What) When I made
the Buckys list, I didn't know how much time we would be
spending in New York so I put everything interesting onto it
just in case. The items that follow are the New York
Buckys that I was looking forward to the most. 
What)
Every year, millions of people ignore Max Neuhaus'
artwork. Neuhaus (who died in 2009) worked with "sound
installations." And if you walk over a certain metal
grating on a well-trod asphalt triangle in Times Square
you may notice a distinctive noise coming from below
ground. It is a sonorous hum that resembles the
echoing aftermath of someone hitting a super-sized gong.
This is "Times Square," his most famous creation.
It was intentionally left unmarked, with no informational plaque about who made it or why, because he wanted people to discover it on their own. And, as the workings are invisible with no obvious speakers in sight, most pedestrians take no notice of the sonics. We watched for a good twenty minutes and didn't see anyone slow down. (1)
Where) Unmarked on the North end of the pedestrian island bounded by 46th and 45th Streets, Broadway and Seventh Avenue.
Why) We actually walked around Times Square and I am fairly sure we even walked over this grate. Perhaps it was not on.
It was intentionally left unmarked, with no informational plaque about who made it or why, because he wanted people to discover it on their own. And, as the workings are invisible with no obvious speakers in sight, most pedestrians take no notice of the sonics. We watched for a good twenty minutes and didn't see anyone slow down. (1)
Where) Unmarked on the North end of the pedestrian island bounded by 46th and 45th Streets, Broadway and Seventh Avenue.
Why) We actually walked around Times Square and I am fairly sure we even walked over this grate. Perhaps it was not on.
Supposedly, this is the grate that the sound comes out of. You can click here to listen to a recording. (2) and (3)
What)
I assume they sell Vladimir Kush prints and hopefully
some of his original works.
Where) 24 East 64th Street #2F (4)
Why) Vladimir Kush is one of my favourite painters. I currently own his $100 book Metaphorical Journey.
Where) 24 East 64th Street #2F (4)
Why) Vladimir Kush is one of my favourite painters. I currently own his $100 book Metaphorical Journey.
What)
The Strand Book Store remains a fiercely independent
family business with Fred and his daughter, Nancy Bass
Wyden, at the helm. We feature the largest rare books
collection in New York City, containing first and
signed editions of many modern books, a large
assortment of hard-to-find art and photography books
and collectibles in every field. With over 200
employees, more than 2.5 million used, new and rare
books, 5 floors, 18 miles of shelves, a renovated main
store and a growing author events program, the Strand
looks forward to offering great books at great prices
to book-lovers worldwide for another 80 years. (5)
Where) 828 Broadway near the corner of 12th Street and Broadway. Mon-Sat 9:30-10:30 Sun 11-10:30 1-212-473-1452
Why) Knowing me as I do, I would have needed a small backpack and about 3 hours to do this store and my interest any justice. Both of those are probably conservative estimates.
Where) 828 Broadway near the corner of 12th Street and Broadway. Mon-Sat 9:30-10:30 Sun 11-10:30 1-212-473-1452
Why) Knowing me as I do, I would have needed a small backpack and about 3 hours to do this store and my interest any justice. Both of those are probably conservative estimates.
What)
The Earth Room is a 22-inch-deep layer of dirt spread
across a 3,600-square-foot gallery space in the middle
of SoHo. Created by American artist Walter De Maria in
1977, it has been a peaceful, quiet sanctuary from the
bustle of the street below for three decades, where
the mix of smells from the streets of New York are
reduced to only one: the rich smell of soil.
To keep the Earth Room in good shape, curators must regularly water the dirt. Occasional mushrooms have been found sprouting in the 280,000 pounds of dirt. Though it would be a difficult piece to transport and reinstall elsewhere, it is estimated to be worth at least a million dollars. The space itself, in Manhattan's trendy SoHo neighborhood, is probably worth much more. (7)
The Earth Room is a work of art that is meant to be viewed, not entered. Please do not touch the work. Photography is not permitted.
Where) 141 Wooster Street, between Prince Street and Houston Street Open Wed - Sun from 12pm - 6pm Free.
Why) I wanted to see if someone could create a peaceful space in the frenzy of New York City.
