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.

https://www.amnh.org/

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...

https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/fossil-halls/miriam-and-ira-d.-wallach-orientation-center/the-titanosaur

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.

https://www.nypl.org/blog/2018/09/04/jerome-robbins-100-exhibit-curator

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...

Long Beach Comic Con 9.18 -- PICS ADDED 9/27

Here are a few photos from the Exhibitor Hall at Long Beach Comic Con 2018.

Props to these exhibitors below for engaging attendees and bringing them to their table with an invitation to make a chess move! Read more about "Coronary" by comics writer Ryan Burke here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1455587713/coronary-episodes-1-3
Also on Instagram at @ryanburkewriter

Artists Alley

Artists reported good sales and foot traffic at this con.

Later in my time at the con, I snapped this glimpse of indie author-publisher Russell Nohelty (in green shirt with eyes) at his busy table.
His most recent Kickstarter --  is for an anthology "Cthulhu is Hard to Spell" -- is nearing 1,000 pledges as of 9.27.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/russellnohelty/cthulhu-is-hard-to-spell-a-comic-anthology-about-l

Early in the day, I visited with artist Jeff Victor  who had prints from his recent book "Pop Culture Evolutions" -- successfully funded via his Kickstarter campaign.
 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1766980455/the-ultimate-pop-culture-evolution

Another early day stop: Indie artist Susan Lee's table. She featured her original water colors as well as prints. http://www.lifeonitsside.com/
Susan is also the creator of the popular "Women from the Dark Side" panel at this and other conventions. http://www.lifeonitsside.com/women-on-the-dark-side
https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/07/07/women-comics-panels-san-diego-comic-con/

Only a few photos for this post, as I only had time for  had a quick walk around at this con. And wouldn't it figure --- with a time crunch I ended up with a take-away tip from this con: Always have a back-up plan for meeting up with your ride!

Cell reception inside the hall was spotty at best, and when I was supposed to connect with Stuart via text, suddenly neither one of us could get reception. Without a back-up plan, I was reduced to wandering around looking for him. Trust me, the exhibit hall is a reasonable size, but it feels huge when you are looking for someone you can't find. From now on, I'll always have a back-up plan to meet at a designated spot in case of high tech communication failure. 

Disneyland collection FREE exhibition prior to auction - UPDATE 8.28.18

UPDATE 8.19.18
Links with articles from
New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/18/style/disney-auction.html
Los Angeles Times:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-ca-cm-disney-auction-20180816-story.html

Playlist of Gallery produced videos on You Tube
These are the same videos on display throughout the exhibit
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj3ji6Pm6bIKwa8_8JyasCCsMl7ckzCI9

Wait times of over 90 mins reported by those who tried to see the exhibition 8.18. Go on a weekday if you can. Be prepared with your own shade if you can't.

VLOG tour of the exhibit (posted on You Tube by ResortTV1)

UPDATE 8.28.18 -- REALIZED PRICES!!!

PDF with realized prices list from Van Eaton Gallery website:
https://vegalleries.com/sites/default/files/art/product_images/auctions/2018.08Kraft/2018.08_ThatsFromDisneyland_PricesRealized.pdf

Links for articles with realized prices/sales highlights:
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/thats-from-disneyland-auction-brings-in-big-bucks

https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/destinations/california/2018/08/27/disneyland-auction-results/1076252002/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-auction-disneyland/dumbo-flies-off-for-483000-in-8-3-million-disneyland-auction-idUSKCN1LC1Y4

Video link of auction live stream via this Van Eaton Gallery website page:
https://vegalleries.com/thatsfromdisneyland

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Longtime Disneyland collector Richard Kraft is sharing his treasures with the public, prior to an auction of all the items at the end of this month. The exhibit is called "That's From Disneyland" and is presented by Van Eaton Galleries.

Richard Kraft photo below by John McCoy/ Los Angeles Daily News.

The exhibit is FREE. Open Weds - Sun from noon - 8PM.

See it while you can! The items will be auctioned August 25th and 26th.

This article from the Los Angeles Daily News shares some background on Kraft, his collection, and a slide show of 20 photos from the exhibit.
https://www.dailynews.com/2018/08/01/disneyland-in-sherman-oaks-a-valley-man-brings-his-massive-pop-up-gallery-to-town/

That’s From Disneyland

• What: Free pop-up exhibit of one of the world’s largest private Disneyland memorabilia collections
• When: Noon-8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 1-26
• Where: The former Sports Authority store at 13730 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks.
• Information: https://www.thatsfromdisneyland.com/

Here are some photos from the link (pictures by John McCoy)

Exterior of the building where the exhibit is held

Some vehicles from Tomorrowland...

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, article from August '18 Vanity Fair

August 2018 issue of Vanity Fair shares a detailed article by Paul Goldberger, "George Lucas Strikes Back: Inside the Fight to Build the Lucas Museum."

Artist rendering of the proposed museum (image via MAD architects)

Here's a link for the article: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/07/george-lucas-museum-los-angeles

The article link includes a slide show of 20 works from the Lucas collection.

Works in the slide show include Norman Rockwell's "Saying Grace"... which was reported by CNN to have sold at auction in 2013 for a record $43 million dollars. https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/04/us/rockwell-saying-grace-auction/index.html

Also Wyeth's The Storybook:

http://bkrulikfineart.com/portfolio-items/newell-convers-wyeth-the-storybook-1921/

And the Leyendecker "Republicans vs Democrats"

Lucas is pictured below in the Skywalker Ranch library, with his wife Mellody Hobson. Photo by Stefan Ruiz.

Translated vs. original European comics -- Comment re SDCC

UPDATE 7.31.18

Yes, Stuart Ng Books exhibited at San Diego Comic Con 2018. However, I did not attend the con this year. You can find SDCC posts here on the blog for previous years.
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Ever wondered about those English translations of European comics... and the difference between the English versions and the originals???

In sample photo below... European original is on the left, English translation on the right.

Text below is from 7.2.18 post on Stuart Ng Books Facebook page:

"French comics are traditionally published in hardcover, in one of two sizes; the smaller format is 8.75 x 11.75 inches, the larger format is 9.5 x 12.75 inches. The smaller format is used for children’s comics and many of the older series (Asterix, Lucky Luke). The larger format is used for most new series (Blacksad, Sky Doll, Yaxin).
When the books are picked up by British or American publishers, they are usually reduced in size and in paperback.
If you ever wonder why French comics usually have four tiers of panels compared to the American standard of 3 tiers, it’s because the French artists expect their pages to be reproduced around 12-12.5 inches tall whereas American artists expect their pages to be reduced to fit a 10 inch tall comic.
So if you are a fan of the art and you want to be able to see all the detail and draftsmanship your favorite French artist puts into his comic, you may want to buy the French edition—the format he or she was designing for—whether you can read it or not.
Right now we are having a sale on over 200 imported French comics (Bande Dessinee). Reduced to $10 or less, this is a good time to explore the best comics France has to offer."
https://stuartngbooks.com/sale-books/bande-dessinee.html