Sisterhood

New York City is one large film set. The streets, parks and other outdoor settings are used as well as studios such as Silvercup - click here. At any given time there dozens of films, commercials, TV shows, music videos not to mention amateur or student productions (NYU has one of the best film schools in the country). The mayor's office of film has a website of current productions (I don't always find it complete, however). Last fall I did two postings on the filming of I am Legend, the largest film production I have seen in the city, running over two weeks - click here for the first posting and here for the second. This week alone there have been two motion pictures filming in Washington Square Park, a popular venue for filming owing to its attractive environs (the row houses on the North side, e.g.) and iconic and recognizable elements such as the Washington Arch. Sunday night a car crash was being filmed - this was scheduled for 2-3 AM after the Park's closing. Generally the film crews are cooperative and accommodating to the community and those around the sets. Yesterday morning I happened across another film being made. During a break in the filming, passersby were allowed to resume walking in the shooting areas, so I was able to snag a few photos. I was surprised to learn this was a major motion picture - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Part 2. I never saw part one and am not familiar with any of the original actors. I am not sure who the two women in the photo are and whether they are major or minor characters ...

Window Washer

Unfortunately I do not have a photo of a window washer on a skyscraper, but you get the idea. This is window washing in NYC - a job that has a lot of perks but not for the faint of heart. I have learned a number of things about window washing. It is dangerous. It's a good job for voyeurs. Stories and cliches abound about the things window washers see, propositions from the wife home alone and the access washers have to the homes of the wealthy. There are various ways to access windows such as scaffolding or window hooks and belts as seen in the photo. Some windows are accessed strictly by walking on a ledge with no safety equipment, just holding on with one's hands - this is how the windows of my office are cleaned. The squeegee is the tool of choice - most nonprofessionals are inclined to use paper towels or rags, which just moves the dirt around. The squeegee goes back to the squilgee of the middle ages used by fishermen to clean boat decks. The modern single-bladed version of today was invented by Italian immigrant and window washer Ettore Steccone in 1936. It continues to be manufactured and is the choice of pros. The composition of the rubber is still a closely guarded secret and apparently continues to give the Ettore the edge over the competition. The future of window washers, however, does not look that bright. Many innovations in windows have made washing easier such as telescopic and water fed poles. Most new windows tilt in way that they can be cleaned from the inside. And then there are windows made from self cleaning glass developed by Pilkington of the UK and also made by PPG, Asahi Glass Co., and Saint Gobain. The glass is manufactured with a special titanium dioxide photocatalytic coating - dirt is broken down by UV light and washed away by the rain ...

Mayberry, NYC

This was the perfect summer image - two young boys standing lakeside preparing to fish in dappled late afternoon light. The scene made me feel like I was in the archetypal small town - transported to Mayberry. A Saturday or Sunday afternoon in the park is the perfect respite from the hustle and concrete of the big city - the Tuileries gardens of Paris, Hyde Park in London or Sheep Meadow in Central Park. For many, fishing is relaxing and a way to connect with the outdoors. Fishing in New York City is not as uncommon as one might think. As I wrote in a previous posting about the shore of NYC, 4 of the 5 boroughs are islands or part of islands - there are over 500 miles of shoreline - rivers and ocean. The waterways surrounding New York have become much cleaner so there is quite a bit of fishing in the various waterways around the boroughs and in the various lakes in the larger parks such as Central park and Prospect Park (Brooklyn) where this photo was taken. Yes, some of the fish can be eaten but there are health advisories regarding recommended species and number eaten on a weekly or monthly basis. And my understanding is that fresh water fishing is catch and release only. Enjoy your Sunday - sorry, no treatises today, I think I'm going to take it easy :) ...

Reverend Billy

This was yesterday's First Amendment Fest at Union Square, fueled by a number of current issues such as pending legislation regarding restriction of photography and videography in New York (click here for article) and issues regarding Critical Mass bike rides. When I first ran into Reverend Billy with his bleached blond bouffant hairdo, white suit and fully robed choir in a park several years ago, I assumed that I was witnessing another religious group proselytizing on a much larger scale. We see many groups in NYC - fundamentalist Christians, Mennonites, Jews for Jesus, etc. However, as the entertainment component became greater, I realized I was watching a performance, albeit a very convincing, revival styled one. Reverend Billy (aka Bill Talen) and the Church of Stop Shopping is an activist group, working internationally and using guerrilla theater to get their anti-consumerist messages across, warning against the "Shopocalypse." They have had numerous targets over the years: Nike, Disney, Starbucks, Victoria's Secret. Ironically, Reverend Billy was recently arrested for harassment for reciting the first amendment - click here for the AP article. Bill Talen was born in Minnesota in 1950 and brought up in a Dutch Calvinist tradition. After graduating from Franconia College, Talen moved to San Francisco where he earned a reputation as an actor and performer. Moving to NYC in 1994, Talen became an artist in residence at St. Clement's Church where developed his character as Reverend Billy in collaboration with Reverend Sidney Lanier. Talen cites Elaine Pagels, Lenny Bruce and Andy Kaufman as major influences. The depth and breadth of his philosophy, organization, mission, past actions etc are too great to go into here - I would direct you to their website for perusal - click here. He is the subject of a new documentary (produced by Morgan Spurlock of Super Size Me fame) entitled What Would Jesus Buy? Reverend Billy can be frequently be seen at St. Mark's Church and other NYC venues - try to catch him live ...

