Discovering Columbus

I'm on art appreciation mode and today, instead of a museum, let's take a look at an art installation. 

via pksb.com

There's a place in New York City called Columbus Circle, a rotunda flanked by Eighth Avenue, Broadway and 59th Street/Central Park West.

via gonetonewyork

At the center is a statue of Christopher Columbus standing on a tall column. It was made by Gaetano Russo to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s first voyage to the Americas.

These days, however, the statue is wrapped in scaffolding. No, not for restoration, but for art.

The project is called "Discovering Columbus", a brainchild of Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi.  

The mission: to appreciate the statue in a different light.

 

Tickets are needed to get in. Don't worry, they're free. 

You can get them here.

But you'll have to climb up many, many steps to see it.  I did have to catch my breath at the top.

 The view from above: Central Park

The view below: guests waiting their turn 

Then, you'll be ushered into a living room with Columbus' back greeting you. Quite rude? I think it adds to the drama! 

The space is the artist's interpretation of a modern 

New York City apartment.

But instead of a vase of flowers or a stack of coffee table books, Christopher Columbus is the centerpiece; the art that anchors the room; the sculpture that is larger than life. How many living rooms in New York City can have this for bragging rights? 

The original white marble statue is now 50 shades of gray. Well, it's over a hundred years old {unveiled in 1892} -- time and pollution casually crept up on him. The details, however, have stayed in tact.

The fictional room is convincing with a credenza and television.

There is a shelf with an intelligent collection of books and minimalist ephemera. There are also paintings, as well as black and white photos on display.

The wall paper was also designed by the artist, reflecting his impressions of America as a child: the Empire State Building, Elvis Presley, Mickey Mouse, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Marilyn Monroe.

There is a sectional and several chairs around the statue that welcome guests to sit awhile. With people milling around, it's like a cocktail party hosted by a Manhattan millionaire, showing off his latest digs and art piece.

Here's my point of view while seated on one of the comfy chairs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this experience -- an intimate meeting with Mr. Columbus, who I would otherwise ignore on a regular day when this installation isn't around {just like many other historical statues that dot the city}. Kudos to Mr. Tatzu Nishi for this fresh perspective! What you do is truly blah to TADA!

All About Lunch

When I have a little extra time on my hands, I like to visit museums. This week, I'd like to share with you the museums/exhibits I've been to recently. Maybe like me, you'll discover something new or find a sliver of inspiration.

Have you ever been to the New York Public Library? It's an architectural beauty on 5th Avenue and 42nd Street. Now, if you've filed away libraries into your list of "extinct objects" {like rotary phones and cassette tapes}, don't let this discourage a visit. In its website, it exclaims:

"Libraries are the memory of humankind, irreplaceable repositories 

of documents of human thought and action."

Please tell me I'm not the only one who's fallen in love this line! 

Two lions proudly guard its doors. One is named "Patience". 

The other, Fortitude.

via NYPL

It's a functioning library with reading rooms, complete with high ceilings and frescoes, chandeliers, arched windows, wood furniture, and shelves upon shelves of books.

The're a lovely gift shop on the first floor, and rooms that hold talks, classes and special events.

 There's also a space where exhibitions are staged.

There's an on-going exhibit called "Lunch Hour NYC". How TADA! that something as blah and ordinary as lunch becomes the main theme for a collection of displays. In a nutshell, "The exhibition explores the ways in which New York City -- work-obsessed, time-obsessed, and in love with ingenious ways to make money -- reinvented lunch in its own image." 

New York City has always been a trend-setter {food included}. It's fun to find out the history of everyday things, don't you agree?

The Cafeteria: the concept began at the Childs' Lunch Room, a self-service restaurant where the diner takes a tray, moves it on a counter, chooses food from a selection, pays a very affordable amount, and is able sit anywhere. 

The Automat: addresses the need for speed. Just drop money in a slot and food magically appears!

The Deli: opened by German immigrants who sold cured meats and salads of their homelands. Now, "deli" refers to any store selling cured meats and sandwiches, as well as bread, bagels, smoked fish, and cream cheese.

Props also go to the immigrants who introduced pastrami sandwiches, Jamaican beef patties, sushi, and Chinese take-out, that are as common now as hamburgers and fries.

Street carts and schoolyard vendors: provide quick meals on the go like hot dogs and pretzels.

The Pizza: Genaro Lombardi {Lombardi's} gets the title "Founding Father of New York Pizza" but Patsy Lancieri {Patsy's} gets the credit for selling pizza not just by the pie, but by the slice, turning it from a sit-down meal to lunch on the run.

Take note of the "Pizza Principle" and tell me if you agree.

This wall of metal lunch boxes was pure nostalgia! It's all about school lunches and sandwiches made from Wonder Bread and peanut butter. 

Soda Fountains: they started just by serving soda, but evolved to adding light meals and ice cream concoctions to their menu. It's tiny, but on the top of this photo are a few "luncheonette slang/jargon" {ex. "axle grease" = butter; "put a stretch on it" = sandwich to go}. Fascinating stuff! 

Since all of us have lunch at some point in our day, this exhibit is very relatable and friendly for both young and old. You might even catch yourself saying, "So that's how it all began!"

Lunch Hour NYC

June 22, 2012 to February 17, 2013

New York Public Library

Stephen A. Schwarzman Building/Gottesman Exhibition Hall

A Roadtrip

Hooray and Happy Friday! Do you like road trips? I do!

Today, it's off to Connecticut.

A day trip on a whim...but when traffic
hits, a detour to the local roads.

Local roads that lead to new discoveries like
this cafe I heard about from Martha Stewart.

A baguette to go and a strawberry cream puff
for a mid-morning snack {it was divine!}

Gotta check-out the local market

Tomatoes at their prime

They offer fruit picking & corn mazes...
how fun!

Lunch stop in Madison, Connecticut

The extensive menu at the Clam Castle

The lobster roll was a popular choice

Spending the afternoon at the beach

The sun was out...

...and the water was calm.

And that's how a blah day turned into a TADA! day. 

Must. do. this. more. often.

Have a joyful weekend!

"Tada!" in Atlanta

Today, another page from my summer album:

An airplane ride is a promise of
adventure...even if it's just a
brief trip.

Welcome to Atlanta, Georgia!

It was more of a food trip, really.
Lunches composed of sweet tea,
fried green tomatoes...

...and scrambled eggs with grits & a biscuit
on the side. A satisfying meal from
The Flying Biscuit Cafe.

Pickled vegetables and mini biscuits to
whet the appetite at Southern Art,
Chef Art Smith's restaurant.

Followed by scrumptious fried chicken
and waffles.

A visit to the farmer's market is
definitely on the agenda.

Fruit tarts for two, please.

And on another day, the Food Truck Park...

...for some lunch and a sigh-inducing
gelato.

After all that eating, it's time to gather inspiration!

New and vintage finds at Paris on Ponce.

It's a warehouse-like space with dreamy rooms
and delightful details.

I loved the the Westside Provisions District,
a relatively new development with unique shops
that meet anyone's needs, whether it's food,
fashion, crafts, exercise or interior design.

Atlanta is also associated with Coca-Cola. Didn't join the tour, but popped into the gift shop and found these:

T-shirts made out of plastic bottles

Bags and clutches made of soda tabs

Pouches with wrist handles made of recycled plastic

Pens made from recycled car parts and
sunglasses made from plastic bottles.
Aren't these TADA!?

A cosmopolitan city that hasn't lost its Southern charm -- that's how I would describe Atlanta. I can't wait to return!