'Ruffled Neck' Michael Thompson© NYC 2007
The luxury of an art filled afternoon can be accomplished, even in NY, on the cheap…
The art stroll:
International Center of Photography: 6th and 43rd – $12.00 general admission
This year, the ICP is focused on fashion:
Fashion Photography Now: Prints and magazine spreads-many from the Times Magazine and Italian Vogue.
This Is Not a Fashion Photograph: Considers the roots of contemporary fashion photography. Photographs by Gordon Parks, Bruce Davidson, Walker Evans, Robert Mapplethorpe and others. Loved the Japanese ode to Cindy Sherman
Edward Steichen–In High Fashion, the Conde’ Nast Years: Sumptuous dresses from the 1930′s (indisputably Oscar-ready for 2010) and a dazzling photo of Gary Cooper (Don Draper’s prototype, perhaps?)
Weird Beauty: Dare I say the most fun of all? A dandelion pouf of a dress, the turtleneck as architecture and a sodden Pepto Bismol pink eye.
Mark your calendars: (Richard) Avedon Fashion 1944–2000 begins on May 15(through 9/6/09.)
The Museum of Modern Art: 11 West 53 Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues–$20.00 per person; Free on Fridays 4:00-8:00 pm (Yet another reason to love Target!)
We joined the line at 3:30 and were admitted in by 3:45.
Major exhibition or not, a visit to the grand minimalism of MOMA is guaranteed to lift the spirit. Walk into any permanent collection room and encounter treasures; a crisp and precise Charles Sheeler or some wry and spooky Joseph Cornell boxes.
Marlene Dumas: Measuring Your Own Grave: Austere portraits with vivid eyes, a creepy, but oddly compelling baby. We caught the last day.
The New York Public Library: 5th Avenue and 42nd Street– Free!
Main Reading Room: Greet the lions, traverse those steps and behold the soaring splendor. Opened in 1911, the room is the length of 2 city blocks. The 52 foot tall ceilings are decorated with murals of clouds. Library patrons sit at huge oak tables, a grand literary tradition. On any given day, the library displays a small art, design or photography exhibit.
