Category: Community Arts (Page 1 of 2)

Holiday Windows in Manhattan

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Practically every child in this world looks forward to Christmas time, and why wouldn’t they? The winter season is the most magical and miraculous time of the year, from giving and receiving presents on the holidays to playing with friends in the snow. Even as an adult, just the prospect of Christmas gives me excited flutters and happy thoughts. Anything related to winter and the holidays brings me immense joy, and we’re nearing that time of the year, so it only made sense to choose the holiday windows in Manhattan as my topic. I worked together with Jasmine and Jenny, and together we explored and researched this year’s window displays for Macy’s, Lord and Taylor, and Sak’s Fifth Avenue.

New York City is a shopping heaven, with Manhattan’s Herald Square and Fifth Avenue being the two most popular centers. As a child I visited Herald Square once in awhile to shop with my family, but I’ve started frequenting this bustling part of the city more so the past five years to shop and to eat with my family as well as my friends. I visited Rockefeller Center when I was but a toddler, so my memories of that area of the famous borough are very fuzzy. I actually only learned that Fifth Avenue is a shopping heaven two years ago, so I am considered an outsider to some degree.

For this project, Jasmine, Jenny, and I were each responsible for one store, and I chose my favorite of the three: Macy’s. As a New Yorker, Macy’s is a must-go-to store during the holidays. From the July 4^th fireworks to the Thanksgiving Day Parade to the Christmas window display, Macy’s is one of New York City’s cultural icons. That being said, I was very excited when I stepped out of the train station and headed towards the iconic department store. As I expected, this particular area of Herald Square- 34^th Street between Fifth and Seventh Avenues- was bustling with New Yorkers and tourists anxious to catch a glimpse of the magnificent window display.

This year’s show is a six-window display titled “Santa’s Journey Through the Stars.” The entire production was designed and overseen by Roya Sullivan, the National Director of Window Presentation for Macy’s, Inc. She has previously worked alongside previous directors at Macy’s, as well as at stores such as Bloomingdale’s and Polo Ralph Lauren, but after returning to Macy’s, this is her first season running the show. She got inspiration from children’s books to create this year’s theme: Christmas in outer space. The display tells the tale of Alex, a young boy in bed on Christmas Eve too excited to sleep, and his journey through the stars with his pet dog Bella, Santa and his space reindeers. They start out on Earth and each successive window presents the Earthlings stopping at each of the planets. Anyone can tell that special attention to details and careful planning went into this production, and the final outcome is impressive: colored lights, grand sculptures made from 85% foam, and video monitor with Alex narrating his adventures. My favorite window was the one of Earth because the replicas of New York City’s landmarks gave me a surge of pride for the city. However, I was also impressed by the sculptors’ efforts in making the planets seem as realistic as possible- craters on the planets’ surfaces and tiny rocks to replicate Saturn’s rings. Overall, the windows are too colorful and impressive to miss- even for busy, preoccupied New Yorkers rushing to and from work, and the towering sculptures are enough to make anyone ooh and ah.

After entering college, I found myself maturing, as well as becoming indifferent towards things that used to excite me. I was scared that I had lost my touch of childishness and childlike innocence. However, after visiting Macy’s for this project, I realized that even if my environment and mentality changed, a part of my heart would always stay the same. As cliché as that sounds, it is true- I am grateful and relieved that I haven’t lost this part of my childhood. Adults are all children at heart, and the winter season is magical because it allows the hidden children to surface for adults to experience innocent happiness.

