If you find yourself lacking in creativity, needing a boost of spontaneous inspiration, there may be a solution on 123 East 24^th street, just a stones throw from Baruch College. Part bar, part coffee joint, part breakfast eat-in, and part community ideation, the PIT or Peoples Improv Theater is just the cranial pick-me-up you’ll need to carry you through the week.

Be it a gratis drop in class or month long workshop, the PIT’s environment will have you crawling back for some psychologically organic, gut busting skits. This incredibly diverse house of skill, talent, and dignity is scary to enter and (for fear of the very real world out there) scarier to leave.

Our universe is a complex being in itself, replete with distinct peculiarities and phenomena still outside the bounds of mankind’s intellectual grasp. Dr. Martin Rees attempts to broaden the laymen’s knowledge of this physical construct into comprehensible form, by addressing six numerical constants that without which life in our universe could not possibly exist. Dr. Rees is an esteemed cosmologists and astrophysicist, often cited as one of the preeminent leaders of these respective fields. He has also contributed extensively to the study of abnormal cosmological phenomena. In his book “Just Six Numbers,” Dr. Rees does more than just ramble on about some seemingly arbitrary and exaggeratedly intriguing numbers (most have decimal points and exponents). He uses these as the focal point to explore the intricacies and nuances of what makes our physical existence tick. In doing this, he presents a full and comprehensive vantage point of an interesting universe, which can be understand in full by self-professed ignorants of science, myself included.

Marni Kotak’s exhibition called “The Birth of Baby X” takes art into a different realm. She brings the concept of art back to home while simultaneously stretching its meaning into abstraction. In her works as a whole Kotak looks to share her experiences with her audience is real time. They literally get to see her life in action, played out before them unedited and unscripted. This concept is epitomized in her newest work “The Birth of Baby X” on exhibition at the Microscope Gallery in Brooklyn where she converted the space into a birthing room- the show room for her baby’s birth. The exhibit also includes sculptures and other works but gives way for the main event: “The Birth of Baby X”.

The Angels and Demons by Dan Brown is pulse racing thriller that presents a unique joy ride through the halls of Vatican City. Robert Langdon is up and about trying to figure out his latest dilemma which includes the disappearance of four cardinals. Langdon discovers that the Illuminati have captured the Cardinals; however the question arises where the Illuminati have come from since they have been disbanded for years.

Langdon is being pursued by an assassin who has made it his top priority to stop Langdon from discovering the identity of the Illuminati. Brown writes a very well written novel that is a page turner.

There’s a collection of art in Long Island City, Queens that too many people don’t know about. 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center has one on site staff, free admission and no advertising campaign. It’s a head turning mecca of graffiti, a public space rented to the world’s best in the fresh style of art, still seen as more juvenile than breathtaking.

You can usually spot one or two paint can connoisseurs offering a bridge between the process and the product. The demand for space is astronomical so each piece only lives for a short period. On top of that, this living, morphing collection has plans for demolition. It’s set to be developed for condos later this winter. See it soon, while it’s still changing.

This past weekend was Yom Kippur, the holiest and most solemn day in the Jewish religion. My grandfather, Sol Zim, is the cantor (basically someone who recites the prayers through song) at Hollis Hills Jewish Center in Queens. As I stood and watched my grandfather sing, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy and admiration. The melodies and harmonies resonated throughout the synagogue and compeled all in attendance to join in. Now, I don’t consider myself to be religious nor affiliated with any religion in particular; however, on that day I experienced an event that I don’t quite understand. What drives some people to visit their local church, temple, mosque, or place of worship on a daily basis? Whatever it is, I certainly don’t possess it. The ability to maintain such faith in something so vague is something I will always have the upmost respect for.

