Considering Cities

The Highline at Night

consideringcities — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:30:19 +0000

I’ve only ever been to the Highline at night. I was there the evening it opened… by accident, (I suppose these things just call to me, and really aren’t ever any sort of a coincidence).

Please enjoy these photos I took months ago at the Highline, that for some reason or another, I have not shared yet.

One of the entrances to the Highline at night. Photo by Cat Agonis

View of many layers of buildings from the Highline. Photo by Cat Agonis

Entrance to the Highline. Photo by Cat Agonis

The Highline on Gansevoort Street. Photo by Cat Agonis.

C.A.

The Panorama of the City of New York

consideringcities — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:04:19 +0000

I never thought I would say this but Robert Moses really wow’d me… in a good way. About a week ago I went to visit the “Panorama of the City of New York” at the Queens Museum of Art. I had heard rumors that this ongoing exhibit at QMA was a model created in the exact image of the entire city of New York. Impossible, I thought. How could that be true? How could Robert Moses find the time to dedicate 3 years and 100 people to rebuilding a mini- New York City when he was already so busy turning the already existing one into a car culture?

Well believe it. I saw it with my own eyes… and I took pictures! The Panorama of the City of New York DOES exist, and it is wonderful. My friend and I spent over an hour and a half studying the variations in districts, boroughs, architecture and park structure. Here are some interesting facts about the Panorama of the City of New York:

- It was built for the 1964- 65 World’s Fair

- It was intended to help with city planning prior to be exhibited at the fair

- It’s 9335 square feet!

- It includes EVERY SINGLE BUILDING in the entirety of New York City built before 1992 (resulting in a total of 895,000)

- The Panorama took 3 years and 100 people to build

- Raymond Lester Associates were an original hand in the making of the Panorama, and Lester updated it again in 1992 changing over 60,000 structures!

Now for the pictures of the Panorama of the City of New York:

This is a view of Manhattan looking South on the "Panorama of the City of New York." Constructed for the 1964 World's Fair by Robert Moses and Raymod Lester. Updated by Lester in 1992

View of Midtown Manhattan in the "Panorama of the City of New York." Constructed by Raymond Lester and Robert Moses in 1964. Now on view at the Queens Museum of Art.

Prospect Park in the "Panorama of the City of New York." Ongoing exhibition at the Queens Museum of Art constructed by Robert Moses and Raymond Lester for the 1964 World's Fair.

A view of beautiful Brooklyn in the "Panorama of the City of New York." Can be seen indefinatley at the Queens Museum of Art

Queens and Manhattan in Robert Moses' and Raymond Lester's "Panorama of the City of New York."

Brooklyn in the "Panorama of the City of New York." Constructed by Richard Haymond and Robert Moses for the 1964 World's Fair. Now showing at the Queens Museum of Art

The Queens Museum of Art will have the Panorama of the City of New York as a constant exhibit.

QUEENS MUSEUM OF ART INFO:

Museum Summer Hours
Wednesday – Sunday: noon – 6 pm
Friday: noon – 8 pm

Location
New York City Building
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens NY 11368
TEL: 718 592 9700

Admission
Admission is by suggested donation. Adults: $5
Senior and Children: $2.50
Members and Children
under five: Free

WWW.QUEENSMUSEUM.ORG

C.A.

Review of the Lars Elling “Fictions” exhibit at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery

consideringcities — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:59:48 +0000

Wow. If I had $24,000 I know where it would go… and that would be to the Lars Elling painting”Pavane for the Playing Dead’ currently being sold at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery. This exhibit, which has been extended, is no small success. Half of their collection has been sold since May and with good reason. Lars Elling’s paintings are incredibly vivid and really resonate.

The artist himself, is a published playwrite, and you can see the way drama plays a role in his paintings. It seems as if every painting is a the story of an unforgettable (good or bad) memory that took place in a dreamlike location revisiting in the form of nostalgia. The Nicholas Robinson Gallery did an exceptional job currating their complete top floor with Lars Elling’s paintings. They have the power to fill the void and starkness of a white empty space with their undeniable presence. Here is a look at some of Lars Elling’s work, including my favorite, “Pavane for the Playing Dead” currently on show at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery:

"Night and Day" painting by Lars Elling. Sold already at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery

Lars Elling's Camera Lucida, currently on show at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery.

