Growing up in Sunset Park, especially when I was young, I spent lots of time playing in different areas of the park. I would do water-gun fights at the sprinklers, tag at the playground, and would love riding my scooter all around the park. In recent years, the city has replaced much of the park’s recreational areas with newer, but blander spaces. The playground used to be vibrant and colorful reds, yellows, and blues, but now is a bit of a boring brown, maroon, and beige. The sprinklers also changed completely. It used to be a bright blue arena with a sprinkler in the middle, that shot out lots of water, but now, it’s a rocky area with little sprinkles here and there, and some trees and benches placed around.
Although full of greenery, the space was void of people (most likely due to the cold weather). I can only imagine how the space would look during the summer, but I imagine it would not garner too much people due to how remote the signs are (a total of 2 signs). The first sign we found was hidden in an almost random pillar facing walls rather than any incoming pedestrian, which foreseeably limits the foot traffic. There was a visible, almost threatening barrier around this space, namely building that seems to host residents. These building allude to the space being private which may chase off any potential enjoyer. There is also a lack of visible drinking water source (did not see one in my time there) and bathroom (or indicator of where to find one). The pros of this space is the vibrant plants in the middle of the property with birds fluttering occasionally, almost dancing with the plants. I can imagine how peaceful a potential lunch time could be here (when the weather warms up). There were plenty of benches but some tables would have been appreciated as well. Overall, a 2.5 out of 5 (was 3/5 until I started to write this review).
Though this public space does have a large sign it is kind of hidden away. As you walk past Lincoln Plaza Cinemas there are four pillars and the sign is on the fourth pillar. If someone did not walk in further enough they could easily miss the sign. From the outside I also didn’t think this was a space I could enter in because it felt very tucked away in the back.
Going further inside to the space, there are a couple benches and two trash cans. There wasn’t anyone around besides a family that was passing through with their children to go into a building nearby. I feel that this space would be more useful in the summer since it is so cold out nobody really wants to sit outside.
As for the nature setting at this public space the front bushes were at a good height to indicate as a gate to not enter inside the grass but also low enough so that you can see the trees and larger bushes up top inside the garden. I would say this space is not bad but I am more of an indoor person so I prefer the Atrium public space more than this one.
During our walk we also talked about hostile architecture which contradicts to the phrase “public space.” Though this area is public it is clear that there is an unnecessary bar at the center of the benches to maybe prevent homeless people from sleeping on it.
Has a big sign that says it’s a open public space and specifies what is inside (like how many tables, chairs, etc.)
It’s very nice and quiet, not much people here
They have a nice plant wall (with real plants) and cool water fountain.
They have a video screen that displays videos
They have an elevator and a restroom
There is security and cameras here, so I do feel safe
There are water fountains
It’s inside and you can take shelter if there is bad weather outside
I was able to use the bathroom (even though you’re supposed to use a key to enter)
The bathroom toilet had a way to save water based on the way you flushed (environmental friendly). They also have an emergency handle you can pull just in case anything happens while you’re in the bathroom.
I definitely can see myself hanging out here, eating lunch, or studying.
First impression was the space was that it is well designed with high ceilings and plenty of moving space. The starking contrast of the green wall against the relatively muted palette allows the wall to provide its due job of engaging the viewer. The space is wide with plenty of facilities, including but not limited to, a cafe (only open on Tuesdays and Saturdays), moveable tables and chairs, green wall, water decor, water fountain (on a more cramped second floor), restroom (on the second floor but is accessible), video screening, etc. I observed a game of chess being played, proving the comfortability of this POPS. On another side was a couple having a presumable date. There were signs everywhere that declared the space was public, I personally counted more than 4. I liked how the signs made it clear what was inside the facility, including a free show once a week (which we did not have the opportunity to see). My critiques are as follows, the entrance accessible door is partly broken which defeats the purpose of the accessibility button, the space leading into the bathroom is very cramped (but it seems to be gender neutral which is nice), and finally, the cafe is opened at very limited times (this is biased cause I was hungry).
Review and pictures by Selina Zheng (Macaulay Hunter College ’27)
Dalia recorded a group of Macaulay students playing certain instruments in the cabaret room. She thought the sound was unique compared to anything else.
It was the first and last sound that I heard in the Macaulay Building.
We recorded our audio clips in Central Park, but we managed to capture different aspects of it.
As we were walking through the park, we noticed the difference between the atmospheres of Manhattan and the Bronx. Dasani managed to capture the sound of birds chirping in a bush, leading me to ask about whether she had heard similar sounds in her neighborhood. In part of her response she said,
The Bronx seems to be quite dead. I wish that there were more nature-centered places, and I kind of wish we had some like Manhattan.
This statement captured my attention as I also noticed the differences between the nature sounds in Manhattan and in the Bronx. At Lehman I manage to see glimpses of nature like a seagull or a falcon, but I rarely see them around where I live.
On our way to the park, however, we stumbled upon a deeper issue. I had mentioned that I overheard a conversation between locals who were discussing which country they should go to for vacation. We had found this exchange amusing because, as residents of less wealthy neighborhoods, we rarely talk about going on vacation, much less a vacation to a different country. Dasani summarized our thoughts in the following statement:
I feel like there’s a lot of wealthy people here. By their mannerisms you can tell there’s a class divide.
Hearing Dasani’s thoughts about her feelings of alienation were really insightful, and it is interesting that a walk in a park led to this discussion.
The audio makes Amna feel the vastness of the city. She says it makes her think of the people of New York. For her, she likes that the people of New York mind their business, but she notes that once you get into a conversation with one– good luck!
