Tumbling Mirages by Dennis Oppenheim

This installation art piece entitled, Tumbling Mirages by Dennis Oppenheim is one of the many public art projects sponsored by the Union Square Partnership and NYC Parks & Recreation department. The three 15-foot orbs, constructed from steel and fiberglass with multicolor panels, will remain at the southeast corner of the park until November 2008.

So have you ever tumbled (like circus artists) on a trampoline?

And God Created Adam

I saw this mural depicting one of Leonardo da Vinci's work, The Creation of Adam on the side of a building on Lafayette near Bond Street in Nolita (North of Little Italy) last weekend. The interesting thing about this mural is that both Adam and God were drawn as black men here.

The original painting (a fresco) was drawn on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City. I believe I saw the real painting when my parents took me to Italy when I was about 10 years old. I even tossed a couple of Italian liras into the Trevi Fountain in Rome hoping one day to go back to the city again.

So tell me, in which city did you have your best vacation?

Three Bridges of East River

Strangetastes of Saint Louis Daily Photo and his lovely bride visited me in NYC yesterday morning (Saturday) with their nephew, Michael. We went on a 30-minute cruise on the East River to view the Waterfall Exhibition by Olafur Eliasson. I think we all managed to have fun exploring the city despite the foggy and wet weather.

In the photo above, you can see one of the four artificial waterfalls -- this one is under the Brooklyn Bridge. You can also see three bridges that connect Manhattan Island to Long Island, starting with Brooklyn Bridge closest to the boat, followed by Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge.

So how is your weekend so far?

Boardwalk at South Street Seaport

This photo was taken at the boardwalk by South Street Seaport near Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. I was there to pick up the tickets for a 30-minute cruise around the city to view the waterfall installation by artist, Olafur Eliasson this coming holiday weekend. A fellow daily photo blogger is visiting NYC so we are going to meet up and go on this cruise with his family.

Can you guess who is the daily photo blogger?

Rooftop Art at the MET

This installation on the rooftop garden of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) is the Coloring Book by Jeff Koons. It is one of three pieces of work by Mr. Koons on exhibition here.

You can see my reflection and the skyline of Manhattan in the shiny surface. I know, I know, I need to lose a few pounds or so. I've been asking for steamed broccoli instead of french fries with my (oh the horror) turkey burger.

So do you have any other tips on losing weight and eating healthy?

Flower Power

I saw this elaborate mural outside a Mexican restaurant in the Lower East Side a couple weeks ago. It looked like the artist put a lot of time and effort into it and it's quite lovely. Sometimes, I wish I can draw but unfortunately, I'm still struggling with stick figure drawings.

What skills or talent do you wish you have?

Virgin Mummy by Damien Hirst

Last year, I posted a photo of the Virgin Mother by Damien Hirst that was located outside the Lever House on Park Avenue and 50th Street. Earlier this week, I saw the statue again but it was wrapped in plastic and tape, looking very much like a mummy. I assume it was being prepped to be moved to a new location.

So when did you move to your current home?

The Love Wall

The Love Wall is a sculpture by Robert Indiana that was installed on the meridian of Park Avenue and 57th Street. The art installation is one of New York City's Parks Department projects and will be stay on 5th Avenue until May 15.

So when was the last time you fell in love? It can be for a dog or an object; it doesn't have to be a person.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

This impressive staircase is the central entrance to the 2nd floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side. The museum has a South Wing (Greek & Roman Art) and a North Wing (Egyptian Art). This central entrance leads directly from the front door of the museum to the back, where the American Art is located.

So when was the last time you visited a museum?

Theme Photo: Graffiti or Street Mural

The theme for March's photo is graffiti or street mural. This photo above was taken from the elevated #7 train in Long Island City and it shows the graffitis that are plastered all over the surfaces of various buildings in the area. They are part of a permanent art project for PS1, an alternative, avant garde museum.

This month, 144 bloggers are participating in the theme photo. Check them out.

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn

Artist In Training

I was in SoHo yesterday afternoon for an appointment and I came upon this young fellow doing a chalk drawing outside a retail store next to the Sunrise Mart on Broome Street and West Broadway. The last time I saw such an elaborate chalk drawing on the street was in Paris, outside the Louvre.

So when was the last time you saw a chalk drawing?

Tree of Steel

This steel trees sculpture by Roxy Paine is one of three such structures that were installed at the Madison Square Park on 23th Street and Broadway.

So do you know what you are getting for Christmas this year?

