22.09 the Cloisters

The Cloisters are part of the Met, a part specialized in medieval art and architecture. The museum building is a puzzle of religious elements from Europe put here together. So you can walk in a roman cloister from Spain and enter in a church from France. The panels explain which part is original, which was a modern reconstruction. It's amazing to hear, they found marble from the same 12th century quarry to make a perfect assemblage. And it's such a calm and peaceful place, you can hardly believe you're still in New York.

One of the complete hand made playing cards.

201.09 MoMa and Brooklyn part II

So yesterday I went to the MoMA at the free time (every friday, 4-8 pm). The line was getting along the whole block but we could get in without waiting because they simply let everybody come. The museum was really crowded – the prints section wasn't so bad, maybe it's mot that interesting for the most people. Design & architecture was just full. But we could see nice models and pictures. I really liked the utopia part with the work of Rem Koolhaas and co. They got inspiration in the cold war and the Berlin war, designing a world where everything is planed for people. Where for example the open space is called "agressivity park" or something like that.

 

Pottery by Eva Zeisel.

In the design section, near to the italian kitchen-box.

Exodus of the voluntary prisoners of architecture, Rem Koolhaas and Elia Zenghelis.

A Brooklyn wall.

20.09 Chelsea

A lemon cup cake from the Chelsea Market.

On the High Line, after the parisian "Coulée verte".

The high line is a park built the last years on a former train line. The trains could deliver products direct in the firms and fabrics. As it wasn't used anymore, residents from the borrow built this project. So you can yet walk above the streets and between the plants.

And yet I have to see the famous "Coulée verte" at home...

Claire Olivier Gallery, Beth Cavener Stichter.

In a gallery at the 508 West 26th street. I'm so sorry I don't remember the name!

18.09 Liberty!

Turning around the Liberty Island...

I won't explain a lot about the statue because I had myself the impression to do something again. I never was there before but I saw it so often...

I found the trip on boat really nice, the wind made me realize, I'd forgotten the sea is so close to the city. On the island of Liberty we received a audio guide, what disappointed me because it was just a few new informations. In the Museum of Ellis Island, I found it much better. You always have to hear such fictionalized commentaries as "Imagine you're a tired and hungry immigrant and you travel on this ship. What would you think?"

But it becomes always more interesting. I liked the small objects, in particular the mind tests created by the doctor Knox in the early 20th century. He had to find out if some travelers, who it was impossible to speak with because of the language, were "normally intelligent" or not. So he created puzzles and forms that we recognize today in kids games: a star, a circle, a square to fit in the right gap; flowers to assemble in pairs...

17.09 Soho and Co

Every morning I wake up and think I've forgotten to tell something great I did yesterday. For example the Mexican celebration of Gennario. But that's a pity not to have pictures. 

That makes me think it's an illusion to make a visiting blog when you're not a photographer because you only take a picture when you are aware of seeing something you must share. But when you are living a new experience that surprises you, do you always wait before and make your camera ready? I don't. So you won't see the most interesting thing I saw yesterday. That wasn't in the West Village nor in Soho, but in a big art supplies shop. I was curious what I could find new and actually I bought rubber plates to make stamples. But the lift was out of office so we had to take the stairs to visit the five stages. It was so dark, comfortable and so dirty, I couldn't believe it was the shop I saw on the publicity. Like I was on the other side of the show. That's something I could notice on different levels: the metro and some streets for example are sticky and dirty and don't fit with the beautiful image of the sophisticated city – I was surprised because people often say Paris is an uncomfortable city. Is that a necessary contrast?

A surprise on the road to the subway.  

The lego shop near to the Rockefeller. 

A nice bakery in Soho!

 

Trader Joe's is a supermarket chain in a funny illustration/comic style. 

16.09 Brooklyn part I

This morning began with singing birds on the balcony.
In the afternoon, they let place to much more loudy speakers. In the garden next to a pizzeria in Brooklyn, the Tiki Disco took place for the last time in summer. It had to think about Berlin and Leipzig because of the style of the party:  just a place between two small houses, cheap beer, techno music and all possible styles on the dance floor. I had the impression to see my classmates doubles all the time!
When a huge line was waiting on the street, we had to leave in order to celebrate Rosh Hashana, a jew celebration, with friends. I never saw something like that so I was very curious. Our guests made it shorter for us and explained what each food was for. There were dates, bread, apples, fish, and others things that are symbols for what the next year will hopefully bring.
Very short, so I should read more about this!

15.09 Bronx Zoo

Gabi had free places for the Bronx Zoo, so we had a wonderful afternoon walking between the trees and discovering the animals.After that, we spent the evening in some bars and ate burgers. I've noticed, french people here like searching good food, because there are plenty of really great restaurants! Then we staid at "L'Amant", the Lover, a nice place with colorful wallpaper and stucco.By going home, I passed the subway station, that's something I very like. Because I always discover something interesting – sometimes it is just that I also can manage stress. This time, I saw Times Square by night, under a lot of smoke from the barbecue stands at each corner. There were lighting motorbikes, spray painters, false Elwis Presley and a lot of tourists.

 

14.09 Times Square

Grand Central station and the market under it.

The Chrysler building.

Lego shop at the Rockfeller Center.

Times Square.

The first book I bought: A sick day for Amos McGee, by Philip and Erin Stead.

13.09.12 MET

Yesterday I arrived in NYC where I'll stay for three weeks, so I decided to take a few pictures and to write on this blog in a third linguage to improve my english. I'll try to post something every day. See you soon!

1 Virgin with Child, 1200, Limoges, medieval art2 Coney Island, 1914, Joseph Stella, contemporary art3 Shrine of the Virgin, 1300, Rhine Valley, medieval art
Take a look on the amazing website of the Metropolitan museum (http://www.metmuseum.org/), you can see all the collection pieces!