Even though the people may have their ups and downs, Amna really loves the visual aspect of New York, something an audio doesn’t capture. She’s a big fan of the buildings here and thinks the architecture is really gorgeous. She mentions that the cultural diversity really adds to the sounds of New York.
Though the architecture enchants her, she doesn’t always come to the city because the public transportation is a real hassle. She dislikes how crowded it gets, and the sheer volume of people that are always in the subway, specifically.
Overall, Amna would still recommend people come to New York because it is a good experience, and you get to meet a lot of people different from you.
This is a recording in Central Park of horses walking and I asked questions to Iman to see what he thought of it.
Question 1: What does this sound make you think of?
Iman: It reminded me of the ancient times as the tempo of the horse’s footsteps brought back old vibes and a nostalgic feeling. It showed how advanced technology is and how it has improved over the decades.
Question 2: What role does it play in New York?
Iman: The role that it plays in New York is an example of evolution as it was an example of the past and the present. The audio showed me the change from the horses to horse power like cars and reminded me on how busy and hectic New York is.
Question 3: How do you relate to the sound?
Iman: I am constantly on the go like a horse as I am always working towards a goal whether that be in academically or basketball related. In basketball, the ball is high as the horses can be. Horses relates to my school, personal, and basketball life.
I recorded this in Central Park. I focused on the nature aspect and the birds stood out to me.
When I was talking to my partner Audrey about her POV of NYC, One thing that I liked was when she said
“I only come here when I need to go to the Macaulay building , I also do a lot of people watching “
This was my favorite quote because I related to it. Especially the people watching part because I tend to compare myself to the rich people I see around this area. I am sometimes at awe of how we have different lives, and they have certain financial privileges that I can’t imagine myself having.
I went into the 66th Street-Lincoln Center subway station and created a 20 second recording of 1 train entering the station. I, Lina, asked Emma, a fellow Macaulay student, what these sounds meant to her.
My question: “Do these sounds remind you of your own experiences growing up in NYC?”
Emma: My earliest memories are of me taking the subway. Listening to the audio reminds me of when I was very young, still in a stroller, and my mom was trying to get us through the door in the station into the train. I’m reminded of the snacks she would give me, which were usually cranberries. This recording brought me to the sour taste of the fruits she would give me on the train. I think taking the train is an experience shared by many New Yorkers, so I would say it’s an integral part of my identity as someone who grew up and lives in NYC.
My question: “Which sounds are familiar or unfamiliar to you?”
Emma: The sound that struck me the most was the screeching of the train wheels on the tracks. It is the most jarring sound, but it is very characteristic of the experience of taking the train. Just as New Yorkers have an identity, the trains themselves also have an identity. Each train line is unique, and furthermore, each train itself has its own charm. Hearing these screeches of the train on the tracks makes me think of my previous thoughts about locomotives. There are bullet trains that are quick and silent, but the trains of the MTA are loud and eccentric, just as New Yorkers are. They are full of life. Some have orange seats, while others bear blue ones. The 6 line has its iconic diamond and circle.
My question: “What kinds of feelings do these sounds evoke?”
Emma: Firstly, nostalgia. As I said before, I have so many memories of taking the train throughout my entire life. But besides thinking about the past, I also think of the future of the MTA. The subway system in NYC has so much history, and some would say since it is so old some of its technology is outdated. How will these rapid changes be adapted to? I also think about how vast the system is. Each train line can take you to very different places across the city. There’s a unique journey starting every time you step on a train in New York City.
I placed my recording device on the window ledge of Classroom 2 facing 67th street. My phone picked up a few cars, a helicopter, and the sounds of construction.
The noise here is a 2/10. In the Bronx it’s an 8/10.
-Ismael
I personally find solace in sitting quietly, especially after a particularly busy day which is why I chose to record this sound.
I asked Ismael about his relationship to silence, or a lack thereof. In our interview, he described the difference in noise awareness during the day and at night. While during the day when one is occupied with other things, noise is not very noticeable, at night, the noise outside the room is very present- dogs barking, the bodega music playing, people arguing, etc.
When asked about whether he prefers the noise or the silence, he said he prefers the NYC noise because he is used to it. He does remember, however, his time in Mali when he had “the best sleep of his life.”
“The noise in Mali is mostly nature, not people like here.”
With only a 20 second audio recording in the streets of New York, I was able to get very interesting answers of Danielle Ashurov’s perspective of the heart of New York.
The audio recording had sounds of cars, laughing, honking, and nature. I was curious to find out what these sounds could elicit through the interview.
Q: Can you name 3 prominent noises and why these stood out?
Danielle’s answer was similar to my own, hearing loud laughing, light conversation, and the cars driving on the street. However, she had picked up the word “nostalgia” being said in background conversation where I hadn’t. It was interesting to see what different sounds we gravitated towards and identified
Q: Try and identify the place where you think these recordings happened. Why do you think this?
Danielle and I were in the same area, so this question was one she already knew, but she identified it specifically as Manhattan because of the noises and
Q: Think of 5 words to describe this audio clip. Why did you choose these words?
” Chaotic, Harmonious, Comfortable, Synonymous, Life” were the words Danielle used, and I was specifically interested in her choice of the word ‘life”.
“I’ve grown accustomed to those noises,” Danielle said, and hearing the sounds of cars and joyous laughter have become akin to life for her.
New York City is a place of laughter, loud noises, and life for so many. This interview exercise was a great way to understand my classmates better and discover more of NYC.
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