Today was it, our last and final class! That means that this is my final journal post. (THANK GOD)
Today we arrived at Penn at our normal time and walked to West 41st street where we held a class pow-wow at Bryant Park. “Bryant Park, named after William Cullen Bryant, editor, writer, abolitionist, and proponent of such projects as Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After deteriorating into a haven for drug dealers and muggers in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the park has been restored, redesigned, and re-landscaped—without the hedges that formerly concealed the interior from the streets. It reopened in 1992.” [BG pg. 210] This park was a beautiful place for Mike to center our emotions and reflect on the past few weeks. We individually shared our feelings for the class and this experience; the majority of the class loved it and wished that there were another class to fill elective requirements.
Pacing with the good weather, the class ended up at the New York Public Library. Mike told us the Lion statues that sit outside are called “Patience” and “Fortitude.” The New York Public Library is often referred to as “the peoples palace of triumphant glory.”
“It is officially the Humanities and Social Sciences Library of the New York Public Library, one of the NYPL’s four major research facilities, world famous for its collections and much admired for the architecture of its building. The library mounts exceptional exhibitions on literacy, artistic, and historic subjects in Gottesman Hall on the ground floor.” This was the first time I entered this library and was amazed with how beautiful it actually was. I would never of thought to go there on a day off even to just admire its complexities.
In the library, Mike made the class write a Haiku about basically anything we wanted to. As the class dispersed, Mike held Jen and I behind. He took pictures of us reading books and got yelled at by security because no photos where permitted to be taken inside the library. But we all know how well Mike likes to play by the rules. Shortly after not obeying, he was yelled at again and sat down where the security woman came over and tried to scare him. The intimidating woman was no match for Mike Russo though.
Once outside the library, we walked to Grand Central Station. This year the station is celebrating it’s 100th year of existence. Mike and Don shed some lite on a little history of Grand Central. They said that by the 1950’s Grand Central Station was to be shut down due to the increase in car sales and little use for the hassle of going to the station. It wasn’t until Jackie Kennedy Onassis stepped in and rallied for the station to remain open, which it did due to her great success. The architecture of the terminal is absolutely amazing. “Directly behind the Main Waiting Room is the famous Main Concourse (120ft wide, 375ft long). Sheathed in marble and simulated Caen stone, it rises to a cerulean elliptical vault, decorated with the constellations of the zodiac.” [BG pg. 229-230] We saw this ceiling masterpiece but it was being reconstructed due to the dirt and usage it had endured over the last several decades.
From Grand Central Terminal came our mini tour of the Chrysler Building. “The beautiful Chrysler Building was built to express both the luxury and mechanical precision of the automobile in its Jazz Age incarnation. Designed both by William Van Alen and completed in 1930, it is o_ne of New York’s finest Art Deco buildings.” [BG pg. 231] Mike had told us prior to the visit, that it had once been the tallest building in the world for six months until the Empire State Building was completed less then a year form the completion of the Chrysler Building.
Finally out of the building, the class headed for Roosevelt Island. Before that stop, we quickly walked past the famous “News Room” which was built with an art deco style in 1929. This building was unique because it was the first of its kind to have a different top piece to the skyscraper from all its sibling art-deco buildings. We also stopped to look at Tudor City Place. Originally it was called the “great hill” and was one of the first apartment complexes to be built within a skyscraper.
Once we arrived at Roosevelt Island, there was much to see. “Roosevelt Island, its northern tip visible in the East River from Carl Schurz Park, is a two-mile slice of land that was used as a place of exile for madmen, criminals, and incurables. It emerged in the 1970’s as a planned community for people of varying economic backgrounds.” [BG pg. 382] The Queens Borough Bridge can be seen at all angles from Roosevelt Island. As a class we passed by the Small Pox Hospital, which was an awesome sight to see. It was abandoned in the 1950’s and was actually one of the first nursing hospitals in our country. Moving further into the Island, we came across the newly created, Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park. This location was beautiful and offered a great view with a peaceful atmosphere around it. This is where the class got to enjoy the nice weather and take pictures of the beautiful scenery. This is one of my favorite spots we had visited throughout this course. I loved the statue of Franklin D. that was in the park and the quote that went along with it behind the memorial wall.
From Roosevelt Island came time to eat. The class began to complain about Mike’s choice of lunch, which he said he would pay for, which was Indian cuisine. Only a handful of us were brave enough to try it and to be honest, I enjoyed my meal as if it was something I was accustomed to eating. I sat with Stephanie as I watched her break outside her comfort zone and try goat for the first time. To her surprise, she enjoyed it very much and went back for seconds. We were very happy we got a free meal out of the day and I was especially proud that I tried something new for the first time because I am such a difficult eater to begin with.
