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…So appreciative of these beautiful arrangements on Friday
The floral artistry of Lewis Miller provides a wonderful 9/11 tribute on Fifth Avenue at 58th, 55th and 52nd Streets with his spectacular flower flash (His name for these works) designs
Delphiniums plus! Photo by K.
Daisies plus phtoo by K.
Sunflowers and Roses photo by Miller
Roses and roses Photo by K.
KAY’S NOTES: Miller and his team come in the very early morning hours to set up the flower flash and then dissappear as New Yorkers wake up to these stunning pieces.
LOVE THIS CITY!
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Disclaimer – I try for correct info on kaysnycways – but no guarantees people
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…hints on visiting the Met Museum with granddaughters 10, 9 and 7 guided by 2 grandmothers.
I’m pretty sure that most of you already know much of what is in this post, but I’m going to tell you anyway just in case. These hints have worked for me over the years when going with young children. Older kids are a whole other story to be saved for another time.
FOR A FUN VISIT
Suggestion 1: Really helps to have a partner with you – my co-grandmother was the best! Keep your sense of humor (lol)
Suggestion 2: Go early. In fact, if you can get there when the museum opens all the better. It gets very crowded as the day progresses especially on weekends or holidays. We went on President’s Day and met at 10.
Suggestion 3: Although it’s fun going up those big steps to enter the Met, if you can manage them (kids fine, but grandmothers…not so much), an alternative is to use the entrance on 81st street, which is left of the steps facing the museum. The lines are less, there’s a bathroom, coat check, not as crazy as main floor and no steps!
Suggestion 4: Have a plan. Take plenty of photos. Be sure everyone has a map of the museum and check out any special events.
Suggestion 5: Start with something they have seen before and liked or never saw, but you think they would like. We headed to the Temple of Dendur walking through the Egyptian wing with all those hieroglyphics and mummies and jewels… a big hit!
Suggestion 6: Definitely see the knights and armor right off the American Wing. One granddaughter, after looking at them with their lances. weapons and shields ready to battle said, “And I’m afraid of the basketball?”
Knights and Armor – always a good stop!
Suggestion 7: See the classics and watch out for boredom. It can happen quickly. Impressionists are good as is the contemporary wing. We only made it to the impressionists, which they liked as they recognized some of the works.
Suggestion 8: Any special exhibits? We saw JEWELRY: THE BODY TRANSFORMED with unique pieces, such as these sandals. It was our unanimous opinion that they would be very uncomfortable especially with one toe missing.
YIKES!
We took our photos under the glass enclosed gold jeweled encrusted crown pretending we were wearing it atop our heads. The other wasn’t bad — but we went for the bling
Bling? Oh yeah!
Coffee? Mine. Rest? theirs!
Suggestion 9: Eat before they are starving. Go early! Cafeteria downstairs is great and has all the food they like. During lunch we talked about our favorite artists. One of our granddaughters couldn’t remember an artist’s name, but said he was her favorite. He drew pictures without faces she said and sketched a rough drawing on her paper cup. We all knew at once who the artist was, just couldn’t remember the name either. So we googled it and discovered, of course, Keith Haring!
Photo courtesy of Keith Haring Foundation
Suggestion 10: Before you leave stop at the gift shop for a souvenir. Price limit is a good idea. We set under $10…lots of choices, they were happy. We had stayed about four hours, which is just about the right amount of time for this age group. I think! We all had a really great time.
CLOSING WITH MY USUAL ‘LOVE THIS CITY’ WITH THE ADDITION OF “AND LOVE SHARING IT WITH GRANDCHILDREN”!
KAY’S NOTES:
It was really fun and they want to do it again. In fact, our next trip will be to The Whitney. A whole other vibe as suggested by my good friend and co-grandmother! Of course, we’ll return to the Met we only touched the tip of this cultural masterpiece.
THE WHITNEY
Photos courtesy of Met Museum, Keith Haring Foundation, The Whitney and my smart phone.
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.
Or…Want a free pass to a NYC museum? Pull out that library card!
You’ve seen those infomercials that tell you to order some wonderful miracle product that you can’t live without and once they’ve almost got you hooked…they throw in…”But wait…there’s more!” And then they tell you about some great thingamajig that goes along with the other thingamajig and there you are…ordering. Well friends, that’s what’s going on with a New York , Queens or Brooklyn Library card!!!!
Here’s how it works
Use that library card to borrow those books, do that research, watch that movie, attend that lecture, use their restrooms and then..to reserve a free museum pass . All you have to do is go to the Culture Pass website enter your library card number and password and select the venue of your choice. If you don’t have a library card now’s the time to get one. Anyone who lives, works or studies in New York State can get a NYPL library card and even if you’re just visiting there’s a short term visitor card available (didn’t know that).
The day the program was announced, July 15th, the NY City Library received over 5000 on-line applications for library cards usually it’s about 290! But wait there’s more…over 9,500 free passes to the Met Museum, Whitney and MoMa are now reserved-sold out (well not sold ’cause it’s free). There are 33 institutions in Culture Pass and more coming. One caveat – you can only go once a year to each venue. Good news is that a pass can be for 2 to 4 people depending on the institution. This City and Library initiative is focused on allowing more access to the culture this City has to offer that may not otherwise be affordable to many. The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum is on the list and its ticket alone can be $33 for one person.
Culture Pass is THE hot ticket
Right now(July 23) all passes are gone, but as of August 1 and the first of every month thereafter reservations are open again.
My friends from across the country talk to me about the cost of living in NYC and discuss how their rotisserie chickens are only $4.99 and gasp at my $8.99. Of course, they’re right, but you can’t beat the quality and quantity of free-bees this City offers. (Let’s not talk about apt costs and parking-that’s a whole different story) BTW the Met Opera’s free summer HD outdoor series starts on August 24th – more info in my next post.
AS ALWAYS, LOVE THIS CITY!
KAY’S NOTES: (Now that news of Culture Pass has hit all the papers and social media many of you are probably well aware of this program; however, I thought I would be remiss if I didn’t write this post just in case.)
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: From Culture Pass website: Dozens of organizations participate in Culture Pass, from children’s museums and public gardens to historical societies and heritage centers. View the full list of participating organizations to see what interests you — whether it’s fine art or history, nature or photography. https://www.culturepass.nyc/
The Met has announced a major change in how to pay to enter this spectacular museum.
From New York State? Can still pay-as-you-wish, if not, check this out.
From their website:
With this update, our pay-as-you-wish policy will continue for New York State residents and students from across the tristate region, while visitors from outside New York will be required to pay mandatory admissions; admission for children under 12 will remain free. The Museum will also now honor full-priced admissions tickets for three consecutive days, giving all visitors more time to experience each of The Met’s three locations. We anticipate that the mandatory admissions component will affect approximately 31 percent of our annual visitors. General admission is $25 for adults; $17 for seniors; $12 for students; and free for Members, Patrons, and children under 12.
Now that that’s settled, and you’re going, here’s a helpful bit of info I think I’ve mentioned before. It’s for those of us who prefer not to walk
Easy way to enter The Met
up those steep stairs at the main entrance, there is a better way to go. To the left of the main entrance (south side) there is an entry to use without stairs. Great for us seniors, wheelchairs, strollers. In addition, there is a coat check, restrooms, and usually a much shorter line to pay admission plus a small discounted Met shop.
Weather is warming up and in keeping with spring, the Met has a beautiful new exhibition opening March 12th, Public Parks, Private Gardens from Paris to Provence. So come on in!
Love this City and love love love The Metropolitan Museum of Art!
KAY’S NOTES: Important to know: Check out their website for everything The Met has to offer. https://www.metmuseum.org/ And it’s not just their magnificent art!
Where to eat: Want to sit, have a cup of coffee, no rush and enjoy the view? Try the cafe at the American Wing.( good for kids) For something more than coffee, there are a few to chose from. Ask for dining options when you pay your admission. Kids in tow? You probably know there is a cafeteria in the lower floor that serves all their favorites.
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.
“Jihan Zencirliwill install thousands of compostable, biodegradable balloons in a series of installations in January and February – her largest project to date. The balloons will range in size from ten inches to ten feet, and will live inside NYCB’s home at Lincoln Center. As Zencirli explains, “Balloons are only for a moment. They disappear and vanish. So rooted in my work is this reminder that you will only have this experience at this particular time. You’re here, you’re seeing it, you’re alive.”
Jihan Zencirli is a Turkish American visual artist, experiential writer and performance artist, creating under the moniker GERONIMO. Her interest lies in creating emotional and physical spaces that can break up the monotony of a day, connecting us to one another and bringing joy. She is most notable for her internationally regarded ephemeral sculptures located in public spaces, massive in scale and scope, and designed to be democratic in their availability.”*
And you don’t have to buy a ticket to the New York City Ballet, but you could, they are wonderful. The NYCB will host FREE, open hours for the general public to view the exhibition February 17 through February 25 at the following times: Mon-Fri 10 AM – 6 PM: Sat 10 AM – 12 PM : Sun 10 AM – 1 PM.
Wow…never know what’s coming in this great City! Love it!
GOOD TO KNOW: Lincoln Center brings us yet another FREE wonderful event. This one is part of the New York City Ballet’s art series at the Koch Theater.
*Photo and excerpt courtesy of NYCB website
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.
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