Random Things, #5

More random things.

Federal Hall National Memorial on Wall Street.  Site of the first capitol of the United States under the Constitution.  Site of the April 30, 1789 inauguration of President George Washington.  The current building pictured above replaced the original building and was constructed in the 1830's-1840's.

Roosevelt Island in the East River:  NYC's former smallpox quarantine hospital, which dates from 1856.  The castle-like ruins are stabilized and preserved for viewing.  A good place for a haunted house or a good film location?

S. 

The Helmsley Building, 230 Park Avenue, lit to celebrate the Mets in the World Series. Greg's office was on the 22nd floor.

Only in New York City (Mitzvah Tank)

During a recent walk down Park Avenue, we noticed the Mitzvah Tank.  It was hard not to notice this motor home with the intriguing name and info on the side.  We were curious.  We snapped some photos (below) and did some research.

 

According to mitzvahtank.com, the first Mitzvah Tank, a Ryder van, appeared in the streets of NYC more than four decades ago, in 1974.  Over time, many more tanks were added and motor homes replaced vans.  Plus, the battalion of tanks spread beyond NYC to many cities around the United States--such as Chicago and Los Angeles--and beyond the U.S., including cities in Israel and France.  (So, Mitzvah Tanks are not an Only in NYC phenomenon.)     

Why a batallion of Mitzvah Tanks?  Well, the group Chabad Lubavitch employs a Mitzvah Tank as a mobile education center or synagogue.  A "mitzvah" is a commandment or good deed.  Passersby who are Jewish are invited to learn more about Judaism and to perform a mitzvah. 

Coincidentally, Hanukkah begins a week from today.  So, if you see a Mitzvah Tank, you might see menorahs with candles being handed out.

Only in New York City.  (Well, not exactly.)

Fare Share Friday

We had the good fortune to serve at a wonderful event yesterday.  The event was a sit down, plated multi-course dining experience.  The cuisine was specially prepared in the kitchens of the Waldorf-Astoria and the Palace, with assistance from the Four Seasons.  The venue was one of the iconic New York landmarks that hosts many special events.  The guests were several hundred New Yorkers who are homeless, plus many other guests.  The event was Fare Share Friday.

The story goes like this.  More than a year ago, a community activist asked a group of homeless New Yorkers what other services might benefit the homeless.  Among the answers was a comment that it would be nice to get a good meal following Thanksgiving Day.  The consensus was it was easy to get a good meal on Thanksgiving.  On the Thursday of Thanksgiving, many caring organizations and individuals would serve a nice Thanksgiving dinner.  Not so, the day after.  Fair Share Friday was born.     

In our experience, many New Yorkers are can-do, caring  people.  First, a grass roots organization of local residents took ownership of the event.  Next, two local hotels eagerly agreed to share their talent and cuisine.  Finally, a top-shelf international advertising agency pitched in with branding the event.  The result was the first Fare Share Friday in 2014. 

The second annual event occurred yesterday.  We served as greeters and table escorts, welcoming all of the guests.  We took some photos to share.

The event was hosted at St. Bart's church on Park Avenue.  Many secular events are hosted there.  With the pews removed, the space is uplifting and warm. 

One of two overflowing dessert tables awaiting the guests

A table ready to receive guests

Greg and Susan after the event

P.S.  Greg especially liked the name of the Fare Share Friday event because it is very similar to a product his former company once offered--Fair Share Plus.  He took the similarity as a sign that we must participate.  We are glad that we did.

Manhattan Invaded, Creatures Captured!

In a daring surprise invasion, a group of giant balloon beings attacked Manhattan this week.  

Law enforcement reacted quickly and apprehended all of the miscreants.  Because the jail was too small to hold the invaders, a holding area was improvised with nets and ropes to restrain the gigantic gang.  

Here are photos of the makeshift jail.  Some of the invaders are well known. Their motives were unclear initially.

This fearsome creature wishes he could gnaw through the netting.

1 of 2:  Wings clipped and grounded

2 of 2:  That is one angry bird

Trapped but still chugging

Bearly able to move

The net wasn't big enough.  The captive ate the tree leaves.

Is this what happens on a gluten-free diet?

Captive but still smiling.  Ready to chew when no on is looking.

This balloon giant was depressed and deflated at being captured.

The NYPD keeping everyone safe.

Overnight, one of the captives gnawed his way free and then freed all of the other invaders.  As the sun rose over Manhattan, the enormous troupe revealed their plan--to join the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  The city collectively breathed a sigh of relief.  The outcome was a happy turn of events for all.

This scary balloon being was initially a major cause for concern.  It turns out, he was Toothless (from How to Train Your Dragon).

A Mighty Morphin Power Ranger also caused concern.  This Ranger, known as Red, was actually here to protect the people of NYC.

That is still one Angry Bird, name is Red

This large dinosaur was part of the balloon gang.  Dino, a traditional favorite, returned to the parade this year.  Great to see.