Full Moon

With all the goings on and distractions of being in the city, why look up? Because sometimes you are rewarded with spectacular natural occurrences like this moon. Although this was not a vista unique to New York City, seeing such a phenomenon in an urban setting always magnifies the experience. And frequently, the imposition of the moon in the right setting provides a nice counterpoint to various city structures, like this - click here. In various conversations over the years, I have been surprised to learn that many people are unaware that apart from moving through phases, the moon rises and sets daily like the sun with its own timetable (there is one day each month with no moonrise and one with no moonset). Of course, due to atmospheric conditions, times when the moon is out during bright daylight, etc. the moon is not always as readily and consistently visible as the sun. Click here for a lunar calendar customizable for your location. Here you will be able to see the times of the moonrise, moonset, sunrise, sunset and the moon phase. I learned today that a full moon or new moon occurs when the earth, moon and sun are in approximately a straight line - this conjunction is called a syzygy. I also learned that the full moon rises at sunset, sets at sunrise and hence is visible all night ...

Density and Intensity

This is Times Square, where 7th Avenue intersects Broadway. No area better symbolizes urban density and intensity in NYC and this country - it is an international icon. The Times Square neighborhood is generally defined as the area in the 40s, north of 42nd Street, between 6th and 8th Avenues. The area was named Times Square in 1904 after the New York Times erected a building and established operations there (this building is now known as One Times Square, and is where the ball is dropped on New Year's Eve). The area is also known as the theater district - home of Broadway theaters and hotels - a constant that has kept the area alive. Seasoned New Yorkers know, however, that for most of its recent history, Times Square was quite a seedy and dangerous neighborhood in decline, known for its sex shops, porn theaters, crime, drug dealers and disreputable retailers. Efforts at major rehabilitation began in the 1990s. Most agree the area has improved, although many feel it has been too "Disneyfied." Animated and illuminated signs/ads, neon and lights have always been a mainstay here and today this has further intensified with the addition of more sophisticated and brighter LED signage - the area now rivals Las Vegas as far as visual impact. In the future I plan to do some photography at night - the best time to see the area. Until then, I recommend visiting - make special notice of the spectacular seven-story illuminated NASDAQ sign at 43rd Street - don't worry, you can't miss it :) ...

Bayard Condict Building

Please click here for more photos - one photo does not do this building justice. With the plethora of street life, retailers and other distractions in the Village, it is easy for the casual visitor or resident to miss this magnificent building. But it has not been missed by architects, architecture students, critics or lovers of fine structures - the 13-story Bayard-Condict Bulding at 65 Bleecker Street has been designated both an official city landmark and a National Historic Landmark. This was renowned visionary Chicago architect Louis Sullivan's only work in New York City. Sullivan (1856-1924), father of the skyscraper and Modernism, was trained at MIT and the École des Beaux Arts in Paris. He was the leading designer of the Chicago school and employer and teacher of Frank Lloyd Wright. He is credited with coining the term "form follows function." This is interesting, since the ornate nature of this building shows how Sullivan was not dogmatic about his design ideas. Note the the terra cotta facade and spectacular ornamental elements and friezes under the cornices. At the time of its construction in 1898 the structure was considered very advanced - a very large percentage of the building wall is glass window. The building definitely deserves a good look if you are in the neighborhood ...

The Funny Store

This is a story recently reported by the New York Times, the Daily News and other local media. The Funny Store, a novelty shop which has been in business in the Times Square area for 50 years, is closing July 31 with a new residential development of luxury condominiums going up in its place. The shop was originally opened by brothers Irving, Mike and Lou Tannen (of Tannen's Magic fame). The current owner, Arnold Martin, has had the store since 2004. It has been frequented by many celebrities and has been a favorite of the Letterman show. The Funny Store sells gags, jokes, magic tricks, games and novelties with all the classics like hand buzzers, rubber chickens, whoopee cushions and their most popular item - fake dog excrement. Why, you may ask, is the story of a tiny novelty shop important? After all, this is not an essential service and these products can be had online. It's not the closing of this particular store but that this appears to be a typical scenario of the day and a harbinger of times to come. The changing landscape of NYC is one that many fear with a future of chain stores and luxury residences and services catering to the well-heeled. The small independent store is becoming an endangered species, along with many niche business operations. Entire districts have disappeared and industries have left the city. What makes NYC the interesting place it is and gives it character are the unique retailers, businesses, restaurants, cultural attractions and the people that make them up - the things you don't find outside the city. Catch them while you can ...