To keep the Earth Room in good shape, curators must regularly water the dirt. Occasional mushrooms have been found sprouting in the 280,000 pounds of dirt. Though it would be a difficult piece to transport and reinstall elsewhere, it is estimated to be worth at least a million dollars. The space itself, in Manhattan's trendy SoHo neighborhood, is probably worth much more. (7)
The Earth Room is a work of art that is meant to be viewed, not entered. Please do not touch the work. Photography is not permitted.
Where) 141 Wooster Street, between Prince Street and Houston Street Open Wed - Sun from 12pm - 6pm Free.
Why) I wanted to see if someone could create a peaceful space in the frenzy of New York City.
What)
Evolution stands out among the clothing stores and
restaurants in Manhattan's SoHo art district as a
truly distinctive and handsome shop. Tucked into every
corner and crevice of the wood-panelled store are
unique natural history collectibles. Framed
butterflies and insects line the walls, fossils and
seashells in jars crowd wide tables, tribal art fills
glass cases, skulls and skeletons hang from the
ceiling and medical models and posters fill every
spare space.
Evolution's staff is knowledgeable and enthusiastic and they welcome questions about their natural wonders. Their specimens are acquired from the same experts who supply museums and are of a high quality. It is worth stopping by just to marvel at the articulated giant sloth skeleton. (9)
Where) 120 Spring Street Open daily from 11am - 7pm
Why) As you may already know, I am a fan of Ripley's Believe It or Not. This store seemed like it might be selling the stuff that Ripleys won't even let you touch.
Evolution's staff is knowledgeable and enthusiastic and they welcome questions about their natural wonders. Their specimens are acquired from the same experts who supply museums and are of a high quality. It is worth stopping by just to marvel at the articulated giant sloth skeleton. (9)
Where) 120 Spring Street Open daily from 11am - 7pm
Why) As you may already know, I am a fan of Ripley's Believe It or Not. This store seemed like it might be selling the stuff that Ripleys won't even let you touch.
I don't think Pam would have purchased a butterfly no matter where the store was located. (10)
What)
When walking down Church Street in Tribeca, keep an
eye out for a black door with a cryptic white sign
that reads THE DREAM HOUSE. Although this is not your
typical dream house with a 4-door garage, it
guarantees to be a one-of-a-kind experience with its
completely absorbing, constantly fluctuating sound
waves accompanied by neon pink reflections of light.
Created in 1993 by modern composer La Monte Young and visual artist Marian Zazeela (who are married to one another), this is the culmination of 40 years of their work. Zazeela explains that “together, the sound and light can be experienced as a new form, or new media: the sound and light environment. The experience of the two mediums together as one requires a new, or at least different, mode of attention.” For example, unless you are completely still, be prepared to encounter a new collection of pitches with every move you make, as you encounter the various resonating sound fields created by Young. (11)
Where) 275 Church Street Open Thurs - Sat from 2pm - Midnight Adults: $5
Why) It just sounds neat to me.
Created in 1993 by modern composer La Monte Young and visual artist Marian Zazeela (who are married to one another), this is the culmination of 40 years of their work. Zazeela explains that “together, the sound and light can be experienced as a new form, or new media: the sound and light environment. The experience of the two mediums together as one requires a new, or at least different, mode of attention.” For example, unless you are completely still, be prepared to encounter a new collection of pitches with every move you make, as you encounter the various resonating sound fields created by Young. (11)
Where) 275 Church Street Open Thurs - Sat from 2pm - Midnight Adults: $5
Why) It just sounds neat to me.
What)
In 1935, an alligator crawled out of a manhole in
Harlem and was promptly beaten to death. The
unfortunate gator remained unheralded in New York City
until 2001, when artist Tom Otterness incorporated it
into his "Life Underground" sculptures, which are
scattered throughout the subway platforms at 8th
Avenue and 14th Street. (13)
Why) You probably knew that there would be some outdoor sculptures I would want to see in New York. Although it happens to be the only one in this section, it wasn't the only one on the list.
Why) You probably knew that there would be some outdoor sculptures I would want to see in New York. Although it happens to be the only one in this section, it wasn't the only one on the list.
“Life Underground” by Tom Otterness in the 14th Street-8th Avenue Subway Station, September 2008. (14)
