I recently spent a day in New York with my
brother-in-law, first on The High Line, then we took the train to
5 Pointz Institute of Higher Burnin', the graffiti mecca in Queens, then back on the train to the old World Fair site at Flushing Meadows Park. It was 104 F.
After 4 visits to The High Line I think of it as The High Design Line....it's wonderful, but it leaves me cold:
We walked across Manhattan to Grand Central Terminal to catch the 7 train. Coming from London, where railway termini showcase Victorian engineering, I'm out of sympathy with Grand Central where form follows function only if the function is shopping.
Not Grand Central:
I really enjoyed the train ride out of Manhattan and recommend the last carriage for the view back:
5 Pointz has an industrial feel thanks to the elevated train tracks. but could be grungier still for my taste. As I was shooting the graffiti I thought I was wasting my time just reproducing what was there, but I'm happier now that I've edited a few shots:
By contrast I was excited by the Unisphere at the 1964 World Fair site....dark clouds, strong sunlight, big, strange object....but failed to get anything special:
Close by the Unisphere is a kitsch sculpture - Rocket Thrower. The New York Times art critic described it as "the most lamentable monster, making Walt Disney look like Leonardo Da Vinci." Highly recommended:
Slideshow here:
http://thelightcavalry.zenfolio.com/queens/slideshowOther suggestions for industrial/grungy/oddball sites in NYC?