Salat

The temptation to use the word juxtaposition is particularly great in NYC. I was surprised that a search of this blog returns only two uses since its inception. So, I use it again - if there is need for the word juxtaposition, the scene in the photo (taken in Prospect Park, Brooklyn) has to be one of those times. In many decades living here, this is the first time I have witnessed this act in public in NYC. Islam, like all major organized religions, has many rituals and laws, and the daily prayers, or salat, are one of the pillars of the faith. The purpose, number, times of day, place, preparation, dress, movements and positions are all prescribed. These prayers are required of every adult Muslim and are performed on a traditional prayer mat, or musalla, five times a day: 1. Fajr - Before sunrise. 2. Zuhr - After the sun begins to decline from its zenith. 3. Asr - Mid-afternoon. 4. Maghrib - Just after sunset. 5. Isha - night. The supplicant faces qibla (Arabic for the direction faced when praying) which is towards the Kaaba in Mecca. I found the scene encouraging to see such a group together - Islamic women praying, Hispanic families having a picnic, Caucasian children and an older woman in the playground and two black children fishing in the lake behind me ...

Eeylop Owl Emporium

I hate to contribute any further to the Harry Potter mania, but I thought these rarely seen, remarkable birds deserved a posting - after all, it's not their fault they were part of a promotion. After strolling through Scholastic's Harry Potter Place in SOHO on Friday night (see yesterday's posting), I later passed through Union Square with a friend when we noticed that the Barnes and Noble superstore there was having its own big fest with special activities on every floor. The place was absolutely mobbed and at one point wristbands were being distributed to gain access. We decided to make a quick pass through the store and were absolutely shocked when on the ground floor in we saw a huge live owl perched on this man's arm and a baby companion nearby. This was obviously part of the Potter theme - a sign proclaiming this area as "Eeylop Owl Emporium" was prominently displayed and as fans know, owls play a big part in the Potter series as characters. People were gawking in astonishment to see these two owls in the middle of one of the city's largest bookstores in Manhattan. I spoke briefly to the owner/handler about this unusual sight - he did acknowledge that owls are not typically domesticated - he had raised them from birth. It is not until afterwards in reading for this article that I learned it is illegal to keep owls without a special permit in most countries and that the United States does not allow private individuals to keep native owls as pets - they may only be possessed by trained, licensed individuals while being rehabilitated or under a number of other special situations (click here). This store is one of my favorites, occupying the entire 6-story restored, former Century Building at 33 W. 17th Street - their windows offer great unobstructed views of Union Square Park ...

Pottery

I imagine by now most have heard of the release of the 7th Harry Potter book. There were events worldwide for this yesterday, with bookstores participating in numerous ways - contests, raffles, street parties, costuming, face painting, wand and potion making, performers etc.. And the biggest fete of them all was the block party put on by the publisher Scholastic themselves. An entire city block was closed off to traffic - Mercer Street between Prince and Spring Streets in SOHO - with a huge banner that proclaimed it to be Harry Potter Place (click here). The Scholastic building (click here for previous posting) runs through from Broadway to Mercer, so the street festival abutted their Mercer Street entrance - very convenient for this mega-promotional event. There was a range of activities and performers - jugglers, stilt walkers - and the requisite countdown clock. There was a stand displaying a copy of each volume in the series including the newest one, all under glass (click here). People were in line for nearly three city blocks from early evening for the 12:01 AM (Saturday) release of the book. Waiting in line half of the day to buy a book (which will be easily purchased today I am sure) seems like sheer lunacy to outsiders, but when it comes to cult phenomena, excessive behavior is to be expected. This event parallels the iPhone release which I previously wrote about. Add to the mix the fact that this is essentially a children's book along with indulgent parents and you really add some fuel to the fire. Ultimately, fun was had by all, and this event fills the desire many have to be part of something and make connections with others who share a passion ...

Bikes

I am not a motorcycle enthusiast and have never owned one, but I was always impressed by this Ducati/Triumph showroom display visible from street level in SOHO. It is quite interesting that as I write this and look at their website, I see that they have won national showroom awards. And as is typical with many fine European products, design aesthetic and attention to detail stand out in this display. It has always appeared to me as an outsider, that the design of motorcycles was much more important to the owner than automobiles - although there are many finely engineered and designed autos, the percentage of very uninteresting and utilitarian products (many of which are strictly price driven like the Yugo) seems to be much greater than that in the motorcycle world. This makes sense since a motorcycle is not as practical as an automobile as far as transportation - the motorcyclist chooses this vehicle for many reasons other than transportation. The experience of being on a bike is one of integration with one's environment as opposed to the experience of being in a car which can be likened to watching TV in comparison. And then there is the issue of power, speed and exhilaration, again intensified by lack of separation with the environment. However, many types of subcultures have developed around biking and the image of the outlaw biker is strong in people's minds. There is more risk in riding a motorcycle - the accident rate is nearly 5 to 1 over cars. And in NYC (and elsewhere), the reputation of motorcycles has been further tarnished by those that ride with straight pipes - illegal exhaust systems where noise reducing baffles have been removed and create noise of deafening proportions ...

