments

helicopter rescue in Central Park

Well..wouldn’t you know it.  You go out for a little picnic and bubbly in Central Park to enjoy a little row boating and the whole world shows up.  Four helicopters and too many police squads and ambulances to mention…

Boat rescue in Central Park

Seems a couple had a little issue and capsized their boat.  So glad all was well except for some bruised egos perhaps?  Don’t know the details other than what I learned on the news…one was trying to retrieve an oar that fell into the water.

Other than that…a beautiful, peaceful picnic on a gorgeous spring afternoon…rowing across the 22-acre lake, the second largest water body in Central Park.

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the cloisters

May 16, 2013 by gotham girl | 7 Comments

A few days ago, a friend and I hopped on board the A train to Fort Tyron Park located in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan.

Destination?  The Cloisters.  However, upon arrival there was a slight detour…

Alan Binstock's Wayfinder

alan binstock’s wayfinder

Alan Binstock’s Wayfinder sculpture is eye candy with the shattered tempered glass and dyed resin that catches the light shining through the trees overhead…not to mention it’s directly across from the New Leaf Restaurant.  The shrimp salad served open faced on brioche bread with homemade chips?  Fabulous beyond words.  And dessert?  The Cloisters Museum & Gardens.

Cloisters

 

A branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters is devoted to the art of medieval Europe.  A beautiful day to explore the park as well as the gardens within.  But the weather began to prepare us for a night of thunderstorms as the evening ended…as the George Washington Bridge began to slip away in the fog and heavy stormy clouds.

 

George Washington Bridge seen from the Cloisters

Visiting the Cloisters is like you’ve been transported to the other side of the pond…a must see!

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in central park…

May 16, 2013 by gotham girl | 2 Comments

a day of rest…

Central Park

 

Central Park

 

Central Park

 

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new york city public library

May 14, 2013 by gotham girl | 4 Comments
mural at new york city public library

prometheus – ceiling mural at mcgraw rotunda

You know, I’ve been in the New York Public Library many times, but it wasn’t until a friend was visiting that we decided to take one of their free tours at the main location at 5th Ave and 42nd Street.  You can find out more about the tours here.  There’s so much to learn about the library.  Rooms that you’d never know existed, if you didn’t take the tour.

Winnie-the-Pooh at New York Public Library

original winnie-the-pooh from 1921

Never knew that the original Winnie-the-Pooh, the inspiration behind the popular children’s classic, is located in the Children’s library.  Loved his little sewn up nose…

New York Public Library

cloud mural in the main reading room

But, if you’re visiting and miss out on the tour, take a look here for some of what we learned.   Also, if you’re familiar with Poet in New York…there’s a great exhibition on Federico Garcia Lorca’s work there until July 20th of this year.

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jane alexander at st. john the divine

May 9, 2013 by gotham girl | 10 Comments

Deep…

Evocative…

Open to spiritual interpretation…

The cathedral setting for Jane Alexander’s exhibit, Surveys – From the Cape of Good Hope, couldn’t be more perfect.  What I enjoyed most about the location of her exhibit is getting to see many areas of the cathedral that are normally off limits to the public.  In my opinion, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine’s eeriness and vastness contributes greatly to the drama and mystery of her work.

Jane Alexander, born in Johannesburg, South Africa, is widely known for her sculptures.  Inspired by groups of homeless youths orphaned by violence or Aids, Ms. Alexander delivers a potent emotional impact within the individual chapels surrounding the main alter of the cathedral.

A great way to experience art and this incredible cathedral all in one visit.  The exhibit runs through July 29th.

 

jane alexander at cathedral of st. john the divine

 

jane alexander at cathedral of st. john the divine

 

jane alexander at cathedral of st. john the divine

 

jane alexander at cathedral of st. john the divine

 

jane alexander at cathedral of st. john the divine

 

jane alexander at cathedral of st. john the divine

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sheep meadow in central park

May 6, 2013 by gotham girl | 10 Comments

sheeps meadow central park nyc

Nothing signifies spring like the opening of 15 acres of green pasture in Central Park!

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