No longer depressed and deflated, Ronald McDonald struts his stuff on the parade route (new for 2015)

Kool-Aid skateboards down the street without spilling a drop

SpongeBob SquarePants leaps down the street

Thomas the Tank Engine rolls down the line.  Doesn't Thomas look like another famous train engine?

That's right!  Thomas must be descended from royalty. 

Paddington, late for a train, runs to the station

Mr. Peanut and his Peanut-Mobile

AFLAC!

Snoopy and Woodstock sail down the avenue

The main dude arrives and all is wonderful

An adoring fan waves at the main dude

It was a wonderful day in NYC.

Bryant Park in Winter

Among the wonderful parks in New York City is Bryant Park, named for William Cullen Bryant and located next to the New York Public Library main branch.

For most of the year, the park offers a welcoming oasis in a busy city.  Visitors can relax, learn to juggle, play bocce, lunch with friends and coworkers, read a book, etc.

Bryant Park during the warm season

Juggling class in Bryant Park during September

Along about October, Bryant Park is transformed into the Winter Village with the addition of shops, restaurants and a free ice skating rink.  We recently visited the Winter Village on a cold, sunny day.  Here are some photos.

Skating in Bryant Park

Even penguins like to skate

Penguin Pete, also known as Old One Eye, is fortunate that this stern looking young skater is guiding Pete.  Pete is known to run into other skaters or the wall due to his poor depth perception.

Penguin Pat, a no-eyed cousin of Pete.  Thank goodness for this nice girl who is guiding Pat around the rink.

Some random hottie found a sock shop and is as happy as can be.

One of the many Winter Village shops is Mr. Puffin, which serves cream puffs and all sorts of warm treats.

Another photo of Mr. Puffin.  Susan was disappointed to learn that none of the treats actually include Puffin.  Susan will have to return to Iceland to enjoy that treat again.

Pollock at MoMA--Redux

The Jackson Pollock exhibition opened at MoMA this week.  As promised, we attended and here is our report.

The assembled collection spans a dozen years of his life and is certainly worth a visit.  If you are a Pollock fan, it is a must see.  

What struck us most was the fact that some of Pollock's very good work was largely renditions of the works of others.  Until he found his own voice and created his masterpieces, he was an effective emulator of the styles of contemporary masters, such as Picasso, Matisse and Dali.  To be fair, nearly all artists learn from others and emulate the styles of those who have gone before.  The best paintings in the collection are Pollock's drip and paintings.  While he drew on the abstraction movement, he neither emulated nor copied.  Those masterworks were novel and a leap forward.  

The exhibition is traditional.  It follows the long-standing formula of offering an introduction about the artist, then works are presented in chronological order with short blurbs about each item.  An audio guide also helps visitors learn about the artist and the artworks.  The same formula has been followed for decades.

There is so much more to the experience that is being missed, especially with regard to more recent artists and especially in light of available technologies.  In the case of the current Pollock retrospective, a more engaging exhibit might include some of the following:

• Instead of a static, passive written introduction and photograph, why not let Jackson Pollock speak for himself.  He gave recorded interviews that are preserved.  What would be more engaging than actually seeing the artist on a large screen and hearing his words? 
• Not only were Pollock interviews recorded, he was filmed while painting in his Long Island studio.  In the case of Pollock's masterpieces, the painting process--dripping and pouring liquid paint--is as important as the finished product.  Art as an expressive mental process is one of Pollock's contributions.  Why not show it in action?

• While Pollock likely intended for all of his art to be hung on gallery and museum walls so that it could be viewed in the traditional manner, admired and sold, he painted many of his works on gigantic canvasses on the floor of his studio.  So, it would be worthwhile to place one of his masterpieces on the floor for viewing (well-protected, of course).  Visitors could then better understand how Pollock approached his canvasses, how he painted and repainted, and how he viewed the result. 

• Another  engaging alternative would be to use projection mapping on a large blank canvas on the floor.  The projection would show how the process progressed toward the finished result--sort of a virtual time lapse painting demonstration.
• Another gap in the exhibition is the absence of works of other artists that Pollock emulated.  A small black and white image of works that Pollock saw and emulated would put Pollock's work and talent in perspective.  

Of course, it's easy to say what might be done without considering budget, space and academic sensibilities, not to mention the expectations of patrons.  Still, modernizing art exhibition at the world's greatest museums is a worthwhile experiment.

Even without enhancements, the exhibition is worthwhile.  We took a few photos to share.  

Stenographic Figure (1942)

Gothic (1944)

The She-Wolf (1943)

There Were Seven in Eight (1945)

Shimmering Substance (1946)

Full Fathom Five (1947)

Number 1A, 1948 (1948)

One: Number 31, 1950 (1950)

Detail of One: Number 31, 1950 (1950) (lower left quadrant)

Detail of One: Number 31, 1950 (1950) (upper right quadrant)

Untitled (1951)

Easter and the Totem (1953)

White Light (1954)