Report

            Subway Art is one of the greatest forms of art that the city of New York has to offer. As one of the major art centers of the world, New York City is bound to attract some of the best artists in the world. It is also bound to attract some of the most talented artists who don’t display their art in a museum or gallery. Some artists want to show their work to people who don’t have a great interest in art and, where better to do that then in the subway. Also, while subway murals attract great artists, they can also attract talented amateurs, who have only a hobby in art and want to share it with the world. As an outsider to this new community, I believe that outsiders have a greater appreciation for this art than natives to the community. For example, natives to New York City, who take the subway everyday, might take for granted the art they walk by everyday as a mundane event that can be seen everywhere and at any time, while a tourist or an outsider who has not seen many of these “mundane” art pieces might find them extraordinary. As an outsider, not to the degree of a tourist from another state or country, I tried to view each new artwork as someone who has never seen art on the subway or even been on the subway. Although, I do plan to live in NYC in the future, I would still consider myself an outsider since I am not part of the community there. To do this project, my partner and I went online and found guides to all the subway murals we could find. Then, we tried to narrow down the lists to the ones we were really interested in and focus on those. After that, we actually visited all the ones we listed and discovered many things. Although we tried to determine what the creator’s intention was and why he/she put the piece in that specific location; we also noted different people’s reaction to the different art works. For example, when we saw natives of New York City, they ignored the artwork and were more worried about the subway itself. While the tourists, who obviously have never been in NYC before, were amazed by the murals. For example, we spotted a whole group of tourists just standing around a mural, photographing it and enjoying it. After that, we took a look at the murals themselves and how each one represented specific landmarks of that community. For example, communities near central park depicted more natural settings, while communities near the water incorporated that water element into their murals. Also, we noted that the most diverse and abstract art were near crowded centers. One example of this is 86^th street, which was extremely crowded, housed the abstract mural “Happy City” by Peter Sis. Also Grand Central Station, which is almost like the heart of the subway system, housed “Arches, Towers and, Pyramid” by Jackie Ferrara. Although we noted this strange occurrence, we could not tell why this happened. After we examined the murals, we wrote down our first impressions of each mural without discussing it. Later we discussed what we wrote and what we thought of each piece. Some of the limitations we faced during this project are the amount of murals we saw in each community was not as much as we would have hoped. Another limitation we faced was that we didn’t have a lot of time to discuss how we each felt about every single piece.

Graffiti in NYC

When I take the subway and see a piece of graffiti that is eye-catching in an absurd, hard to reach place, the first thing I wonder is how the person got that piece of graffiti in that place. It was very entertaining to imagine scenarios the artist took to spray-paint the work for example on rooftops or deep inside subway tunnels. Graffiti has a bad reputation. Many consider it as vandalism and I can’t help but think whether all graffiti is crime. Is it really not a form of art? Is there even such thing as legal graffiti? I decided to choose this topic for the project so I could find answers to my questions. I had never once imagined myself doing even legal graffiti. In my mind, even the thought of doing such art is unlawful. After doing research, I think it would be interesting for me to at least try that style of art. The aerosol products look extremely fun to use and I have gained a new respect for the art (done legally).

This project definitely took a lot of research. First, I looked up the history of graffiti. Who was the first person to create this style of art? After finding out that the concept of graffiti developed from the mischief of one person to gain fame, it was a bit disappointing. The idea of leaving a “marker” wherever you go is a bit interesting though. I would leave behind something like a lollipop or perhaps flowers. My partner and I originally had plans to go to 5 Pointz but after researching, we found that unfortunately the place was whitewashed and torn down. It was very devastating to find that such a beautiful place that was meant to signify unity of the boroughs was torn down for high rises. We decided to go to Bushwick, which was considered the new haven for Graffiti art and were not disappointed.

From researching, I was able to see how graffiti evolved over time. Different styles blossomed, rich colors were used and graffiti in this form really began to look like a masterful art piece any artist would do. The fact that the canvas is the city itself is a unique aspect of graffiti. Because it is done on public walls, more people have access to this art on a daily basis. Similar to subway art, I think graffiti art really promotes creative thinking and can brighten someone’s world.

A big limitation was time. The idea of covering all of NYC’s graffiti was a little absurd. Where should we start? What areas should we go visit? Because Graffiti can also be associated with gang activities (as a way of marking territories), we did not want to go to areas that might have been dangerous. Graffiti meccas like 5 Pointz are also going extinct. Not everyone appreciates graffiti as art; even the most beautiful piece of Graffiti writing on public property without consent is labeled as vandalism. If I were to do this project over again, I would like to explore more Graffiti meccas or perhaps try art (not necessarily Graffiti) with aerosol.

