Until recently, I assumed all bricked-up windows were once real, functioning windows that got, well, bricked up. While that’s sometimes true, a good portion of the bricked-up windows we see around town were never real. They were designed as blind windows and their purpose was to maintain symmetry in a building’s facade. They’re deceptive since […]
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Niki de Saint Phalle: Moving On Up
Imagine my surprise at seeing Luxembourg’s Blue Lady’s relatives frolicking on Park Avenue! One of the first things I noticed upon arrival in Luxembourg was the iconic Blue Lady, the zaftig sculpture in the middle of town. Not only was she eye-catching, with her bright colors, playful stance and exaggerated curves, but she also served […]
Beach & Hudson
This is my favorite New York street sign, at the corner of, well, Beach and Hudson in Tribeca. The building was constructed in the late 1800’s, at which time it was common to chisel the main street name on the façade (so, this building at 135 Hudson might have read “Hudson Street”) or attach a […]
Bicycle City
From JFK Jr., to Bill Cunningham to today’s fixed-gear fanatics, bicycles have always been a popular way to get around New York. Too bad NYC’s bike share program is delayed until next March. Once unveiled, it will be the largest bike share system in North America, with 600 stations and 10,000 bikes. These programs are […]
West Village Tourists
Approximately 50 million people visit New York City each year. I think a good portion of the young females end up in the West Village, home of the Friends gang and Carrie Bradshaw. My path to lunch was clogged by a hoard of women milling about on the sidewalk, gaping at the real estate. Thanks, […]
World As Canvas
In New York, it’s rare to walk a block without seeing at least one or two creative touches. Here’s some eye-catching touches I saw this afternoon:
Another Vacant Lot
Every once in awhile, you come across a block of Manhattan that’s reminiscent of pre-Guliani/pre-gentrification days (I know, I’m going waaay back. What can I say? I’m really old.). This is a weirdly dilapidated scene. I mean, how much of a hassle would it have been to haul this trailer out of here?
Bright NY
Maybe it was the bright (okay, unyielding) sun, but I noticed a lot of cheerful colors today.
NY Curiosity Shop
I love coming across odd storefronts. Though there are a lot less of these in New York thanks to pricey rents, you can still find them tucked away on older blocks. This was a basement-level store in the Village. Too bad it was closed, or I would have gone inside to get the full story!
In Memoriam
I saw this touching sign in a gated West Village neighborhood garden. It’s a nice reminder that everyone is important.