My favorite painting of Lars Ellings' show at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery in Chelsea, "Pavane for the Playing Dead"

Another vivid painting by Lars Elling at the Nicholas Robinson Gallery.

While these photos let you look at the subject, please to try to make it to the exhibit before it closes! The flattened, digital pixels do not captivate the texture, and the way the paintings change a room on the screen!

The Nicholas Robinson Gallery is located on 535 West 20th Street in Chelsea, New York. For more info visit their website at http://www.nrgallery.com/

C.A.

Pool Parties at the Williambsburg Waterfront. Dirty Projectors do the 1st of Many.

consideringcities — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:32:57 +0000

Sunday I went to the Dirty Projector’s show at the Williamsburg waterfront’s “Pool Parties.” The name “Pool Party” may be minorly deceiving to those of us who came equipped wearing bathing suits and swimmies, but the party was defanatley on. There are so many great things about this thing. First- off it’s FREE! Secondly, they have an awesome lineup that includes Girl- Talk and Grizzly Bear (who’s playing on my birthday). After you get over the great free concerts, you also can factor in the fact that the bands play with a background of the Manhattan Skyline. It’s not only beautiful, but from a Brooklyn-er’s perspective it’s a wonderful slap in the face saying Manhattan could never touch this!

There’s also great places to relax and tan on the grass if you’re into that sort of thing, designated dogeball and baskctball courts that hold endless tournaments during the event and beer tents (pricey, but affordable given the fact that you didn’t have to pay for the show). Check out some photos from Sunday’s Concert of the Dirty Projectors:

The Dirty Projectors performing their opening song at the Pool Parties on the Williamsburg waterfront.

This was the first band that went on at the Williamsburg waterfront Pool Parties last weekend.

Glorious view of the Manhattan skyline. Perfect backdrop for awesome band performances.

Along with a view of the Manhattan skyline we got a view of some good ol' Williamsburg gentrification.

Pool Parties in Williamsburg is also a great place to enjoy the sun.

Me being silly and enjoying the sun in my bathing suit.

Dirty Projectors performing their hit song, Stillness is the Move at Pool Parties last weekend.

Converse stuck an interactive corporate hand in the Williamsburg waterfront Pool Parties. I wonder if all of the shoes ended up being colored in.

The official schedule for this summer's Pool Parties in Williamsburg.

Coney Island’s Siren Festival; How it hit me.

consideringcities — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:17:43 +0000

So Saturday was Coney Island’s Siren Festival. The Village Voice has been promoting the shit out of this thing. I think it’s their little baby every summer. And why wouldn’t you want to let it be known to New York that you were responsible for an all day free festival featuring hip bands like the Raveonettes and Built to Spill in Coney Island? Reason to brag, right?

I suppose so. I did have fun at Siren Festival. Believe me. And how couldn’t I? I got to watch Grand Duchy play on a beautiful day with the background of the Cyclone… all for free. But I found as time ran on I got tired of running back and forth, zig- zagging in and out of the masses of people who didn’t care about the festival at all from stage 1 to stage to to catch the band I wanted to see. By 6 p.m. I was exhausted, and I had only been there a couple of hours. I said adios to my friends pretending like I was going home and indulged in the Coney Island Freak show.

View of stage 2 at the Village Voice's 2009 Siren Festival in Coney Island

This scene and the knowledge that I was at a free festival made me think I was at a Grateful Dead show.

View of Stage 1 in front of the Cyclone, and the grand Grand Duchy's performance.

I left the Raveonettes to go see the MC for the freakshow bargin with the crowd. He lowered admission prices to $3.

Yes, I actually did pay 50 cents to see the Giant Rat, which in reality... is a gofer.

After the gofer- incident I knew better then to pay to see the Giant Snake.

I must admit I was tempted to see the Headless Woman, but I stayed strong and saved my 50 cents for a much- needed Capri Sun.

New York’s Summer of Weird Clouds

consideringcities — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:32:12 +0000

Bushwick does dramatic clouds.

And earlier that same day...

Has anyone else noticed that along with the weather being so weird in New York this summer… so have the clouds? Take a look at these two pictures I took in Bushwick in the same area on the same day. I have been absolutely fascinated with this summer’s weather. Especially the clouds, so if anyone has any pictures please share!

C.A.