"Pablo Picasso, Pendant: Le gran Faune, 1973"

The second floor of the Museum of Arts and Design was packed with tourists and wealthy patrons. As I made my way through the eager crowd to see the “Picasso to Koons: The Artist as Jeweler” collection, I could easily share in the enthusiasm that filled the room. The collection featured brooches, necklaces, watches, and pendants from painters and sculptors of the 20^th and 21st centuries including Pablo Picasso, Rene Magritte, Salvador Dali, Louise Bourgeois, Keith Sonnier, Donald Sultan, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol. The pieces were reflective of their creators’ artistic styles; Picasso’s iconic abstraction made it into his gold pendants and Magritte’s taste for the surreal transcended into his fragile but impactful brooches. Jewelry may not have been the artists’ main forte, but the pieces were distinctive as well as immaculately crafted. In a stunning display of imagination and craftsmanship, the exhibit kept me intrigued and eager to create.

When people think of a soccer match they imagine two teams battling in order to become the victor. However, if someone would attend a game at Red Bull Arena they would see how there is more to soccer then simply winning. Before the game even starts there is a sea of people walking to the arena each proudly wearing their teams’ colors; it’s like swimming in a rainbow. During the game watching the way the players handle the ball and show their skill is truly an art form in it’s own. Win or lose one thing that always gets a person’s blood pumping is the roar of the crowd, whether they are shouting praises or insults it creates a mob mentality unlike any other. The crowd also sings songs that motivate their team while discouraging the other team; the crowd also does organized dances and chants to stimulate the rest of the crowd. The crowd truly is a vital part of the experience and the game would not be the same without it. When one realizes all the things that truly make up a soccer game at Red Bull Arena they must ask themselves the question: “Is a soccer game really just a bunch brutes chasing a ball or is it a little bit more?”

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is filled with more than visual works of art. Visiting this monumental museum may feel a bit intimidating at first and somewhat disorienting. However, the Metropolitan Museum, more commonly known as the Met, is designed with the audience in mind. Each section is divided into exhibits that reveal a component that this museum surprisingly contains: culture. You may think that art in itself is culture already, but the Met creates a whole different atmosphere that gives the viewer a clear depiction of the time period in which the art is based or taken from. Take a look inside and explore your interests. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn.

Invitingly warm days bring delicious life to Battery Park. Not only do the smells of hallal food line the grounds, various street art vendors sit by their works, watching for possible customers. The artists’ bounty is endless: caricatures, cityscapes, Disney characters, abstract paintings, and more.  These aren’t famous or recognized artists, but more of that of ordinary New Yorkers, and it’s as if our surroundings and current culture are all captured here, in visual form. Each stand displays its own distinctive expression; they are life encased on square canvas. Buy a cold canned drink for a buck, and browse at your leisure on a sunny day!

Even though there are hundreds of Halal carts in Manhattan, none are as renowned as the cart on 53^rd and 6^th. The stand, run by the Halal Guys, has become the go-to-spot for anyone craving gyro sandwiches or platters.  Before enjoying my delicious lamb gyro, I wondered how this specific stand had become so famous. After finishing the gyro, I knew why.  The Guys on 53^rd and 6^th have created perfect tasting Halal food. It is undoubtedly the best four dollar meal you can purchase in Manhattan.

Art sometimes appears where you least expect it. As students are sitting in the 12th floor hallway of Baruch College, waiting indifferently and perhaps, even dreadfully for classes to start, a male student suddenly starts dancing. Dancing to the song, “Party Rock Anthem,” he moved to the beat of the music not with clean and executed dance moves, but with infectious and exultant energy. Arms swaying wildly, as he kicked his feet up repeatedly, his dance moves can only be described as one of a kind, a combination of break dancing, hip hop, and his own unique flavor. As the music ended and he took a bow, the audience exploded with well deserved applause. He affected each and every one of them with his own unique interpretation of art, providing art and entertainment in an otherwise boring and dull day.

After walking through what at first seems to be a simple framing store, one will find more art than can be expected. Astoria Art and Framing’s art gallery is filled with many lively and vivid paintings. The styles and types of pictures greatly vary; some of the pictures include a detailed depiction of Times Square and a recreation of the poster for Pulp Fiction. The many different pictures will both excite and amuse you. You may even find some that you wish to purchase. Whether you want to explore interesting types of art or simply wish to purchase custom framing for your own picture, Astoria Art and Framing is worth checking out.