Graffiti began in Philadelphia in the mid to late 1960s. Writers needed new ways to gain fame because this industry was becoming competitive. Therefore, tags became more unique, many different styles developed and spread throughout the street walls as well as the subways. But because more and more artists joined in, they began to use aerosol or spray paint to add volume and color to their tags. This caused a “war”, declared by the MTA. Heavily vandalized train cars were removed from service and headed to the scrap yard. Security was maximized so subway graffiti slowly died out. In 1989, the era, although not completely dead, ended as the last train with significant amount of graffiti was taken off the lines.

Unfortunately, graffiti is regarded by many as a form of vandalism while to others, as a form of art. It has been associated with gang-activities because it is used as a way for gangs to mark their “territories”. Therefore, there is still a controversy on whether Graffiti is actually considered a form of art. Many residents from various neighborhoods complained and asked for the graffiti to be cleaned up. Through this project, I wanted to decide for myself whether graffiti is a form of art.

Originally, I wanted to visit the 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center, an American outdoor art exhibit space in Long Island City. It is considered to be the world’s premiere “graffiti mecca”, where aerosol artists from around the world painted colorful pieces on the walls of a factory building. The name 5Pointz signifies the five boroughs coming together as one but, because of its reputation as an epicenter of the graffiti scene, it united aerosol artists from across the world. Despite the efforts of the artists and the community, the art center was in the process of being torn down as of August 2014.

Because of this dreadful news, I decided to visit Bushwick, a new haven for graffiti artists. Bushwick, has long been a low-income enclave for Brooklyn’s Latino population. Not so long, it was a neglected, desolate remnant of a once thriving Brooklyn Neighborhood. But street artists had long gravitated here, drawn by the ample industrial wall space, a natural canvas for the outdoor artists’ work. Then, other aspiring artists started moving into Bushwick, where they could acquire cheap lofts in the abandoned factories and warehouses that still dominate the neighborhood.

I visited Bushwick in 2012 for an art project but I wasn’t too attracted by the graffiti there. It’s probably because I was bias against it. I hated the bubbly words spray-painted in shady neighborhoods along the 7-train line. I do admit that I stereotyped the artists to be dressed up like gangster, wearing their pants hanging halfway down their butt. However, when I heard over the summer that they created the New Edition of the Bushwick collection, replacing many of the old works with new, I wanted to visit it again to see if my thoughts on graffiti will change.

There were a variety of artwork and many bright colors accented the streets. The neighborhood was gritty yet vibrant. By a grocery store, the old brick walls were painted with a lively scene of a boy tending a garden of talking mushrooms, peas and carrots. Random cherries, strawberries, grapes, lemons and limes also adorn the wall. And are those tiny flying pigs? I can’t imagine what the store would have been like without the art. It definitely seemed like it attract more costumers to come.

One of the graffiti that stood out to me the most was “Sourish Arash & Ali”. During the visit to Bushwick I didn’t know who the three men painted on the walls were. Later when I got home, I found out that they were Iranian musicians, Ali as their manager, who came to the United States for musical freedom. In Iran, it is against the cultural law to become a rock star and can’t grow there as a band. So Soroush and Arash Farazmand pursued their passion as an indie rock band called the Yellow Dogs. Instead of achieving fame for their songs, they gained notoriety for their deaths. The brothers were among three men shot and killed in their Brooklyn apartment by a fellow musician who police say was upset over being kicked out of another Iranian band. After learning the story behind the graffiti, I was more impressed by it. I’m not certain the exact intention of the artist but I believe it wasn’t just in commemoration of their deaths. It symbolized freedom and dream. Although short, the two musicians were able to live their dream.