Spinning

The spinning of fire and light is everywhere. Of course there is Burning Man, where twirling of light and fire have been done on a large scale for years. Recently in NYC, there was One Night of Fire, where revelers met on the Brooklyn Bridge to go on a roving street fest - spontaneously moving throughout the city by foot and subway to end up on the beach in Coney Island. This event was organized by the Danger - see their site for photos (I did not go because it was the same night as the Sheriff Session). The fellow in the photo is Sage (I revealed last year in a comment to a posting my business involvement with the juggling community). The photo is a long exposure of him spinning color changing lighted poi where the balls slowly change through the color spectrum. Poi, which traces its way back to the Maori of New Zealand, consists of a set of balls each tethered to a cord and finger strap. One is held in each hand and the pair of objects is swung in various patterns. The balls themselves can be be made in any number of materials/designs, including illuminated or fire versions. Swinging and twirling of poi and other objects (fans, flags, juggling clubs, torches, meteors, glowsticks, ribbons, staff) can be seen in parks, rave parties, juggling festivals and various planned and unplanned gatherings and events (such as Figment - click here for recent posting). Entire small businesses have been created which specialize is this type of equipment. The new big thing in the last couple of years: hula hoops - plain, brightly colored, lighted or fire ...

Sounds of Summer

For many of us who look forward to the summer, spending as much time as possible outdoors can become a preoccupation. Leaving the city is certainly a pleasant solution to heat and humidity, but for those who remain there are a plethora of activities to enjoy, both physical and cultural and often with less crowding, owing to so many city residents being away. In order to maintain some continuity with indoor life and interests, many take their activities outside - writing, reading, and now with the ubiquitous WIFI, work/play on a laptop. And for music lovers, outdoor summer concerts are a wonderful perk this time of year and NYC has no shortage - most of them free of charge. The two largest venues are Summerstage in Central Park (click here for a performance history) and Celebrate Brooklyn ($3) in Prospect Park. Both of these get major talent. Greenwich Village has a summer series - the Washington Square Music Festival with Peggy Friedman as executive director and Lutz Rath, music director. The concerts take place on four Tuesday evenings at 8PM. Temporary seating is installed and music is played on a raised performance space called Teen Plaza (built for the Festival in the 1970s). The repertoire leans towards classical, although jazz and other types of music are featured. The festival was started in 1953 by the Washington Square Association (established in 1903) and Alexander Schneider, a Village resident, violinist and member of the Budapest String Quartet. The musical talent has been of a high quality from its inception, with its share of luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis and Marilyn Horne. Last night's theme was Music as Political Statement with works by Gershwin and Weill. The upcoming (and last) concert of the series on July 31 features the Charles Mingus Orchestra...

The Sherry

This is the Sherry Netherland (as seen from Central Park), an absolutely exquisite and remarkable building in the finest location in NYC, at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue with immediate neighbors like the Metropolitan Club and the Pierre and Plaza Hotels. If you are not familiar with it - it maybe due to its somewhat understated elegance and small lobby, unlike that of the Waldorf Astoria, e.g. The Sherry does not even have a Wikipedia entry, yet many architects consider it one of the finest skyscrapers in NYC. Built in 1927, it stands at 570 feet/38 stories. The Sherry Netherland is an apartment hotel - there are 53 guest hotel rooms and 97 cooperative apartments ($1.3 - $13.5 million; cash only). Above the 24th floor there is only one apartment per floor. Designed by renowned architect Leonard Schultze, with his partner, S. Fullerton Weaver - their firm also designed the Pierre, the Waldorf, The Breakers (Palm Beach) and The Biltmore hotels in Atlanta, Coral Gables and Los Angeles. The Sherry features travertine marble facing on the base and an elaborate Gothic-inspired minaret. Unique touches include the whimsical griffins with hanging lanterns that guard the exterior. Some of the finest retailers grace the street level such as A La Vieille Russie or Domenico Vacca. The lobby was modeled after the Vatican Library. There are classical friezes rescued from the Cornelius Vanderbilt mansion one block south where Bergdorf Goodman now stands, vaulted ceilings, ornate mirrors, crystal chandeliers, hand-loomed French carpets (removed in the summer, allowing the beautiful marble floors to show) and antique furnishings. Corridors feature vaulted ceilings, as well as faux columns hand detailed in gold leaf. They employ a full-time person to do nothing but reapply gold leaf to the hotel’s many architectural details and hand paint the exquisite detail on the room numbers and elevators. Attendants are on duty 24 hours a day in the Sherry’s original wood-paneled elevators, embellished with hand-painted Renaissance scenes. Attendants wear full livery and use approximately 140 pairs of white gloves each week. Some of the bathrooms have crystal chandeliers. And then there are the rooms that face Central Park ...

Bastille Day 2007

July 14th is Bastille day - a commemorative celebration of the storming of France's Bastille in 1789. This holiday is celebrated by the French and francophiles around the world. In NYC there were a number of different celebrations (some on Saturday the 14th and some on Sunday when these photos were taken) with various activities around town. This year I chose to check out the Brooklyn scene where it turns out there were two celebrations, both on Smith Street in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn. The larger of the two was sponsored by Bar Tabac at Smith and Dean, where several blocks were closed off for the various activities. Sand was brought in and Pétanque courts were created for the day. This celebration was claimed to be the largest outside of France. There was live music and of course food and drinks - Ricard and Lillet appeared to be quite well represented. A few blocks down Smith Street, the bistro Provence en Boite was having its own celebration, with the requisite Pétanque contest, food, drink, music and other activities. Across the river in Manhattan, there was the annual uptown celebration sponsored by the French Institute-Alliance Française, held on 60th Street, between Fifth and Lexington Avenues. Downtown, at Les Halles, the home base of chef Anthony Bourdain, there was a classic waiter's race. Last year I went to the celebration on MacDougal Street in SOHO, run by the restaurant Provence (click here for posting, photos and video). If you have never been to a Bastille Day celebration in NYC, I recommend them as some of the better quality street fairs this city has to offer. Vive la France! ...

Sheriff Session

I do like country and bluegrass music - the longer I live in New York City, the more I look for the occasional respite from the intensity of living here. The energy and and saturation of all the diverse things the city has to offer is the reason most of us live here. Getting away for weekends, daytrips or vacations certainly provides a needed break, but full immersion in a musical experience like a bluegrass or country concert can transport one to a simpler time and provide a virtual trip to the American countryside. Although country and bluegrass have lived with a stigma of being for the musically unsophisticated, an open minded, closer examination of masters like Hank Williams or Flat and Scruggs will show this viewpoint to be unfounded. And fans do find the basic themes and lyrics still relevant. Bluegrass, however, has never really caught on as mainstream music, but for the seeker, it can still be found. It may come as a surprise that there is a country and bluegrass fan base and performance venues in NYC. In Manhattan, Sheriff Bob (Saidenberg) has been running a Wednesday night bluegrass jam at the Baggot Inn on 3rd street (free - no cover or minimum). Last night was the annual Sheriff Session - a whole night of Bluegrass and country with a lineup of 4 bands: Vincent Cross & Good Company, Cheatin Hearts (the Sheriff's new group), Blue Harvest, Citigrass with Master of Ceremonies Lindy Loo. There is a high level of musicianship and technical skill in contemporary bluegrass which was quite evident in last night's performance. With that badge and leather vest proclaiming "Sheriff of Good Times" we know the Sheriff means business ...

Wash and Ry

I'm fascinated by places like this. This laundromat is located in prime Park Slope (13th Street and 8th Avenue) - one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Yet the place looks third world. All the backs of the chairs outside are broken off, letters from the sign are broken or missing, a slat of plywood covered with graffiti backs the door and then there's that hideous faux brick siding. Everything is run down, broken, makeshift or slightly askew. The inside is not more pleasant - cavernous, dark and gray. In the suburbs, a place like this would never survive in a good neighborhood - people would drive to a nicer place and eventually they would go out of business. My theory is that in the city, customers patronize essential services which are very local since most errands are done on foot. These shop owners have a captive audience - customers will put up with a run down business if it is close to home. Also, most New York City residents are exposed to older buildings and hence tolerant of the structurally and cosmetically imperfect. Unfortunately, this type of scenario can not always be explained by poor financials - many small business owners view their operations as cash cows, taking out as much as possible without putting anything back in to keep a place in a decent state of repair. I understand from a neighborhood resident that the owner is quite fierce and her golden retriever has snarled more than once at her own dog ...

Lahore

There is a category of food you really won't find outside a big city like NYC - that which might be referred to as Pakistani taxi cab cuisine (by and for Pakistanis). Cab drivers have a short list of requirements for their choice of on-the-job food: cheap, fast and available all hours. In the case of Lahore, which meets these basic requirements, one could add authentic and quite good. For authentic ethnic food, it is safe to place your bets with the taxi driver - they know the entire city, have a vehicle which will take them anywhere at no cost and are well networked with other members of their community. Many New Yorkers have gone by 132 Crosby Street hundreds of times and not even noticed the place. Lahore is literally a hole-in-the-wall - narrow, cavernous, dark, funky - yet they come (and line up). As far as the atmosphere, for many the word "scary" would come to mind, but I found the charm of the servers to quite quickly overshadow any misgivings about the roughness. This is primarily a take out place although there are a few stools and a tiny counter to sit at. Click here for a photo I took of their menu. Cash only, of course. I can't say Lahore is a total secret - an online search will turn up a number of reviews (all positive) including one from the New York Times in 2000. BTW, I learned today that Lahore is the capital of the Pakistan's province of Punjab (click here). With its beautiful preserved colonial architecture, gardens and rich culture, it is sometimes known as Paris of the East ...

Contrast

As I have stated previously in this blog, it is easy to become inured to vistas, regardless of where or how dramatic - and it is no different in New York City. It frequently takes a change in mindset or perhaps conditions to jog ones perception and see something anew. I see the view in the photo on a daily basis - looking uptown from lower Broadway in SOHO, with the Chrysler building and Grace Church framed perfectly by the chasm formed by the buildings. Of course, I do notice, but I really don't appreciate it the way an unfamiliar observer would. On this day however, the cloud formations were spectacular and moving rapidly - in the course of nine minutes I had six very different photos. This kind of drama between clouds and buildings doesn't occur that often and even the jaded, hardened New Yorker can't help but notice. On June 22, 2006, I posted a most remarkable cloud occurrence (click here) and provided a link to the Cloud Appreciation Society - no surprise, I suppose that there are groups and websites exclusively oriented to clouds. Sorry, today there is no architectural dissertation, social commentary, history or NYC factoids - just some cloud and vista appreciation. After all, this is supposed to be a photoblog :) ...