Lunch was over and we headed to Astoria Queens. Before our departure to Queens, we noticed we lost a few groups of individuals along the way. “The Astoria section of Queens is still the place outside of Greece with the largest number of people of Greek heritage, though today it also has growing Arab and Latino populations.” [BG pg. 499] I was the first group to get to our next destination. Mike let us know that Astoria Queens was always nice. He also said that it used to be the east-coast version of Hollywood, back in the day while becoming a huge cinema district. Popular TV shows are still shot there today such as the ever popular, Sesame Street!
The Museum of the Moving Image was our destination. “The MoMI is one of the biggest attractions in Queens. Its core exhibit, Behind the Screen, looks at the technical aspects of producing movies and TV.” [BG pg. 499] Here they held exhibits that they whole class enjoyed. Some were based on the era and evolution of the film camera, microphones, soundtracks, and many more. My favorite attraction was the actual razor glove from the original Nightmare on Elm Street movie, the mask and costume-makeup exhibit they had on display, and the evolution of the television set. I learned that in the 1920’s, the first TV receiver was used. Then once the CRT was invented, the TV set industry was revolutionized once again. IN the 1930’s the CRT system perfected the television system. We ended the tour by relaxing in the William Fox Amphitheater where we got a quick power nap and phone charge before heading out.
From the museum, we made our way to Long Island City and past MOMA PS1. It was the oldest public school in queens but no longer holds its educational status, once it was taken over by MOMA and turned into a gallery exhibit for the public. It was interesting to see rooms and spaces such as the pond exhibit or the ice room exhibit because they were set up in classrooms that were once there to educate children. Overall, they had some good show rooms and some awful ones such as the ice room, and the trash/garbage display. I liked the big architectural piece that was placed outside of the museum but wasn’t quite sure what it was, but it did look cool!
Quickly trying to wrap up the course, Mike and Don showed us Five Pointz, located between Davis and Crane Street, which was a graffiti park. A place where individuals can draw whatever they want on buildings also on stores that allowed them to graffiti on there property. Mostly everyone says yes, which is the beautiful part of the culture that surrounds the art. It was awesome, in my personal opinion. Mike and Don noted that in a year, due to gentrification, this area might not be there because plans for an expensive apartment complex are already being talked about.
From there we finished off strong with a walk down the east river next to the famous Pepsi-Cola sign. From this location we were able to see the Four Freedoms Park that we visited earlier. It was a nice way to end the evening and good way to end the course. Then Katie and me hiked it back to the subway where we went home and passed out. This class was fun and exciting but by the end, I think all of us have had enough walking and enough art seeing.
Today we arrived at Penn at our normal time and walked to West 41st street where we held a class pow-wow at Bryant Park. “Bryant Park, named after William Cullen Bryant, editor, writer, abolitionist, and proponent of such projects as Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After deteriorating into a haven for drug dealers and muggers in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the park has been restored, redesigned, and re-landscaped—without the hedges that formerly concealed the interior from the streets. It reopened in 1992.” [BG pg. 210] This park was a beautiful place for Mike to center our emotions and reflect on the past few weeks. We individually shared our feelings for the class and this experience; the majority of the class loved it and wished that there were another class to fill elective requirements.
Pacing with the good weather, the class ended up at the New York Public Library. Mike told us the Lion statues that sit outside are called “Patience” and “Fortitude.” The New York Public Library is often referred to as “the peoples palace of triumphant glory.”
“It is officially the Humanities and Social Sciences Library of the New York Public Library, one of the NYPL’s four major research facilities, world famous for its collections and much admired for the architecture of its building. The library mounts exceptional exhibitions on literacy, artistic, and historic subjects in Gottesman Hall on the ground floor.” This was the first time I entered this library and was amazed with how beautiful it actually was. I would never of thought to go there on a day off even to just admire its complexities.
In the library, Mike made the class write a Haiku about basically anything we wanted to. As the class dispersed, Mike held Jen and I behind. He took pictures of us reading books and got yelled at by security because no photos where permitted to be taken inside the library. But we all know how well Mike likes to play by the rules. Shortly after not obeying, he was yelled at again and sat down where the security woman came over and tried to scare him. The intimidating woman was no match for Mike Russo though.
Once outside the library, we walked to Grand Central Station. This year the station is celebrating it’s 100th year of existence. Mike and Don shed some lite on a little history of Grand Central. They said that by the 1950’s Grand Central Station was to be shut down due to the increase in car sales and little use for the hassle of going to the station. It wasn’t until Jackie Kennedy Onassis stepped in and rallied for the station to remain open, which it did due to her great success. The architecture of the terminal is absolutely amazing. “Directly behind the Main Waiting Room is the famous Main Concourse (120ft wide, 375ft long). Sheathed in marble and simulated Caen stone, it rises to a cerulean elliptical vault, decorated with the constellations of the zodiac.” [BG pg. 229-230] We saw this ceiling masterpiece but it was being reconstructed due to the dirt and usage it had endured over the last several decades.
From Grand Central Terminal came our mini tour of the Chrysler Building. “The beautiful Chrysler Building was built to express both the luxury and mechanical precision of the automobile in its Jazz Age incarnation. Designed both by William Van Alen and completed in 1930, it is o_ne of New York’s finest Art Deco buildings.” [BG pg. 231] Mike had told us prior to the visit, that it had once been the tallest building in the world for six months until the Empire State Building was completed less then a year form the completion of the Chrysler Building.
Finally out of the building, the class headed for Roosevelt Island. Before that stop, we quickly walked past the famous “News Room” which was built with an art deco style in 1929. This building was unique because it was the first of its kind to have a different top piece to the skyscraper from all its sibling art-deco buildings. We also stopped to look at Tudor City Place. Originally it was called the “great hill” and was one of the first apartment complexes to be built within a skyscraper.
Once we arrived at Roosevelt Island, there was much to see. “Roosevelt Island, its northern tip visible in the East River from Carl Schurz Park, is a two-mile slice of land that was used as a place of exile for madmen, criminals, and incurables. It emerged in the 1970’s as a planned community for people of varying economic backgrounds.” [BG pg. 382] The Queens Borough Bridge can be seen at all angles from Roosevelt Island. As a class we passed by the Small Pox Hospital, which was an awesome sight to see. It was abandoned in the 1950’s and was actually one of the first nursing hospitals in our country. Moving further into the Island, we came across the newly created, Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park. This location was beautiful and offered a great view with a peaceful atmosphere around it. This is where the class got to enjoy the nice weather and take pictures of the beautiful scenery. This is one of my favorite spots we had visited throughout this course. I loved the statue of Franklin D. that was in the park and the quote that went along with it behind the memorial wall.
From Roosevelt Island came time to eat. The class began to complain about Mike’s choice of lunch, which he said he would pay for, which was Indian cuisine. Only a handful of us were brave enough to try it and to be honest, I enjoyed my meal as if it was something I was accustomed to eating. I sat with Stephanie as I watched her break outside her comfort zone and try goat for the first time. To her surprise, she enjoyed it very much and went back for seconds. We were very happy we got a free meal out of the day and I was especially proud that I tried something new for the first time because I am such a difficult eater to begin with.
Lunch was over and we headed to Astoria Queens. Before our departure to Queens, we noticed we lost a few groups of individuals along the way. “The Astoria section of Queens is still the place outside of Greece with the largest number of people of Greek heritage, though today it also has growing Arab and Latino populations.” [BG pg. 499] I was the first group to get to our next destination. Mike let us know that Astoria Queens was always nice. He also said that it used to be the east-coast version of Hollywood, back in the day while becoming a huge cinema district. Popular TV shows are still shot there today such as the ever popular, Sesame Street!
The Museum of the Moving Image was our destination. “The MoMI is one of the biggest attractions in Queens. Its core exhibit, Behind the Screen, looks at the technical aspects of producing movies and TV.” [BG pg. 499] Here they held exhibits that they whole class enjoyed. Some were based on the era and evolution of the film camera, microphones, soundtracks, and many more. My favorite attraction was the actual razor glove from the original Nightmare on Elm Street movie, the mask and costume-makeup exhibit they had on display, and the evolution of the television set. I learned that in the 1920’s, the first TV receiver was used. Then once the CRT was invented, the TV set industry was revolutionized once again. IN the 1930’s the CRT system perfected the television system. We ended the tour by relaxing in the William Fox Amphitheater where we got a quick power nap and phone charge before heading out.
From the museum, we made our way to Long Island City and past MOMA PS1. It was the oldest public school in queens but no longer holds its educational status, once it was taken over by MOMA and turned into a gallery exhibit for the public. It was interesting to see rooms and spaces such as the pond exhibit or the ice room exhibit because they were set up in classrooms that were once there to educate children. Overall, they had some good show rooms and some awful ones such as the ice room, and the trash/garbage display. I liked the big architectural piece that was placed outside of the museum but wasn’t quite sure what it was, but it did look cool!
Quickly trying to wrap up the course, Mike and Don showed us Five Pointz, located between Davis and Crane Street, which was a graffiti park. A place where individuals can draw whatever they want on buildings also on stores that allowed them to graffiti on there property. Mostly everyone says yes, which is the beautiful part of the culture that surrounds the art. It was awesome, in my personal opinion. Mike and Don noted that in a year, due to gentrification, this area might not be there because plans for an expensive apartment complex are already being talked about.
From there we finished off strong with a walk down the east river next to the famous Pepsi-Cola sign. From this location we were able to see the Four Freedoms Park that we visited earlier. It was a nice way to end the evening and good way to end the course. Then Katie and me hiked it back to the subway where we went home and passed out. This class was fun and exciting but by the end, I think all of us have had enough walking and enough art seeing.
| | |
RSS Feed