Before this Community Arts Project, I thought very lightly of graffiti arts. I treated them as random doodles on the streets. However I realized that there were so much more to it then that. They actually changed the atmosphere of the neighborhood of Bushwick. I wish I got to see an artist actually working on graffiti with my own eyes. There are some BushwickCollection gatherings during the summer so I might stop by next summer. I don’t know about other neighborhoods, but Bushwick should not be torn down.

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Elijah Blumov

Community Arts Questions

1. I chose to report upon the Eastern Orthodox architecture in Astoria for a variety of reasons—Firstly, I am and always have been entranced by the entire historical swath of Greek culture, and indeed I am heartily considering pursuing a Classics major. I am likewise interested in the history of Byzantium and Anatolia, where this architectural style emerged in the medieval period. The sheer volume of cultural clashes, blends and diffusions between East and West which occurred on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait would remain unprecedented until the 20th century, and the cultural and religious practices which arose in the wake of this motley history are entrancing subjects for me. Of particular note is the religious music of the Byzantine Orthodoxy—in my opinion, it is some of the most highly spiritual and beautiful music of all time, and perhaps my favorite style of choral music. It was with these interests in mind, as well as prior visits to the Astoria neighborhood having been lovely, which spurred my decision to zero in on it for this project. I am not ethnically Greek whatsoever (though my middle name is Perseus) but I have long identified with Grecian ancient deities, customs, and ideologies, and pursued knowledge of them and their histories. By this token, though I am an outsider, I believe I am well-versed enough to explore this milieu with a familiar eye.
2. In preparation for my presentation, I did some online research on the history of Byzantine architecture and of the Astoria neighborhood in order to construct a Power Point. While doing this, I of course listened to some Greek Orthodox liturgy, which I shall no doubt share with the class. I abstained from visiting the neighborhood itself for two reasons—Firstly, it’s incredibly inconvenient to get to from where I live, and more importantly, I have actually already explored a couple of the Greek churches on a pair of previous ventures– Once when I was getting headshots from a photographer in Astoria (some of the photos taken were actually on the premises of the St. Catherine’s Church), and once when I went on a date with a Greek girl, who showed me around a smaller venue. These excursions were relatively recently, so I decided it was sufficient to rely on this knowledge. Indeed, these initial experiences were what directly inspired me to pursue this topic, so taken was I with the beauty I beheld.
3. Frankly, I didn’t reach any kind of academic catharsis doing this project—I chose the subject I did because I’m interested in it, and since I’m interested in it, I already had prior knowledge of it. However, there were certainly historical tidbits in my research which I found intriguing, and it’s candy for the eyes to look at so many gorgeous holy places, from medieval Turkey to present day Astoria. I was aware of the signature nature of the Greek presence in Astoria, but was unaware of the historical migration in question, so this subject was refreshing to research.

4.    I believe the most obvious and pressing limitations I had for this project were dually my lack of architectural knowledge and my inability to speak Greek. If the latter were reversed, it would have facilitated my ability to do an in-depth study of the Orthodox liturgy as well as to interview the Greek elders and newly arrived immigrants. If the former were rectified, I might be able to be more comprehensive, articulate, and learned in my explanation of architectural characteristics and diffusions. Doing this project enthuses my spirit to return to Astoria and explore the churches further (as well as enjoy some incredible Greek food) and more critically, to visit Greece and Istanbul so that I might sojourn to the original Byzantine sites and immerse myself in an intricately rich culture. In the latter especially, the spirits of the Greeks, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Varangians, Arabs and Turks all lie in wait of discovery, shimmering grandly within its hallowed walls.

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It is a fact that everybody loves Christmas – even Scrooge and the Grinch have converted. The holiday spirit is contagious, and there is something special about having Christmas music playing in the mall alongside luminous lights, decorations, and jolly people that is felt only once a year. One of my favorite shopping destinations is Midtown around the 34^th Street area. When I have a reason to shop and look at Christmas decorations, I never deny the opportunity!