Lecture at the Asia Society

Two nights ago, I was invited by a friend to attend a lecture and book signing event by a world renowned chi gong master (gentleman seated on the right) at the Asia Society, a cultural institution and museum in the Upper East Side. The chi gong master claimed that the martial art, which included breathing exercises, can cure everything from cancer to asthma and diabetes. I was surprised nobody in the audience contradicted his statement. Maybe everyone was being polite.

So what kind of exercise do you do?

Subway Art @ Prince Street

Janet Zweig and Edward del Rosario are the artists who created the ceramic mosaics that are currently installed on the walls of the subway station at Prince Street in SoHo. The ceramic artwork depicts regular New Yorkers going on with their every day lives.

Initially, I was going to post a photo of the ceramic artwork but I found this photo to be more amusing because of my reflection on the vandalized steel plate. To see the photos of the ceramic artwork, click here.

So how often do you look at yourself in the mirror? Do you talk to yourself in the mirror?

What Lies Beneath

I walked by Greene Street in SoHo many times but never noticed the artwork beneath me until this past weekend when I saw some tourists reading the sign (photo #2) on the floor. That was when I realized there was something interesting there. It is an interpretation of the New York City subway map by Franciose Schein. To see the real NYC subway map, click here.

So do you usually look at what's beneath you? Have you ever stepped on a piece of gum or dog doo-doo?

Graffiti or Art?

Is this graffiti or art? I found this scene in SoHo near some of the most expensive retail outlets in New York City. I think this is an entrance to one of the few artist studios that are still in SoHo.

Most of the original buildings here were warehouses (dangerous and undesirable) in the 1970s. Then struggling artists moved into the area (cheap rent, huge spaces) in the 1980s and gentrification began. In the 1990s, SoHo became a hip and chic area and today, it has some of the most expensive luxury retail stores and condos in the city.

So what was your neighborhood like 30 years ago?

N.B.: I have been really busy at work lately so if I haven't stopped by your site to say HI, please excuse my absence. I will try to drop by when I have some time.

Ring Dome by Minsuk Cho

This dome shape structure by Korean architect, Minsuk Cho almost encased the entire park south of Spring Street between Cleveland Place and Spring Street. The project entitled, Ring Dome was made out of hundreds of hula hoop-like tubes secured together by thousands of fabric straps to produce the dome.

To see the see from inside the Ring Dome, click on here to the Making of NYC DP.

So when was the last time you took a spin with a hula hoop?

Taxi Art

Recently, yellow taxicabs were decorated with flowers to celebrate 100 years of motorized, metered taxis in New York City. The project entitled, Garden in Transit was started by two brothers, Ed and Bernie Massey from California in 2000. Over 27,000 pieces of vinyl sheets were painted by children in schools and hospitals and used to cover the roofs and top surfaces of about 12,700 taxicabs in the city.

Of the painted flowers above, which is your favorite?

Installation Art on Pine Street

This is a gigantic art installation entitled Group of Four Trees by Jean DuBuffet in front of the Chase Manhattan Plaza, the tall building in the background. The structure is located on Pine Street, between Nassau and William Street in the Financial District of downtown Manhattan.

When I took the photo of this structure, I neglected to also photograph the names of the artist and artwork displayed at the site so it took me about half an hour this morning to research all the information to put on here.

To see a different view and appreciate its sheer size, click on here. You can see that it is at least 50 feet tall.

Do you also photograph the information of the artist and the name of the artwork when you see a piece of art that you like?

Art or Smut?

This is a somewhat beautiful sculpture of a pregnant woman called, the Virgin Mother by British bad-boy artist, Damien Hirst. The bronze sculpture is roughly two-and-a-half storeys high and stands on plaza of the Lever House at Park Avenue and 5oth Street. I said the sculpture is "somewhat beautiful" because you are looking at the pretty side of the woman. The other side of the sculpture shows the anatomy of her body beneath the skins and muscles. Click here to see the other side of her body.

Damien Hirst is considered the "shock jock" of contemporary art because most of his work, in my opinion, are created to elicit shock and horror from the audience. Among his most recognizable and shocking art pieces are a tiger shark cut into three sections, and a cow and calf sliced into half cross-sectionally, all preserved in formaldehyde. Despite his outrageous stunts, he is extremely successful (i.e., wealthy) and his work, highly collectible.

What do you think? Has contemporary art gone too far or will future generations look at this as a ground breaking trend, like we do now with Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein?