••• nyc daily photo

victoria & eucantha

2010-07-29T22:30:00.000-04:00

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Victoria & Eucantha - Philip Grausman - fiberglass
Pratt Institute - Clinton Hill, Brooklyn [map]
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Today my footsteps took me to Clinton Hill, a Brooklyn neighborhood which, in the late 19th century, was the most prestigious address in Brooklyn after Brooklyn Heights. Charles Pratt, Brooklyn's wealthiest resident and the first refiner of kerosene oil put the neighborhood on the map when he moved into his mansion there. Fellow tycoons such as Pfizer, Bristol and others followed him to "the Hill". One of Pratt biggest project was Pratt Institute, a design and engineering college. The pretty campus has a sculpture garden, which is where I came face to face with this giant head.
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Label reads:
Phillip Grausman
In an effort to universalize and idealize the female head, Grausman has chosen a technique skillfully modeling these overscale heads with an impersonality that reaches back to the ideals of Greek sculpture. (However they all start with actual models)
Because of scale, heads becomes body, the pure white of the fiberglass has the glow of pure marble. They command, they invite, they have a lively presence.

Is it me or she looks like Tilda Swinton?

opération clafouti

2010-07-28T19:30:00.006-04:00

raspberry clafouti
I needed a good excuse to start blogging again after being a little too busy at work those past months. So I challenged Conrad and Virginia to join me in an important and experimental culinary mission: operation clafouti. Each of us was to prepare a clafouti and take a picture. They were both game and did a fantastic job which will make you salivate with much better pictures than mine:
• Viriginia's clafouti
• Conrad's clafouti

raspberry clafouti - ingredients

[pause]

2009-10-07T20:55:00.003-04:00

Let's pause for a moment.

I am taking a little break. I have just moved to a new position and will hold off on the posts of this blog until things settle down a little and I can figure out how this old bloggy blog stuff can fit into my new schedule. Assuming I can figure out what my new schedule will really be like. ;)

In the meantime, I leave you with this illustration of a good relaxing Brooklyn pause. That was a few months ago, as you can see from the dress code of these gentlemen on the Brighton Beach boardwalk.

brighton beach boardwalk - brooklyn - map it here

would you care for your daily serving of fruits?

2009-09-24T23:16:00.004-04:00

still life: fruit, 1855, oil on canvas, by severin roesen (active in america 1848-1872) - the metropolitan museum of art - 1000 fifth avenue - map it here
You know what they say, right? An apple a day keeps the doctor away! As do five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Preferably fresh.
Well, those pictured here above are very tempting. Although not that fresh. Severin Roesen's painting date back to 1855. I do, however, appreciate that they come with a flute of Champagne.
You can admire them up close, together with the wax composition in front of it and the crazy furniture by a famous New York cabinet maker of the time, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Here below, what you can read on the label of this piece, followed by a little background on the artist from Wikipedia.

Label text
Originally a porcelain painter, Roesen came to New York about 1848, possibly as a result of political upheavals in his native Germany. His lavish, highly detailed still lifes celebrate nature's bounty while showcasing his technical virtuosity. Such depictions of abundance reflected the increasing availibility and variety of fruit in this period, the result of improvemens in cultivation and transportation.

Born in Germany, Severin Roesen, a young practicing still-life artist, came to the United States to live in the mid 1800's. He originally lived in New York upon coming to the country but settled in Williamsport in 1860. Many of the area residents commisioned Roesen's work and he became good friends with some of those individuals including Peter Herdic who hung some of Roesen's paintings in the Herdic Hotel.
Roesen disappeared from the Williamsport and from record in 1872, although there is a work dated for that year. Various reports indicate that he died in Philadelphia, New York, or Williamsport but there are no death records to substantiate this information.
Although Roesen was famous for his work in the Williamsport area, it wasn't until 100 years after his death that his paintings were brought to the attention of the larger public by First Lady Jackie Kennedy when she hung several of his paintings in the newly refurbished White House. To this day, many local Williamsport residents appreciate his work and talent and many private residents have some of his paintings which have become family heirlooms that are passed down through the generations.

3,644,547,722,792

2009-09-23T20:07:00.000-04:00

joe louis plaza - map it here
3,644,547,722,792... that's quite a number. It's in "metric tons of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere today". Are you scared yet?

buccolic central park

2009-09-22T21:25:00.000-04:00

central park great lawn - map it here
Aaaah... pretty, isn't it? Did I tell you I love my neighborhood? :)

liquifying

2009-09-21T16:20:00.002-04:00

building reflection on the Grand Hyatt facade - 109 East 42nd Street - map it here
The old reflected in the new, almost liquifying on its glass facade. The old one is the Metlife building behind Grand Central Terminal. The newer one is the Hyatt Hotel. And that blue blue sky? Bonus of the fall in New York. :)
Yes, it's officially here: Happy Fall, everyone! :)

waiting, impatiently

2009-09-20T07:24:00.003-04:00

second hand books for sale - broadway in the upper 70ies - map it here
This one is inspired by Daryl's series of doggies Waiting Impatiently for their humans.
You may have to enlarge it - in this version, the little guy is pretty tiny. Yep, and in plastic. Cute puppies (and sexy bodies) have the reputation to boost sales. I hope our little plastic guy does a good job at that.

grand central meets metlife building

2009-09-19T07:40:00.002-04:00

grand central station & metlife building - 89 E42nd St. - map it here
It's a classic. And it's been a while since I took some pictures in my old 'hood.
Here, a little bonus courtesy of Improv Everywhere, a group of New York pranksters extraordinaire.

fashion shoot

2009-09-15T22:02:00.003-04:00

grace building - 1114 avenue of the americas - map it here
It's Fashion Week this week in Bryant Park. Coïncidence or not, I caught this photo shoot a couple of blocks from there, in front of the Grace Building. You know, that building with a concave slope. Look at those platform shoes! How fabulous.

mode gourmande chez macy's

2009-09-14T22:44:00.003-04:00

macy's - herald square (51 W 34th St) - map it here
It's fashion week. So let's be deliciously fashionable at Macy's with this little red dress covered with plastic plates. Something to think about before you throw out those picnic plates at your next garden party. Recycle!! As for me, I'm thinking that little purplish coat (4th from the left) has my name all over it. Oh oui!!

tennis, anyone?

2009-09-13T10:57:00.001-04:00

tennis courts in bryan part - midtown - map it here
Well, this is one of those days when you gotta put a bottle of Kriek to chill so you can pour yourself one tonight, maybe a side of fries with a little mayo (of course) and be in full Belgian mood to cheer for your compatriot at the US Open finals. Go Kim!!
And this picture? Well, it is about a week old. And if you look right there, in Bryant Park, you'll see two blue tennis courts. I've heard McEnroe was seen hitting a few balls. Now the tennis courts are gone, and Fashion Week has taken over the park. So comes tomorrow, everybody in stilletos!

ladies who brunch

2009-09-12T13:44:00.004-04:00

atlantic blue crab salad (mango, cucumber, jicama, hearts of palm, curry vinaigrette) - met trustee dining room - 1000 fifth avenue - map it here
This is what happens when a couple of girlfriends decide to have a long-overdue civilized brunch. For now, you can just admire and salivate. But when you'll have paid your museum membership, you'll be able to call and book a table overlooking Central Park for your next brunch. And you'll be able to go to the museum whenever you please. And have great discounts at the museum shops where original gift ideas abounds. Oh and, you'll be able to deduct your membership from your taxes. And call yourself a sponsor of the arts. And that, that's pretty cool!

what planet are you from?

2009-09-10T21:11:00.005-04:00

planetarium at the museum of natural history - upper west side - map it here
Today, un peu de philosophie, shall we?

“Maybe men and women aren't from different planets as pop culture would have us believe. Maybe we live a lot closer to each other. Perhaps, dare I even say it, in the same zip code.”
Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

09.09.09 @ 9:09pm

2009-09-09T21:09:00.001-04:00

empire state building @ 9:09pm on 09.09.09 - map it here
The color du jour is orange for the Empire State Building, in honor of the 400th anniversaire of Henry Hudson's arrival at New Amsterdam.

You can learn more about this week's events:
• with this NYT article, where you'll learn that the Dutch invested 24 dollars to purchase the island of Manhattan and more great pieces of information
• and the site dedicated to the week-long celebrations: http://www.ny400.org

procession of tiny little sailboats on the hudson river

2009-09-08T23:12:00.007-04:00

procession of sailboats and military vessels on the hudson river - midtown
This picture turned sepia in honor of the 400th anniversaire of Henry Hudson's arrival at New Amsterdam, what is now New York City.
OK, back to 2009! You may have to enlarge this one as it is very small (taken from my office window).

You can learn more about this week's events:
• with this NYT article, where you'll learn that the Dutch invested 24 dollars to purchase the island of Manhattan and more great pieces of information
• and the site dedicated to the week-long celebrations: http://www.ny400.org

esb seen from dumbo

2009-09-07T06:57:00.005-04:00

dumbo (district under the manhattan bridge underpass) - map it here

Can you see it?

NB: for those of you not fully awake yet: ESB = Empire State Building

a comfy chair

2009-09-03T23:54:00.001-04:00

olde good things, architectural salvage & altered antiques - 5 E16th Street - map it here
I could not stop laughing when I saw this silly skeleton chair the other day. Then of course, I had to enter the store and explore. Fun!! They have a lot of great items: two theater chairs, an old ceiling fan from old JFK airport, a vintage turnstile that once stood in a school cafetaria, etc. Worth your visit if you like great finds and flea markets.
Here's our little friend from the back.

flower corner at night

2009-09-02T21:45:00.006-04:00

w14th street & 6th avenue (I think) - map it here
First, let me apologize: I did not have time to warn this poor woman that she would be part of this picture although she left home forgetting to wear her pants. And obviously she couldn't find her bra either. Ah bah, we are all a little forgetful at times. Mean, moi? Nah, just observant.
The reason I am showing this corner shop outside of a deli is that it is such a quintessential sight of New York City. And this is a blog about New York City, you know. I also like how all those artificial colors make that flowery corner pop at night. Poor flowers though.

don't forget to stretch

2009-09-01T22:30:00.002-04:00

coney island boardwalk - brooklyn - map it here
If you need inspiration for your next stretching session, here's a few ideas.

knock, knock!

2009-08-31T22:55:00.005-04:00

nevin st - brooklyn - map it here
No idea who could possibly show up behind that door. I did no knock. I did not dare. But I thought the door was cute is a weird way. In the middle of a somewhat industrial block, it was bright, lively, and popped against all the grey that surrounded it. The perfect amount of loud and outrgeous. And the weeds added a lovely touch.

an inauspicious sky

2009-08-28T23:14:00.000-04:00

manhattan island viewed from brooklyn heights
When the end of August is near and fashion week is approaching, rain, wind and angry skies are to be expected in New York. It's pouring today and our weekend should be more of the same.
This is a picture of the Financial District taken from Brooklyn Heights about a month ago. I thought the atmosphere was perfect for today's weather mood.
Here, another one. Before the big cloud took over the sky.

that crazy little back house in red hook

2009-08-27T20:52:00.001-04:00

26 reed st - red hook, brooklyn - map it here
It's a little black house in an almost empty street in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

A little back house outrageously decorated with maritime artifacts. Which reminds us that Red Hook was once home of Brooklyn longshoremen and other blue-collars.

A little black house that you just can't help admire, that makes you wonder and smile.

To learn more about the little black house, don't miss:
• http://nyportraits.blogspot.com/2009/07/ralph-in-red-hook-brooklyn.html
For ideas of things to do in Red Hook:
• http://brooklynbased.net/everything/red-hook-day-trip
To learn more about Red Hook:
• http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/redhookjustice/redhook.html
• http://www.redhookwaterfront.com

shoot the freak

2009-08-26T20:09:00.005-04:00

shoot the freak - coney island, brooklyn - map it here
From one scary place to another...
Today, Coney Island where you can "shoot the freak".
Oh fun! Well they don't call it "entertainment for the hole family" for nothing. The "hole family", what a subtle sense of humor. Oh boy.
So how much to shoot the freak, you ask? Well, here's the pricing list!

And in case you think it's super expansive "and stuff", let me remind you that the freak is a live human target in this lovely paintball game. What next? Shooting bears out of an helicopter maybe? Nah... that would really be too freaky, wouldn't it?

If you want to want to see how it works, head over here for a good selection of amateur videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i_Pzeq_4aI

home tweet home

2009-08-25T22:00:00.004-04:00

carroll gardens - brooklyn - map it here
After yesterday's picture, I feel I have to rehabilitate Carroll Gardens and show you a lovely entrance. See, someone told me it used to be Gotti's neighborhood. I have even heard that it is one of the best place to leave your car unattended in the city. It will be well guarded. But I am a nice person, you know. I don't want any trouble. So here is another one to show you how hospitable the neighborhood is. Isn't this just darling?