Fifth Avenue is internationally acknowledged as one of the prime shopping districts in New York. After all, it did land a spot in the list of “2012 Great Places in America.” In addition to the shopping, the street is home to well-known museums, parks, luxury apartments, and historical landmarks (some located nearby in Midtown). It is also ranked as one of the most expensive streets to own property on, coming at a whopping price of $1,850 per square foot of space. While I walked along Fifth Avenue from the 49^th Street train station, I noticed the New York Public Library and its striking resemblance to the government buildings in City Hall with their granite and limestone exteriors and Greek columns. I also passed by Rockefeller Center, where the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony was held about a week ago! I felt privileged to be able to live in a city a lot of time, money, and effort is put in to raise our already high quality of life. At the same time, I also felt selfish to be able to enjoy luxuries like shopping and celebrating Christmas when there are so many other people that are less fortunate.

Although I love Christmas and shopping, another reason I chose this community is because it perfectly reflects the American consumerist culture. Tourists and locals alike visit Midtown because it has the largest collection of luxury boutiques at “cheaper” prices than elsewhere in the world. These include international brands and flagship stores such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Chanel – you know, brands that middle class folk like me cannot afford on a daily basis (or at all).

Despite the overpriced goods, Fifth Avenue also represents America’s place in the world as a world power, both economically and politically. Notice that the brands come from all around the world, proving the major role that globalization continues to play in the American economy. Even though not everyone can afford the luxury brands, Fifth Avenue does offer free recreational activities for friends and family from all ranks of social status, like the Christmas windows. Call Fifth Avenue exclusive or inclusive, but I’m just glad that it helps keep the American economy and the holiday spirit alive.

Jenny and I took a subway ride to Midtown after school to see the windows at Lord&Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy’s. We wanted to go with Jennifer also, but she was at work filling in for a coworker who was on sick leave. Anyway, Jenny and I departed in the afternoon forgetting that windows tend to have a glare when the sun is out. We took videos and pictures at Lord&Taylor first, then at Saks Fifth Avenue, and Jennifer went to Macy’s a few days later. I took my camera with me to record videos while Jenny took pictures on her cell phone; however, we decided not to include the videos because the window glare made the displays unclear. For some of the pictures that were unclear, we substituted it with pictures from online. Also, it was really hard to avoid the crowd and filter out the noise and traffic along Fifth Avenue. Despite that, we still really enjoyed the windows because the glare and noise is not as prevalent or noticeable in person.

The Lord&Taylor windows were my favorite because I had seen them a few weeks ago with my family, and the feeling they gave me was warm and cozy but also magical and festive. It included interior views of holiday mansions inhabited by all kinds of animals – mice, birds, dogs, and cats. They celebrated in communities, which captured the sense of gathering and reuniting with family and friends during Christmas. The magical element came through from the windows through the movements of the props and figures. These windows were the most animated because it incorporated video wall technology and mechanical movements of the animals. Although there wasn’t really a storyline (like the Macy’s one), I really enjoyed it because it captured my emotions during the holiday season and represented – in a very cute way – how many people spend the holidays. I also learned that these windows are powered by hydraulics (a pressurized water system), which really excited me because I love anything that involves environmental awareness and sustainability.

The second set of windows we visited was at Saks Fifth Avenue, which included very lavish and elaborate displays centered on a fairytale theme. It was called “An Enchanted Experience” and featured Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Riding Hood, and Sleeping Beauty. I loved Disney fairytales as a little kid and still do. The hilarious and clever twist that Saks Fifth Avenue put on these fairytales were shown in the captions on the bottom of the windows. For example, my favorites were Cinderella’s, which read “Once upon a time in New York, Cinderella fell madly in love with a pair of designer shoes” and Sleeping Beauty’s, which read “Once upon a time in New York, Sleeping Beauty had trouble adjusting to the city that never sleeps.” As you can see, the windows captured New York City with elaborate and funny fairytale elements.

I took them all lightheartedly, but when analyzed more in-depth, the windows put a spotlight on New Yorkers’ busy, materialistic, and entertainment culture. All of the princesses’ gowns were decorative enough to be performers’ costumes and elements of Broadway were seen especially in the Snow White window, which had billboards in the background. It is a little concerning to see that people (including myself) are so easily caught up in wanting brand-name products like fancy shoes and the perfect holiday party dress. Amidst our many desires further encouraged by genius marketing strategies, however, we forget that material goods only bring temporary happiness.