Garment District

New York City's population size and Manhattan's density has given rise to something unique - business districts. I've put together a list - diamond, flower, lighting, restaurant supply, photo, meatpacking, financial, fur and the garment districts. I am distinguishing these from residential neighborhoods as they are primarily business to business vendors. Most smaller cities have, perhaps, a downtown business district, but here we have concentrations of suppliers to specific industries occupying substantial geographical areas. The now defunct sewing machine district, e.g., used to occupy the city blocks between 24th and 27th streets between 6th and 7th Avenues - on some blocks, virtually every retail space was occupied by a sewing machine dealer. Today's photo was taken in the Garment District - an area located roughly between 34th and 42nd Streets from 6th and 9th Avenues. The dominance of NYC in this industry goes back to production of clothing for slave owners of Southern plantations. With the invention of the sewing machine in the 1850s, production of clothing became industrialized, with NYC as center. Although garment manufacturing in Manhattan has declined, there are still many small sewing manufacturers in this district (and Chinatown). The area is now dominated by fabric and notions wholesalers, clothing designers and showrooms. New York City is the center of fashion in the United States with names like Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Liz Claiborne, Betsy Johnson located here. We are home to trade shows and Fashion Week - a major annual industry event. The area is sometimes referred to as the Fashion District (there is a Fashion District information kiosk at 39th and 7th with a huge sculpture of a needle threading a button). Interesting note - many are puzzled by the fact that competitors will cluster together, as dramatically demonstrated by NYC districts. This counter intuitive phenomenon is explained by Nash Equilibrium and Hotelling' s Law ...

The Good Word

This is Fraunces Tavern in downtown Manhattan, located at 54 Pearl Street at the corner of Broad Street (click here for a photo of the building plaque). This establishment in the Fraunces Tavern Historic District, both museum and tavern, is a household name to most New Yorkers, being generally considered the oldest building in the city and known as the place where, on December 4, 1783 in the Long Room, General George Washington bid farewell to his officers at the war's end. However, the age of this building has been the subject of much controversy. The present structure is a reconstruction of the original by architect Mersereau in 1907 for the Sons of the Revolution. At the time, critical articles appeared with response from the architect. The original Fraunces Tavern was built as a residence in 1719 by Stephen Delancey. In 1762 it was sold to Samuel Fraunces, who turned it into a tavern. It was used for many pre and post revolutionary war purposes. After the war, when NYC served as the nation's capital, the tavern housed the offices of the Departments of War, Treasury and Foreign Affairs. The building was rebuilt a number of times in the 1800s due to fires - the appearance of the original building is not known with any reasonable certainty. The reconstruction did incorporate remaining portions of the original structure, particularly some interior woodwork. The Fraunces Tavern Museum refers to the 1907 work as a restoration; the AIA guide refers to it as a "highly conjectural construction–not a restoration"; some may perhaps prefer the term reconstruction - what's the Good Word? ...

Figment

Figment was a one-day arts festival held on Governors Island - click here for more photos. There was a sense that this was to be a New York style Burning Man - many of yesterday's participants have attended and the organizers have themselves have referenced Burning Man as an influence. The event took place at Nolan Park, a historic district with a shaded green surrounded by period homes. Attendees were encouraged to bring projects, contribute and participate (at the Burning Man festival, being a spectator is discouraged in keeping with their 10 principles: radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leaving no trace, participation, and immediacy.) Over 50 exhibitors attended with names like Misericordiam, Limbonade Stand, Krinkl-O-Torn, Groovehoops, Sisters, Earth Paint Tree, the Tub Project, Wish Tree, Zenbend Hanger Reuse Project, etc. From the Figment website: " Expect a dizzying array of fabulous art and activities, spanning a variety of imaginative possibilities ranging from ambitious sculptures to exquisite performance to wild costuming to edgy arts and crafts and beyond." The goals of Figment would not appear to be so ambitious for a first year festival, given NYC's large population and arts community. However, although having the fest on Governor's Island has its merits, having to transport everything and everyone by ferry definitely had a substantial impact. The free 10 minute ferry ride to Governors Island (the subject of a future posting) turned out to be somewhat harrowing. The lines for the ferry were huge, with waits of over an hour - by days end it was clear there would not be enough ferry space and crossings to carry everyone - only 6 ferries were scheduled between 10AM and 3PM. But I imagine this festival will build momentum and I look forward to seeing its growth in future years. Note: The events name "Figment" was inspired by an Andy Warhol quote stating that he would like his own tombstone to be blank: "No epitaph, and no name. Well, actually, I'd like it to say 'figment' " ...

