The Arts in New York City

On September 8, art enthusiasts (mainly children and parents) from all around New York City gathered at various venues in lower Manhattan for a full day of hands-on activities during the second-annual “The Big Draw” free event. Divided into four different sites (laser tag at the Graffiti Research Lab was cancelled), it lasted from 11AM to 4PM. Participants could pick up a free sketchbook and start drawing right away without registration. Art materials including easels, pencils, and paintbrushes were provided at each location. Free bus services took passengers from one site to another for convenience, though I personally decided to walk. (more…)

It was a Friday afternoon and what better than to spend the day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Well, not exactly. Growing up in New York, I had been to the Met a countless number of times. Every year, I would go as a part of a class trip and when I was younger, I was extremely excited. But having gone year after year to the same place, the Met lost its exquisite feel. I would find myself bored. I would walk pass each painting and spend at most a minute on, not understanding how all these people surrounding the painting were mesmerized by it. Were we looking at the same thing? (more…)

The Big Draw, part of the River to River Festival, is a free annual art event in Lower Manhattan that is sure to interest both young and old. Spread out over several locations, all accessible by foot or provided bus, The Big Draw offers five unique artistic experiences ranging from traditional observational drawing to even laser tag. Although attending as many events as possible was on my agenda, I was only able to attend two of the five events, but had fantastic time nevertheless. Upon arriving at an event, stalls set up along the sides provide you with a sketchbook, which features the locations conveniently marked off on a map, a schedule of when they take place and descriptions of the activities. (more…)

Repicturing the Past/Picturing the Present at MoMA NYC
(Running from June 13–November 5, 2007)

Just by walking up the first flight of stairs in the recently built and state-of-the-art Museum of Modern Art you get the idea that you’re in for a special treat (may I add that it is an even better treat for CUNY students who get in free). Now, once you reach the first floor you might be quickly attracted by the Richard Serra sculpture exhibit, but on the opposite side of the floor, in what is almost a little niche there is the Repicturing the Past/Picturing the Present exhibit. This exhibit examines how artists from the late 1800’s to today have explored contemporary concerns by challenging, redeeming, or personalizing historical subjects. Many of the works take a narrative approach, referring to events in history, ancient mythology, the Bible, or centuries-old fables. Now this was something that seemed like it could be interesting; art with a meaning behind it everyone can understand, instead of some rusty circular sculptures or blank canvases. This exhibit has the capability to entertain the everyday art admirer as well as the professional art critics with pieces that relate to historical events. (more…)

Anna Cymerman September 14, 2007

The Arts in New York City- Review # 1

Hippies, drugs, sex, music, flashing lights and bright, neon colors basically define the Whitney museum’s exhibition entitled, “Summer of Love- Art of the Psychedelic Era”. After visiting this exhibition I was left with feelings of satisfaction, awe, and especially dizziness. “Summer of Love” which runs until September 16^th is an enormous collection of various artwork from 1965-1970 or, “The Psychedelic Era” The artwork ranges from photographs of Woodstock and celebrities of the time such as The Beatles and Mick Jagger to CD covers and concert posters. A very popular theme throughout the exhibit is the anti-war movement which was the basis of most of the artwork and music made throughout the era. Although the Vietnam War brought upon grief for many Americans at the time, they chose to turn grief into pacifism and happiness, hence the popular usage of drugs and colorful designs found in the artwork.
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On the search for an experience of the arts, I decided to attend a tour of the Robert Lehman Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. My tour guide was an elderly woman in her 60s named Phyllis Rodman. At the sight of having an old woman as a tour guide, I began to worry about the possibility of the event being as boring as a history lesson rather than as interesting and engaging as the theater performance of Spring Awakening. She even said to us before she began the tour, “You can leave at any time if I am not engaging.” To top things off, everyone else in the group was middle-aged or older. The tour was supposed to be only an hour long, so I decided to just go through with it. (more…)

I am sure you haven’t forgotten that your first review is due on Wednesday. Bring a printed copy of your review with you to the museum. Also post an electronic version of your review to the blog. Make sure you do the following: (more…)