What should be more important is the long-term effect that someone can produce for oneself and for others. Recently, my mom bought a perfume for me that I wanted for a very long time. For the first few days, I worshipped it like pirate’s treasure. I still love it now, but the hype has died down; rather, what was more long lasting and valuable was that my mom bought it for me because she knew it would make me happy. Also, what is important during the holidays is giving back to others – especially to people who are less fortunate. There are red Salvation Army buckets set up all around Manhattan, and something in the news caught my eye. A widow put her diamond engagement ring in the bucket along with a heartbreaking and moving note that read, “In all seasons, my husband was a giver. I especially remember his joy in giving at Christmastime, especially to those in need. To honor his memory, I donate this ring.” It really inspired me to keep others (besides myself, my family, and my friends) in mind throughout the holiday season.

Having lived in New York my entire life, it was familiar and comforting to see how New Yorkers themselves portrayed the holiday season. However, I would love to see more of Christmas represented around the world. I’m curious about what other people besides Americans are doing during this time of the year, and how different or similar their ways of celebrating are. I’m also curious whether they celebrate Christmas at all or if not, how they celebrate a different holiday. I love learning about different cultures as well as my own. Looking at the Christmas windows solidified my views of New York City as a very extravagant yet diverse place, full of opportunities and dreams if one is willing to reach and work for them. Unfortunately, Jenny, Jennifer, and I couldn’t look at all of the holiday windows located along Fifth Avenue (the rest are listed below if you would like to see them!). Several stores also had performances on the days they unveiled their windows, and I also wish that I could have attended them. Overall, I really enjoyed seeing Midtown dressed in its holiday gear and sharing the holiday spirit with all of the other shoppers and families who were there as well. I learned that the holiday season is one of the few rare escapes that many New Yorkers experience from their usually inundated and busy lives. I am so glad that they exist to keep the child alive within us all.

Bergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Ave, at 58th St)

Bloomingdale’s (1000 Third Ave, at 59th St)

Lord&Taylor (424 Fifth Ave, between 38^th and 39^th St)

Macy’s Herald Square (151 W 34^th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Ave)

Saks Fifth Avenue (611 Fifth Ave, at 49^th St)

Tiffany & Co (727 Fifth Ave, between 56^th and 57^th St)

