Although the day started out rainy and gloomy, we weren't going to let that get in the way of our New York adventure. With our handy dandy Molloy College umbrellas and rain boots, we started to walk the streets of Midtown, Manhattan. We first headed down Broadway, where we were introduced to the city's implementation of pedestrian zones. Here, 5 blocks of Times Square has been blocked off from traffic and has been made into a pedestrian plaza where passersby can lounge around and enjoy the Times Square ambiance. How Times Square is now, was not always how it has always been in the past. Before 1904, Times Square was known as Longacre Square and it was a center for horse exchanges, carriage factories, stables, and blacksmiths' shops (BG p.217). Before the Giuliani administration had cleaned it up, Times Square was once considered a center for drugs, prostitution, and pornography during the 1970's. Man, how things have changed! There are many different opinions about the pedestrian zones and the debate between private versus public space. Some people enjoy having the extra room to move while trying to rush to their job, while others, like taxi drivers, it can be a headache due to the traffic jams that the zones have caused.
After exploring Times Square, we then headed to Rockefeller Plaza, a complex consisting of 19 buildings on 21 acres of land that runs between West 48th and West 51st streets. These buildings centered on one architectural design, Art Deco. We went into the GE building, which is the first building constructed at Rockefeller Center and it is considered the most famous (BG p.248). We were also told that it is the home to NBC Studios. Rockefeller plaza was named after a very wealthy family, the Rockefeller's. John D. Rockefeller wanted to design a commercial center that was "as beautiful as possible consistent with maximum income" (BG p.243). As we walked towards the lobby, the design surely served its purpose, for we felt like we were waking into what would be a futuristic modern universe. As we made our way through the futuristic bubble, we stopped in the lobby and gazed at the beautiful mural above us. The mural was titled America's Progress by Jose Maria Sert. We had learned that before this mural was created, a fresco by Diego Rivera, the husband of Frida Kahlo, was first present. In his fresco, Rivera wanted to illustrate "man's new possibilities from his new understanding of material things" (BG p.249). Rivera who was a Marxist, included a portrait of Lenin in the piece, which caused controversy and was later destroyed. The lobby was the perfect spot for the mural, it gave all its visitors the ability to be awed and taken aback by the artwork. The mural was very mesmerizing. After being visually serenaded by the mural, we then headed outside and was able to have a glimpse of the Lower Plaza as well as the colorful 200 flags from all over the world that surrounded the rink.
The next place on our agenda was MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art on West 53rd street. I was very excited to explore more contemporary and modern art. MoMA was expanded and reconfigured by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi (BG p.260). This museum is not only the place to go for modern paintings and sculptures, but it is also explores drawing, design, photography, and film. We first started out by looking at the Century of the Child exhibit and then headed to the fifth floor, where we explored early cubism in a piece such as Les Demoiselles by Picasso. Picasso referred to this painting as his "first exorcism picture", where he portrays expressionistic and savage prostitutes (BG p.264). We also explored minimalism in works by Barnett Newman such as The Voice and Vir Heroicus Sublimis. The Voice, which almost looks like a blank canvas, depicts a paradox because it almost seems voiceless because it is a little too simple. However, some people would enjoy this piece and say that it is calming and serene. Newman's Vir Heroicus Sublimis, on the other hand, expresses anger with the use of red color. We also explored Jackson Pollock's drip paintings, which we were quite familiar with after visiting The Met. However, some would say that the MoMA has the best single gallery to observe the development of Pollock's work (BG p.266). Pollock's work depicted abstract expressionism during turmoil. It was more cerebral compared to the works by Andy Warhol, which we were able to explore as well, which were more superficial and centered on celebrities and frivolous gratification.
After taking in all of the modern and contemporary art that MoMA had to offer, we headed for lunch in Hell's Kitchen. Although during the 1970's Hell's Kitchen was plagued by drugs and crime, it has started to be gentrified during the 1980's and today, is now considered the go-to-place for food (BG p.227).We ate at a cute Thai restaurant called Yum Yum, which indeed was YUM! I ordered a delicious Chicken with Thai Basil and a refreshing Thai Ice Tea.
After stuffing ourselves with Thai food, we headed to hipster city: Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. While walking through Bedford Avenue, we had learned that gentrification has also started to take place after artists started to settle there. We then arrived at a small but unique museum called City Reliquary. This museum is a non-for-profit community museum that focuses on preserving the history of New York with New York City artifacts and collections. For example, they have an impressive Statue of Liberty collection and memorabilia of the New York World's Fair. My favorite part was seeing the slideshow of the old pictures of little kids getting their first haircut at a local barber shop. This was done in order to show other kids not to be afraid to get their haircuts and if their friends can do it, they can do it too. I recommend this museum to anyone walking the streets of Williamsburg. It is not your typical museum. It has a unique sense of style and you are advised to touch and play with things, which makes the learning process more fun!
After City Reliquary, we then headed to the Brooklyn Art Library, where we learned about the Sketchbook Museum Project, which I would probably say was my favorite part of the day. This Project is a worldwide creative experience that makes it possible for people all over the world to contribute to a traveling library of handmade sketchbooks.One just simply has to pay $25 to get a blank sketchbook and then they can sketch away! When they're done, they send it back to library and it becomes part of the worldwide traveling library collection. Neat, huh? We were able to flip through a couple of sketchbooks that were from sketchers around the world. It was interesting to see how art can connect people around the world.
After the Sketchbook Museum, we passed by many art galleries, which goes to show Williamsburg really is the most experimental art scene in New York. We also passed by the beautiful waterfront some. Some of us ended our day with a little bit of shopping in Beacon's Closet. This is a popular thrift shop and clothing exchange store in Williamsburg. Although we we slightly tired from walking around the city, we will always still have energy for shopping! Till next time!
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