2009 Bastille Festival; Who Knew the French Partied in Brooklyn?

consideringcities — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:42:51 +0000

I had no idea what a Bastille Festival was, or that French people ever came to party in Brooklyn… but it’s New York and everything is not only possible, but probable. Here are some photos from Smith Street’s 2009 Bastille Festival which included:

- The World’s 2nd largest Pentanque Tournamen

- Fine wine

- Skateboarding exhbitionanists sponsored by Homage (Skate Shop on Smith Street)

- The Bar Tabac hosting a classic- rock coverband after the festival. The bar was packed with drunk people dancing to Free- bird and Lay- Down Sally! It was awesome.

- and really loud Spanish Music emulating from Mexican Restaraunt Coco Rocco. (Don’t you love it when the Latin American’s and teen-age skateboarders take over the French Party)?

Never knew what Petanque was or that people in Brooklyn played it, but they cleared out a whole block on Smith Street for it so it must be important.

I wasn't there to see the band, but the aftermath seemed pretty sweet.

Some people conjuring up some fun and mischief outside the Bar Tabac.

This ended up just serving as a drink stand.

I hope they got the sand for Smith Street's Pentanque Tournament from Coney Island

Homage set up their skateboarding section right in front of the store I work at, We the Free... and we were happy to have an all day show!

A bunch of people crowded around a guy breakdancing wearin a V- for- Vendetta mask (who I think usually performs at the Union Square stop on the L).

Brooklyn Skaters enjoying the Bastille Festival. Not very french, but very Brooklyn!

Who said the G train never lead to nothin’! Supposed to be more festivities on Bastille’s actual celebration day, this Tuesday.

C.A.

From that Crazy Conductor on the G Train- Today’s Special Quote

consideringcities — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:12:44 +0000

“This is Hoyt and Schmerhorn. Transfer is available across the platform to the C Train. C as in CHARLIE. Stand clear of the closing doors please.” . “Ladies and Gentlemen there is currently an F train in front of us please be patient. I would also like to inform you that there will not be a an F Train following us for quite some time so if you wish to transfer consider doing it at Smith and 9th Street so you can enjoy this wonderful weather.”

I’m not sure if anyone else has been on the G Train while this guy has driven it but I have twice now. He is someone who is MADE for his job. It’s kind of hard to take him seriously sometimes. You wonder if he is just trying to make the day go by faster by excessively giving information about the trains over the intercom. You wonder if it is a parody against most subway train conductors who barely mutter into the intercom and leave you guessing what the hell is actually going on. All I know is when I’ve ridden the G train with this guy as the conductor people actually listen to him and laugh because it’s so excessive. I’d like to give this guy 2 thumbs up and say thank you for making my commute to work that more interesting and bearable today. Hears to New Yorkers that make every minute count (and more randomly wonderful).

C.A.

Brooklyn Cats

consideringcities — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:18:38 +0000

Brooklyn, we run hard.

This Little Kitty is always hanging outside "The Vault" on Bogart Street, Bushwick

I found this poor guy on a factory road near Greenwood Cemetary... how appropriate. It was hard to tell if he got run over or if he was lying down due to the heat and then got run over. I feel as if cats are rarely the victim of straight up roadkill.

2009 West Village Gay Pride Parade- Bustin’ Out the $$$

consideringcities — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:39:34 +0000

Yesterday was the Gay Pride Parade in the West Village. I had never been before, so prior to work I decided to go check it out. It was not only refreshing to see New Yorker’s proudly rally around one single purpose, it was refreshing to see how many local businesses supported the purpose too! Here are pictures of some West Village shops who decorated their windows in support of the Gay Pride Parade:

A touch of rainbow is just the right touch for these businesses:

Magnolia Bakery, hangin’ up rainbow balls for pride,

The Biography Bookshop, a West Village Favorite

Papaya Dog: Another West Village Favorite

And here’s to the corporate chains who dropped inhibitions of loosing some homophobe customers and took on some seriously proud window displays:

Marc Jacobs, certainly the loudest and proudest of all of the windows. Awesome.

Cynthia Rowly’s window tells us that she’s gay about gays.

Brooks Brothers, subtle, but classy.

Ralph Lauren, this may just be a colorful window display that they created as a non- commital sign of pride, but I like it.

But Marc Jacobs takes the cake. No Question

Last but not least, gotta love the sex shops, representing their turf

Ranbow Bright

I thought this was a real man at first.

C.A.