On my way to work one day, I stopped at a traffic light. While waiting, I looked up.
September 9th, 2016
Tag: midtown
Through the ceiling
Attending a briefing at the UN Trusteeship Council Chamber is a remarkable event but same could be said about the chamber itself, dressed floor-to-ceiling in carefully restored elements true to the original designs of Danish architect and designer Finn Juhl.
I think I would be forgiven for getting under the spell of these colourful, beautiful yet practical, retro-futuristic ceiling fixtures for a moment, before going back to work?
September 6th, 2016
The Ugly Giant
Arrived in December 2015 to rival the Gehry skyscraper – in height but not in beauty. 432 Park Avenue is seen by many as an eyesore; its super tall, super thin square shape appears like rising out of nowhere and bears no relation to neighouring buildings. When the weather is low the top floors are lost in the clouds giving literal meaning to the tallest residential building in the world.
Here in b&w because even eyesores look good in it.
November 18th, 2016
The Wearable Chandelier
Just 7000$ buys you the small one that comes with the dress.
September 3rd, 2016
Eyes Wide Shut & Bling
A touch of pre-Xmas kink @ Bergdorf Goodman
September 3rd, 2016
Crafts…Clusive
Inclusive | Exclusive | Inconclusive
September 03rd, 2016
Midtown East, Manhattan
The magnificent Chrysler lobby
How is it to work here every weekday? Can staff still pose in admiration at the elegant art deco murals, marquetry and brass details? Surely there comes a time when the excitement of the first encounter fades, wielding to a seen-it-all-before blasé spirit. When the eye looks but forgets to see. I’m glad I don’t work in the Chrysler Building. Wish I will never have enough of this magnificent lobby.
August 30th, 2016
PS: Surprisingly little information can be found on the internet about the artist of the mural that covers the entire ceiling and upper parts of some walls – quite disappointing given that, when created in 1930, it was considered the largest in the world:
Edward Trumbull, American (1884 – 1968)
Edward Trumbull was born in Michigan and raised in Connecticut. He attended the Art Students’ League of New York and studied in London under the noted muralist, Frank Brangwyn. Trumbull’s style as a muralist was traditional, and he was best known for his ease of bright and varied colors. A long time resident of Pittsburgh, Trumbull painted panels for the Heinz Administration Building in Pittsburgh and used “The Three Rivers” that converge at the city as the theme for the ceiling of the lobby of the Chrysler Building in New York. Two of his murals, located in the South Office building of the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex, are smaller versions of the murals he painted for buildings in Pittsburgh.
Update June 2021: more info can be found on this article by Bookworm History, published in April 2017.
Glowing
Time travel to a ”top hat, white tie and tails” era: the Chrysler Building glowing in the dark.
August 30th, 2016
Logic defiant
Times Square earlier today. People were gathering, quiet, unsmiling, absorbed by the enormity of the logic defiant first results.
This is a day all of us will remember – either way.
November 08th, 2016, Election Day
Reverse the polarity
Archimedes was my ideal. I admired the works of artists, but to my mind, they were only shadows and semblances. The inventor, I thought, gives to the world creations which are palpable, which live and work.
Nikola Tesla
Opposite Nikola Tesla Corner, Bryant Park, W 40th Str. & 6th Ave.
August 28th, 2016
The Humble Fabulist 