Sunday, October 14, 2018

NYC -- Neue Galerie, Natl Hist Museum, City Landmarks -- UPDATED 10.20.18

Stuart often attends NY Comic Con. I was able to go with him to NYC. While I wasn't able to see the con, I did take advantage of some very nice fall weather to document some inspiring sites for artists and art fans.

NEUE GALERIE
https://www.neuegalerie.org/
Just blocks away from the met, this little gem of a gallery is worth seeking out. The building is a restored home, so the fantasy of being inside a turn of the century city residence is part of the experience. The Galerie is where the famous Klimt "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer" is on permanent display.
Photos are prohibited in the gallery (and pictures can't capture this painting's shifting tones and iridescence as you view it from different angles). To accommodate shutterbugs and selfies, the Galerie displays a large reproduction (pictured below) on the basement floor.
If you've seen the 2015 feature film "Woman in Gold" ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman_in_Gold_(film)...
you'll especially appreciate seeing this masterpiece in person.

Below are 3 links from some lectures/documentaries about the painting that have been posted on You Tube. These clips share biographical details omitted in the film, and also provide some historical context, as well as photos of some of the real-life people depicted in the film.

First is a 2015 galley talk at the Neue  ... About 30  mins with a good overview of the story
Lecture is by author Anne-Marie O'Conner, former LA Times reporter.Watch this lecture to learn a link between this painting and the author of "Bambi."
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13369549-the-lady-in-gold

This next link is for a more detailed, personal account of the story. Lecture by E. Randol Schoenberg, lawyer on the case, who is an engaging speaker with a unique perspective:
The final link below has additional interviews with principals in the case, and concludes with footage from the auction of the paintings:
At the time of my visit to the Neue, both of the Adele portraits were on display. That isn't always the case, as the Galerie only owns the iconic golden first portrait (photo below, from Google Images, shows details from Portrait II on left and Portrait I on right)
The Neue Galerie is also famous for its Vienna-themed cafes.
https://www.neuegalerie.org/cafes
Excellent food in a beautiful room. Worth the wait for the main dining room. There is a smaller room downstairs with the same menu and a shorter line, but no windows.
There is a line to enter the Galerie building where you'll need to pass the usual security check. Bottles of water are NOT allowed inside, so discard before entering. Access to the cafe, bookstore and restrooms is free. There is a fee to enter the Galerie and see the collection.

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
(UPDATED with more Links and photos)
If you're a fan of taxidermy vignettes, this museum is must see, especially since these exhibits have been recently renovated.

Here are some highlights from the main lobby

and the many galleries...
 a tableau of now extinct Passenger Pigeons..

 Charles Knight art...
displayed next to fossils depicted in painting..
More art renderings...

Modern scientific illustrations of Extinct giant squirrel...

 Just one display from the Hall of Biodiversity..
https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/biodiversity-and-environmental-halls/hall-of-biodiversity
 Blue Whale .. from the Hall of Ocean Life
https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/biodiversity-and-environmental-halls/milstein-hall-of-ocean-life
 
Six halls of Mammals -- epic examples of the art and science of Taxidermy...
https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/mammal-halls/bernard-family-hall-of-north-american-mammals

Space gear featured at the gift shop...
and a giant plush toy dino
celebrates famous "titanosaur" fossil on display...
CENTRAL PARK

Nature thrives in the big city...


Want to see Hamilton in NYC for Free? No ticket required to visit this statue of Hamilton in Central Park.





5TH AVENUE, 30 ROCK and other landmarks


Two pics below show photo shoot in progress outside Bulgari flagship store on 5th Ave...


30 Rock ... home of NBC staples Today Show and Saturday Night Live...



Today Show studio...
Tonight Show...
Even if you only have time to tour exteriors, there are so many design details to see....



Also nearby... Radio City Music Hall.. 
Building below is Carnegie Hall... 

LINCOLN CENTER DAY AND NIGHT

The NY Public Library Performing Arts branch is located at Lincoln Center. There was an amazing Jerome Robbins exhibit on display on the ground floor .. regret I didn't get any pics.

My photo below shows display of Al Hischfeld's drawing desk and chair. Located near library entrance.
Lincoln Center exterior at day time... 


And at night...




My take-away tips from this visit. Wear your most comfortable shoes. Be ready for rain. Taxis are much easier to take now that they all accept credit cards. Weather permitting, walking is the best way to see so much of the city.

I saw so many dogs! The breed I saw most often on this trip was Golden Retrievers. I enjoyed meeting this little city Sheltie. He's sporting the booties I saw many dogs, large and small, wearing.
On the subway...
Outside the Met...
Random cool building...
Adieu Big Apple...

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