As you enter “The Hugo Boss Prize 2010:Hans-Peter Feldmann” exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum it is likely you will be filled with confusion. The exhibit contains two empty rooms that are enclosed with dollar bill covered walls. From ceiling to floor, Feldmann has arranged used dollar bills, one overlapping the other to ensure that the wall is covered in its entirety. This exhibit left me with a great deal of questions, such as “what inspired Feldmann to do this?” or “where did he get all these dollar bills from?”, which led me to do some research.  According to the museum’s assistant curator Katherine Brinson, this exhibit “extends the artist’s lifelong obsession with collecting familiar material into simple groupings”(Brinson). Upon learning that Feldmann had been given an award of $100,000 as part of the Hugo Boss Prize and had therefore displayed the $100,000 as one dollar bills, I gained a whole new perspective of the exhibit. If you are one that is intrigued by organized, unique art that is sure to be one of a kind I suggest you stop by this exhibit. While at the Guggenheim, I also highly encourage you to explore the multitude of other artists currently on display, such as works by Picasso in the Thannhauser Gallery.
source:Brinson, Katherine. “THE HUGO BOSS PRIZE 2010: Hans-Peter Feldmann.” New York. Web. 07 Oct. 2011. <http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/exhibitions/on-view/hugo-boss-prize-2010>.

For almost fifteen years, I thought Medieval Festivals were unique to the more suburban parts of the country, like perhaps Upstate New York or Pennsylvania. What a pleasant surprise it was to find out that not only was there one in New York City, but that people dressed up for it with all the enthusiasm that could be expected. There were corsets and pantaloons aplomb on that festive Sunday! Even though there were just as many people in plain, modern day dress, one couldn’t escape from a swirl of gown and flash of puce at every turn. It could hardly be called an exclusive club, yet I found myself exchanging knowing glances whenever I saw someone else just like me, dressed up in their prettiest frocks.

You walk into the small room with photos and Bazaar covers covering the walls and you can’t help but notice the beautiful women that have been in the magazine. In the “Harper’s Bazaar: A Decade of Style” exhibit in the International Center of Photography, you witness the changes in fashion throughout the years through the eyes of Bazaar magazine. These fashion trends are shown in photos ranging from black and white photos of fully clothed women with extravagant makeup to colorful nude women with minimal makeup. Since fashion is such an important thing in today’s world, this exhibit shows the amazing fashion and models over the years.

“A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving is a novel that covers a range of human emotion. “Meany” is able to seamlessly make readers cry and laugh. What I liked enjoyed most was the book’s very memorable dark humor. The titular character of the novel, Owen Meany, is a stubborn and high-pitched short-person that believes himself to be the “instrument of God.” Owen talks in all capital letters (LIKE THIS THROUGHOUT THE BOOK), which I believe really gives you an idea of Irving unique writing style.
The book features the exploits of Owen and his best friend John. Because Owen is short and has a very high-pitched voice, he gets into some really interesting and awkward situations. The book is also permeated with more mature concepts: religious motifs and critiques of American society’s morals saturate the story. Despite containing such powerful and polarizing topics, “A Prayer for Owen Meany” remains enjoyable because of its ironic and comedic moments.

Note: I was supposed to go to the Visual Arts Museum near Baruch, but had to study for Pre-Calculus today. Hopefully, I’ll visit the museum within a week of this post.

Walking down Wall Street these past few weeks was like walking into an alternate reality. An art form in itself, the Occupy Wall Street protests mimicked something of a live, passionate musical number straight out of a Broadway show. The throngs of protesters were passion-filled artists, singing and dancing along to the music of their stomping feet and the lyrics of their messages, desperately trying to be heard. Whether you agree with their song or not, it’s difficult not to stop and listen. This spectacle shows no signs of slowing down, and is definitely worth a visit. Whether you are taking part, or are simply in the audience, the passion of the growing crowd clearly resonates, as the show seems to grow larger by the day.

Within a short walk from Union Square is the Rubin Museum of Art. The Museum brings art from the Himalayan countries such as China, Tibet, Nepal and India. The artwork is comprised of statues and narrative drawings depicting both historical and religious scenes. Continue reading →