NYC 777 YouTube Meetup

Yesterday was 7/7/07 and there were numerous events scheduled to tie into what many saw as a propitious numerological date. At the very least, 777 certainly is catchy tag. This gathering was the NYC 777 YouTube Meetup in Washington Square Park (click here for more photos). Here was another huge event which I had no knowledge of until I walked into it (I live neighboring the park) yet it apparently had been planned for months. According to the youtube meetup website, the entire event actually spanned 5 days with various parties and meetups in clubs and bars. As of today, I have found no mainstream press coverage - the only media I saw there was filming by MTV. The meetup had a cultish feel, not dissimilar to a Trekkie or SciFi convention. There was a lot of interviewing going on with filming and photography of filming, photography and interviewing. But there also was a lot of connecting of youtube celebs, many meeting in the flesh for the first time with names like happyslip, davidjr, abbegirl, thehill88, foureyedmonsters, ghostwise, brookers, kimeepower, lionsgrrr etc. One of the main attractions was to be a performance by EepyBird, the brainchild of Fritz Grobe (professional juggler and performance artist) and Stephen Voltz (a lawyer). These two have a number of videos on YouTube and their own website (click here), featuring their displays of Mentos and Diet Coke geysers, with an estimated twenty millions views webwide (one of their most viewed is the original Experiment 137 with one hundred jets going off in less than three minutes). Two liter Diet Coke bottles are fitted with nozzles containing Mentos - when combined a chemical reaction takes place, with geysers reaching heights of over 20 feet. Unfortunately, EepyBird's permit only specified assembly and not their geyser display, so they were shut down. They appear to be parlaying their online success with an appearance on Letterman, Coca Cola's use of Experiment 214 for three months on their website, talks with the Discovery Channel and History Channel about a science show, a recent Emmy nomination ...

Rain Forest

This is the Tropical Zone at the Central Park Zoo, my second posting on this zoo (click here for the first posting, featuring the penguin habitat) It is located in the heart of Manhattan and sees 4 million visitors annually. As I wrote in the previous posting, the trend in zoos (and botanic gardens such as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden) is towards habitats and such is also the case with the Central Park Zoo which underwent a complete rehab in 1988. The zoo is divided into three climactic zones: a Polar Zone, a Temperate Territory and a Tropical Zone (interestingly, the Tropical Zone is referred to as the Rain Forest on their official map). The tropical habitat houses a variety of animals in a jungle environment - there are numerous birds, monkeys, snakes, frogs, lizards and toads. In the photo collage, starting upper right going clockwise, we have a Toucanet, Emerald Tree Boa, Colobus Monkey, Tamarin, Scarlet Ibis and a Fairy Bluebird. One of the outstanding aspects of the tropics is the fantastic, bright colors of the native birds. The spectacular plumage is a draw for observers, photographers and I imagine for those who purchase these birds as pets ...

Arch Rebels

The Washington Square Arch is one of my favorite subjects and I have tried not to overuse it. However, I already have done at least 7 postings where all or part of the arch appears in the photo. Apart from the obvious - that it is one of just a handful of monuments in the city, it has gone through a recent restoration and it is beautifully illuminated at night - this is also the neighborhood where I live, so I see it numerous times daily. I have always been obsessed with monuments - as a child it was the Washington Monument. There is a small doorway in the west pier of the arch. Behind it is an interior stairwell there which ascends to the top where there is a vacant chamber and from there a trapdoor to the rooftop. One of the most often told stories is that of a snowy night in 1916 when artists Marcel Duchamp and John Sloan, along with 4 others (Gertrude Drick, Forrest Mann, Betty Turner, and Charles Ellis of the Provincetown Playhouse) snuck up to the top of the arch with Chinese lanterns, food, drink, balloons and cap pistols. There, in a night of revelry, they read a declaration proclaiming the "free and independent republic of Washington Square" - they fired the toy pistols, let the balloons loose, and spent the night eating and drinking while a crowd gathered below. I have not done a posting on the arch per se because someday, somehow, in honor of those rebels, I will get inside and to the top. And when I do, there will be a proper posting and history with plenty of photos - inside, outside, staircase, chambers, rooftop with views and you will see them here ...

Nice and Olds

Here's a new twist. While walking up to B&H Photo with a photographer friend we came upon this antique 1947 Oldsmobile on 9th Avenue. The owner, Brian Atkins, was taking photos of passersby (for a small charge) who wanted to pose with the vehicle. In conversation with him, we agreed that cars make great subjects for photography. I recently shot a number of autos in an antique car show I happened upon in Connecticut, but I have not posted them here since they were not in NYC. I am not a car enthusiast, but I love the chrome, sweeping curves, shiny lustrous finish, reflections, interiors and overall design work of many of these classic American icons. The beauty of the designs of the these antique autos is not strictly a romantic passion for all things past. Many antique automobiles were some of the finest examples of industrial design - Raymond Loewy (1893-1986), for example, was probably the greatest and well known industrial designer of the 20th century. His prolific career involved a long relationship with the US automaker Studebaker. If you are not familiar with Loewy and his work, I would highly recommend some reading about him and his work - click here - you'll be amazed. He was responsible for everything from the Hoover logo to NASA Skylab interior ...

