In addition to going to Museums, I also love drinking coffee (as if you didn’t already know…).
Bronx Museum Tropicalia (from outside)
The last time I made the trek (which really isn’t so long) to the Bronx Museum was for their hip-hop art show in 2002. Since then they’ve added a new building and greatly expanded their gallery space. O. and I went up for the last day of the “Tropicalia: A Revolution in Brazilian Culture” show last weekend. I had read about Tropicalia in school, count myself along the legions of Os Mutantes fans and got to see Caetano Veloso play at Carnegie Hall a few years ago. What was great to understand was the visual culture that was going on at that time. It was such a strange time- the culture so detatched from the government, but also very much rebelling against it. It’s very 60’s- self-absorbed and visionary, resistant and complacent at the same time. Perhaps we could say that about many cultural movements.
Another great thing about going to the Bronx Museum was when I annoucned I work at another “outer bouroughs” Museum (in order to get free admission) the staff member told me heartily “Welcome to the Bronx Museum!” Outerborough Museum Solidarity!
Coney Island in January
G. and I’s adventures also took us to Coney Island, bien sur! We got there right at the “magic hour” and I took pictures I’ve taken a thousand times before, but I never get tired of the Cyclone, Wonder Wheel or Parachute Drop. One visitor from Milwaukee called the Parachute Drop the “Eiffel Tower of Brooklyn” and I couldn’t aggree more. We walked along the beach and evaded freezing waves (though I heard the Brooklyn Polar Bear club declared it too warm for their New Years dip and instead had a moment of silence for the real polar bears suffering due to melting arctic ice). You can see more photos of G. and my adventures close to (my) home and more Coney Isalnd pics on flickr.
Geese and rain on new years day
On New Years Day we took a walk in Greenwood Cemetary, where Basquiat an Asher B. Durand (among others) are buried and where a flock of parrots, adapted to NYC temperature, live in gothic spires. There was also a flock of geese waddling among the tombs. The walk reminded me of getting lost with G. and H. this summer in Cimietre Pere Lachaisse in Paris, not finding Oscar Wilde’s tomb and wandering around for awhile until we found an exit. I’m starting to realize I like the aesthetics of umbrellas.
Staten Island Ferry Terminal
G. came for a visit from Paris for over two weeks. This time together took us to Maine and all over the city. On New Years Eve we joined a bunch of other friends for a “sunset cruise” on the Staten Island Ferry. What a great way to reflect on the year that’s just passed, seeing S.I. fade into the distance as you nibble snacks in the cold wind and watch the Brooklyn shore pass. It felt like a real cruise and one friend reflected “I just wish the distance between Manhattan and Staten Island was longer.”
Swoon and Ladder
A piece by Swoon and others. I love the light, the patches of color and how the woman almost looks alive.
Umbrellas and Crowds
I just find this so sweet. It reminds me of that Magnetic Fields song “All The Umbrella In London.” But actually positive.
On the wall and floor
There was just so much amazing art that every photo was almost gauranteed to come out good. It gives me shivers to remember being surrounded by so much art and all the people who were there to enjoy it.
Floor Puzzle 3
I love that the pressed tin ceiling becomes a piece of the floor…
Waiting for 11 Spring with Croissants!
Waiting in line, someone had the brilliant idea (along with many, many others) to get croissants. Pain au chocolate eased the 2 hour wait, as did this sweet bunch of friends- there are very few people I could have so much fun standing in the slowest line ever with!
Killerfemme 