I knew where my walk was taking me today and I was excited. I was told about an interesting artist whose works were in the window of the Gagosian Gallery on Park Avenue. So I got into warm clothes and ventured out.
One of my joys in the City is finding free and wonderful things to do. This was one of them. The windows in the gallery will be lit 24 hours a day through January. I’m pretty sure I’ll be back again a few times and probably at least once in the evening hours to see how they illuminate the art.
The artist is EWA JUSZKIEWICZ, born in 1984 in Poland. One of her quotes: “I find the boundary between beauty and ugliness very fluid.”
I took this photo on my phone from the side window on 75th street, I was there all told about 20 minutes, talking to other people who stopped. I didn’t know a great deal about her, but I’ve been reading. Critics have described her “meticulous technique” with “touches of the surreal, the fantastical and the grotesque.” (from Gagosian website) My reaction? The classics with a twist. Wow!
I’m an art history buff and love discovering artists even if they’ve been around for a while, she is a great find. If you get a chance look her up and read what she has to say about her work and women.
Or…it’s all about the newly opened Pier 26 in Tribeca
Photo by granddaughter
Photo by granddaughter
I was in Tribeca visiting family and we walked over to the newly opened Pier 26. What an amazing addition to the Hudson River waterfront. This Pier has spectacular views with an abundance of places to sit and kids to play. Plus, it’s a recreational, educational and most importantly an ecological space; all rolled into one. And, if time allows, stop to enjoy the view with a nice glass of something at the restaurant near the entrance of the Pier.
This is an art installation by the Garment District Alliance Art Program called IMPULSE between 37th and 38th street on Broadway.
A quote from an article in the Times (Jan 29) on this installation: “Tightening the straps on Gucci purses, tucking in sneaker laces and securing wallets (and wigs) riders push off. Slowly and cautiously at first. Then, after a few lifts into the air: elation. Arms and legs splay out as riders rise into the air…giggles, screeching, then howls”
LOVE THIS CITY WITH ALL ITS SURPRISES!
*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on kaysnycways – but no guarantees people.
OR…bring your sandwich, your popcorn, your water, your other beverage, whatever that might be, your sweater, your umbrella and just sit back and enjoy…The FREE Metropolitan Opera’s Annual Summer HD Festival of glorious operas on the Plaza is here! August 23rd thru September 2nd!
And this year on Friday August 23rd, to kick off the Festival, is one of my favorite movies FUNNY FACE with that beautiful Audrey Hepburn and that charming Fred Astaire….combined with the streets of New York and the landmarks of Paris. . Add to that the gorgeous clothes, a charming love story all tied together with a great soundtrack..thanks to the Gershwin’s. A lovely night under the stars (hopefully) that can take one away from all the craziness in this world at least for a few hours.
Friday, August 23, 8 PM Funny Face Saturday, August 24, 7:45 PM Aida Verdi Sunday, August 25, 8 PM Carmen Bizet Monday, August 26, 7:45 PM Das Rheingold Wagner Tuesday, August 27, 7:45 PM Dialogues des Carmélites Poulenc Wednesday, August 28, 8 PM Samson et Dalila Saint-Saëns Thursday, August 29, 8 PM Cendrillon Massenet( Cinderella – good intro to the opera for kids) Friday, August 30, 8 PM La Fanciulla del West Puccini Saturday, August 31, 8 PM La Fille du Régiment Donizetti Sunday, September 1, 8 PM Luisa Miller Verdi Monday, September 2, 8 PM Adriana Lecouvreur Cilea
Love this City…and adore wonderful free events like this one!
KAY’S NOTES: (Taken from one of my previous posts on the Festival that might be helpful IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Go early – the seats go quickly even though there are 3000 of them! Good to know: The series goes on rain or shine except thunder storms. Suggest you bring extra jacket or sweater as it can get chilly. And, perhaps a seat cushion Where to eat: All over the place. Many people, in fact, bring their own food, drinks and snacks. I, myself, am a popcorn and wine person. Restaurant prices: In the area – varies from hotdog carts to OMG$$$$ Where is it: At Lincoln Center Plaza known as the Josie Robertson Plaza in front of the Met Opera House on the Upper West Side between West 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. Buses and subways close by. Plenty of parking. Met website has all kinds of info on directions. Restrooms: Here’s the tricky part. If there is an event at the David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher) the restrooms are open in the Hall. But if not there are restrooms on the Concourse level below the Met Opera house. There is an elevator to Concourse level on the outside of the David Koch Theater or an escalator in front of the David Geffen Hall. Restrooms also at the David Rubenstein Atrium on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd right across the street. Kid Friendly: Absolutely and stay for a little while or for the whole performance. Lots of kids will be there.
Photo and opera listings by Metropolitan Opera
*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.
OR…What to do in the City on 3 Saturday mornings in August!
The annual car-free festival—which takes over seven miles of streets on the first three Saturdays in August—is returning this year, while the first one on August 3rd is over, there are two more to come on August 10th and 17th from 7 AM to 1 PM. Starting from lower Manhattan to the Upper East Side, with street closures beginning at the Brooklyn Bridge, going up Lafayette Street, and then along Park Avenue from Union Square to the Upper East Side. Check out the website that tells what goes on during Summer Streets describing the rest stops along the way with all kinds of activities….have fun! Remember it’s all over at 1 PM. Note: if you’re driving around the City on these dates be aware of the street closures.
FOR FULL INFO GO TO http://nyc.gov/summerstreets Much of this post was taken directly from the website – no plagiarism on my part (LOL)
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.
Remember that dinosaur I wrote about in Central Park in my last post? Well, as of April 19th, the Bronx Zoo will have a lot more of those creatures including the Dinosaur Parade, the Dinosaur Safari and for International Dinosaur Day on June 1st all kinds of events.. Have fun! https://bronxzoo.com/
Love this City and its many places to find those good old dinos, at least for now!
Photo courtesy of the Bronx Zoo website.
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.
When my 11 year old granddaughter told me, as we were sitting on a bench by the Central Park Zoo watching the animated dinosaur scare some kids, that she was on her school’s softball team and the games would be played on Randall’s Island… I said, “Randall’s Island Park! I love that place.”
Now just so you understand my reaction. I had seen the sign for Randall’s Island many times as I crossed over the RFK Bridge (formerly Triboro) in and out of the City. I was curious about what it was, but that was the extent of my curiosity. Then a few years ago my son told me that his daughter’s soccer team was playing there and did I want to go. Of course, to see her play, cheer on her team and to find out what Randall’s was all about. I was impressed as soon as we arrived. Little kids, big kids, adults in their team uniforms playing in fields all over the place. I didn’t know on that first visit the scope of the Park. It took multiple trips to really grasp it all.
The place is incredible. There are over 60 athletic fields for soccer, softball, baseball, football, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby and more. Space for huge concerts, outdoor movie nights, the Icahn Stadium for track and waterfront pathways for walking or biking. To top it off a mini-golf, golf and tennis centers, picnic spots and gardens. See what I mean. If you’ve been there you know what I’m talking about.
If your driving over the bridge, and time allows make the turn onto Randall’s Island. It’s free. Drive around and see this amazing part of the NYC Park system.( See under KAY’S NOTES directions on ways to get there other than by car). Fields are packed on weekends and after school on weekdays for school teams. Watch some fun games. The views are fantastic and if you decide to walk the path along the river with the City in the distance, take photos, views are that good. And notice the pedestrian bridges where people walk or bike from upper Manhattan. Check out the website packed full of info. /https://randallsisland.org/
One of the pedestrian bridges
Walk along the river
Something for everyone
Driving range
Central Park forsythia trying its best to show its colors
Back to our day at Central Park, the forsythias were just starting to show signs of spring. It was the first nice day after days of cold and rain. We had lunch at that little restaurant* by Sheep Meadow and then made our way to the west side. We headed downtown to see two of my other granddaughters. Delicious smells came as soon as the door opened at my son and daughter-in-law’s. They were preparing a wonderful dinner and after all the hugging and kissing, a beautiful glass of pinot noir came my way. A lovely City day by all counts.
LOVE THIS CITY! Dinos and all! As a special note, if you’re into dinosaurs, Museum of Natural History is the place especially with the addition of the Big Dino. https://www.amnh.org/
KAY’S NOTES
IMPORTANT TO KNOW ABOUT RANDALL’S ISLAND PARK
There are snack bars open during spring and summer with roving carts of hot dogs, snacks and drinks. Yes, of course, restrooms. Except for Icahn Stadium there are very few bleachers or places to sit. Suggest you take a blanket, plus a hat and that good old umbrella just in case. I take my black cashmere cape…but that’s a story for another post..
DIRECTIONS: Easy to get there by car, bus, ferry, walking, biking and shuttle. Some modes, like the ferry and shuttle, operate only during certain events. I suggest you check out the Park’s website. Don’t rely on my directions, more than likely I’d get you lost! /https://randallsisland.org/
*That little restaurant is part of the Le Pain Quotidien chain, they’re all over the City and I like them. On occasion, I’ll write about some restaurants I’ve been to as to give some info that might be helpful on your travels. This location in the Park is a great place to stop for coffee, lunch, a glass of wine. Food is good, staff is nice and has table service and to-go options. Tables are all outside and people watching is primo! If you’re walking your dog, dogs are definitely welcome.
Photos: Courtesy of Randall’s Island Park website, the dinosaur and forsythia photos by my granddaughter.
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.
Or…Did you know those big auction houses, like Sothebys and Christies, have preview days prior to an auction and are open to the public and are FREE?
(NOTE: Life got a little complicated these last few weeks which is why you haven’t heard from me. But, I’m back with my further NYC adventures!)
Fall and spring are the big art auction seasons, however, they go on all the time. And they’re fun to see and I’m all into freebees! If you haven’t gone before, it’s a new way to enjoy the City.
Christies – Rockefeller Center
Sothebys Upper East Side
I saw this stunning work by Gerhard Richter at Sothebys prior to the auction on Contemporary Art on November 14th…and it sold that night for $33,604,500!!!! I watched the auction live stream on my computer. It was an interesting couple of hours as bidders on the phone or sitting with bidding paddle in hand decide what was the highest they would go to own a particular work of art.
Gerhard Richter” Abstraktes Bild
Keep in mind, auction houses sell more than paintings. Example is an auction on the collections of Barbara and Frank Sinatra.
Below is from Sothebys’ website.
Final take? If you want to do something different and perhaps get away from the crowds (except for Christies which is only a block from Rockefeller Center) and see up close interesting and beautiful works of art and other collections along with estimated selling prices shown next to the art… visit an auction house!
And, of course, followed by something nice to drink at a nearby friendly spot, like a sparkling Prosecco, not expensive, low alcohol and delicious as you think back on what you saw and try to make a decision if you could bid on one piece, which one would it be…hmmm.
FUN TO KNOW: Good places for celebrity sightings. GOOD TO KNOW: HBO has a documentary called, The Price of Everythingabout artists and collectors. I was surprised to see that a few of the artists in this documentary had works auctioned the evening of the 14th. KID FRIENDLY? Best for older kids
Photos: Sothebys, Christies, Kay
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.
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