Two for One

Today is not only Independence Day but also the 200th Anniversary of Giuseppe Garibaldi - he was born in Nice (Nizza) on July 4, 1807. The statue shown in the photo sits in Washington Square Park. Last night there was a celebratory concert; today there is singing of Italian songs during the day. Garibaldi was a military leader who is credited with unifying Italy. He was exiled from Italy a number of times - in 1850-3 he lived in Staten Island, New York. The sculptor of the bronze statue, Giovanni Turini was a volunteer member of Garibaldi's Fourth Regiment - it was donated by the Italian-American community in 1888, six years after Garibaldi's death. Click here for a photo I took of the plaque by the statue; it gives a brief bio of Garibaldi and information regarding the statue itself. Today, of course, we have the annual fireworks sponsored by Macy's at 9:20 PM. There are many viewing areas - the prime area is the FDR drive which is closed to vehicles from 14th to 42nd Street. Of course there are many other viewing areas - Roosevelt Island, Long Island City (Queens), Liberty Park, NJ, South Street Seaport, Brooklyn and the Circle Line. And I understand that tickets are available for viewing from the Empire State Building for 150 people at $175 each ...

Paris in New York

One customer review complained of 1) a long wait 2) a grossly small restaurant with people bumping into your chair every time they pass 3) a rude and poorly trained staff with major attitude 4) a bus boy that thinks its ok to sweep and stack tables right beside you while you're still eating. They take no credit cards, no reservations, have no liquor license (BYO), yet they wait in line. Why? Many just love this place. NYC is a city of extremes and this includes restaurant experiences and opinions. Tartine was started by Thierry Rorchard and Jean-Francois Bernard, two chefs who had worked several decades in large French restaurants. This wonderful small French bistro at 253 West 11th Street on the corner of 4th Street is probably in the most bucolic area of town - the West Village between 7th and 8th Avenues. I have written before of this neighborhood - click on any of these four links - 39 & 41 Commerce, Cherry Lane Theater, 17 Grove Street and 121 Charles Street. Here you will find the charm of being in the Latin Quarter of Paris. The stretch of West 4th Street from 7th to 8th has a number of restaurants discreetly hidden - these blocks are decidedly non-commercial, in part due to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which has strict guidelines. I love al fresco dining but I find most streets in Manhattan much too busy. Tree lined West 4th street is the perfect place for a summer brunch. Be prepared to wait in line ...

Alidoro

Do you want to know a real NYC secret? Alidoro. This tiny sandwich shop at 105 Sullivan Street is one of the best in NYC. I was introduced to it in 1991 by an Italian friend and neighborhood resident. There is an area of the South Village and neighboring SOHO which has a number of Italian residents and businesses - places like Rafetto's, Vesuvio Bakery, Villa Moscioni, Tiro A Segno, Joe's Dairy, Faicco's Pork etc. This sandwich shop was originally opened in 1986 as Melampo Imported Foods by Alessandro Gualandi, a native of Florence, who had a reputation as one of the most difficult shop owners around (some said grouchy, others temperamental artiste). You wouldn't dare ask for any changes or modifications - all of his sandwiches were ordered by name (Julie, Pinocchio, Arzibubo, Geppetto, etc.). I was reprimanded for asking for a little mustard - subsequently I would take my sandwich back to my office and make adjustments there - click here for a short review about the old shop and its owner. In 2001, the business was taken over by Walter Momente, a trained chef from Italy. A few changes have been made, like the addition of small tables - great since the only place to sit previously was a playground nearby. And the new owner has a sunny disposition. But the sandwiches and quality are the same. There are 40 sandwiches to choose from (menu here), each on their own fresh Italian loaf (white or whole wheat) with options for sfilatino, tramezzino, focaccia or semolina bread. All the best ingredients are used: sopressata, prosciutto, salami, olive paste, mozzarella, marinated peppers, arugula, bel paese, sun dried tomatoes, salami, and their signature dressing. The sandwiches are large enough that for many, half is a meal. Another thing hasn't changed - call ahead or get there before 12:30, otherwise there are lines out into the street ...

Harmonie Club

Private clubs can really be private - click here for the Harmonie Club's website and you will see what I mean - no information of any sort other than a few small photos and drawings. Read as I may and try as I did, I have no interior photos for you, no detailed history, no fascinating stories, no idea about membership requirements. I have no idea what goes on there, who the members are, what the dues are. In fact, until recently they were so private, they did not want members who were open about their Jewishness. There was a book published in 1977 - The Harmonie Club: One Hundred and Twenty-Five Years, 1852-1977 - a dealer's description of the book says "What is most interesting is that the words "Jew" and "Jewish" do not appear in this history." The Harmonie club is the second oldest private club in NYC. It was founded in 1852 as the Gesellschaft Harmonie by six German/Jewish immigrants (unable to gain admittance to the Metropolitan Club) for the purpose of "mutually beneficial social entertainment, occasional singing entertainments, lectures, etc." The Harmonie distinguished itself from other all-men's clubs by allowing women at dinner since its founding. Many of the members of the Harmonie Club were powerful Jewish families of the time, as chronicled in Our Crowd by Stephen Birmingham. The club building, a renaissance palace designed by McKim Mead and White in 1906, is located at 4 W. 60th Street - just steps from Fifth Avenue, Grand Army Plaza and Central Park. This location is probably the prime location in Manhattan. In 2001, prior to his campaign for mayor, Michael Bloomberg resigned from four private clubs, including the Harmonie Club. His reason was lack of diversity in membership. Not one of the 1200 members at the club was black ...