Dead Horse Bay
You’ll have to thank George Takei for introducing me (indirectly) to this place. His Facebook page led me to a link on Guff.com titled “15 Secret or Easy Things to Miss in New York City.” I’ve always had a humongous curiosity for the unknown or hard-to-get-to, especially in New York City. When I was reading the article, I thought about the time when I found out about the old City Hall Station (which the 6 train passes through to switch from the downtown side to the uptown side) after interesting research about “secret” abandoned subway stations. Seeing the old City Hall station was so exciting for me; it felt like I was time traveling. I wanted another experience like that, so I decided to do more research about hidden, lesser known, or secret gems in New York City. I found several lists of these sorts of places. They included places like The Campbell Apartment, the train platform under the Waldorf-Astoria (that FDR used every time he came to NYC), the fake house in Brooklyn Heights (used as a subway ventilator), and Dead Horse Bay. Dead Horse Bay is SUPER unknown, primarily because of its isolated location. After reading about its history and unique (and delightfully creepy) qualities, I knew I had to plan a visit (or several visits).
Its name dates back to the events of the 1850s (through the 1920s). From the New York Times: “Dead Horse Bay sits at the western edge of a marshland once dotted by more than two dozen horse-rendering plants, fish oil factories and garbage incinerators.” The factories and plants dumped all of their used horse carcasses into the bay. Horse bones still wash ashore, along with old trash. The bay, during this era, was used also as a landfill, which was capped in the 1930s. The caps on the trash burst in the 1950s, so junk has been leaking onto the beach ever since.
Well, that sealed it (pun not intended) – secretive, historical, AND inundated with old trash? Well, I just had to go. That being said, in regards to the question about me being an insider or outsider: I would say I’m both. Obviously, I’m alive, and the communities that produced this trash are dead. That’s definitely a key contrast. But I’m a consumer, I definitely throw things out, and I am a part of American culture. Those parts of me (in addition to the mystery addict part) are probably what piqued my interest about and drew my to this location.
The first day I went was a cold and rainy one. I was with three other friends (God bless these people for actually going along with my craziness), and, needless to say, I was the only person truly excited to be going. We took an obscure bus to this equally obscure place, and entered a path that truly felt illegal (even though it wasn’t). The preliminary path led up to three separate ones, all leading to different parts of the Bay. We took the right-most one. I don’t know what I was expecting, but the trail leading up to the beach was breathtakingly beautiful. I’ll forgo my descriptive abilities and include pictures of it in my presentation so you can see the nature yourself.
The first visit was purely for scoping out everything and making mental observations. I wanted to see the items there, and categorize them so I could improve my collecting during the second visit. I took most of my pictures on this day. I also just wanted to have time to explore without worrying about collecting for the project all of the time. The second time I visited the bay (also with a slightly begrudging friend) I had my microscope eyes on, so I could bag the interesting and striking pieces I found. I’m bringing all of the items I collected to class in Ziploc bags (I sanitized them all, too) so people can experience them tactilely.
I discovered some really beautiful pieces- hand-painted metal toys (a few of which I brought to class), old ads, and house furnishings. Everything was made in the USA, and of extraordinarily good quality. A lot of these objects, after being kept in the least preserving conditions for over one hundred years, were still intact, vastly unblemished, and/or sturdy. This is why I consider this trash to be art- most of the pieces were crafted with quality and beauty in mind, before the majority of American companies were outsourced to poorer countries (in the monetary interest of those wealthy CEOs and other executives). Of course, the people of the late 19th century and early 20th century did not have this knowledge, so they “wasted.” They threw out beautiful and still-working items, especially toys and bottles (of course, using bottles for anything other than drinking was just not heard of). To them, though, they were only throwing the bottles, toys, ads, etc. out when they thought the objects had absolutely no use anymore.
I also, discovered, apparently, a newly classified rock type there. At the beginning of the latest National Geographic issue, I read about a kind of rock called a “plastiglomerate.” This is a rock composed of earth, sand, and debris. Though repulsive in appearance, this type of rock “could serve as markers of…civilization” according to sedimentologist Patricia Corcoran. Dead Horse Bay is home to this type of rock in areas where the sea crashes up on the land repeatedly. I included pictures of these Dead Horse Bay plastiglomerates, and you can see the unique melding of plastic, glass, rock, sand, and everything else.
I reaffirmed my romanticism and desire for adventure during both trips. As soon as I stepped onto the first path, I’m telling you, I was blissful. My friends were worried for me because I wouldn’t talk to them, and I was over-the-top excited. The extreme isolation of the location made me feel as if I could time travel, that I could forget the highway parallel to the ocean (as a writer and peace-seeker, I am always looking for accessible, beautiful, and quiet parts of the city). It was a place that fed my anachronism and created an intimacy with people I had never met.
Other than my lack of time machine, no other limitations existed in my trips. I was free to observe, photograph, and collect as I pleased. The three diverging paths allowed me to traverse the curve of the beach and satisfied my exploratory urges. I’d just like to go back there again and again. Unfortunately, Dead Horse Bay is a 90-minute commute from my house (though a 40-minute bus ride from Brooklyn College), so I only have the option, really, to travel there on special occasions. I wouldn’t go back to collect, though (unless I saw a really pretty bottle I could use as a vase or candle holder). I would write, and think there. If I really wanted to go all out, I would bring a chair, blanket, thermos, lunch, and several books to fulfill my romantic fantasy. If the other visitors look at me strangely, so what? Places like these keep me sane.

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