Superb images. I can't help but notice a theme of 'surrounding' - superstructures enveloping/protecting a smaller geometric feature. I'd be surprised if that's exactly what you saw, too, as my view can be a little screwy.
Thanks, mad! That's quite an (unexpected) compliment.
beyond - If that theme is present (and who am I to argue your interpretation) it's not intentional in either the subject or the representation. It's an interesting notion, though. One thing I did realize, which was present among the various newer designs, is layering. Maybe that's just another way of saying what you're describing, though. Places like Juan Valdez and Louis Vuitton layer a new facade over the old one. The Korean church does the same while also adding new, spatial layers to the old factory. Even the Socrates "hair tree" is adding a layer to the bark below. Maybe this layering is symptomatic of New York, where new interventions are layered upon old, creating something strata-like that is constantly changing. At least, it's a more appealing view than obliteration and creation anew, though I figure even that is another way of layering, just on a different scale. The more I think about it, the more I think we're on the same page.
Wonderful series -- I learned (and saw) a lot, thanks! What mad architect said re. quality of your photography, too. And the musings between you and beyond re. "surrounding" / "layering": very interesting. I'd add another term, perhaps: "adapting." Reminds me of something Robert Stern said about great cities having buildings that are adaptable to other uses over time...
You're welcome Yule. And thanks, as well. The Korean church is probably the most relevant in terms of adaptability, as it was formerly a factory and is now a religious structure. It's too bad that the city tears down much of its industrial past, rather than finding creative ways to adapt them to other uses.
John, this art is a beautiful tribute to a City which often is maligned. I grew up in New York's East Village and was so thrilled that I recognized "Stuyvesant Town". Your photographs reminded me how much I miss those intimate details of the environment.
Thanks for sharing them...from someone stuck out here in the boonies where they threaten to bring you up on criminal charges if your lawn doesn't have enough landscaping to match everyone else's.
John, the quality of photography cannot go unmentioned. Remarkable.
ReplyDeleteSuperb images. I can't help but notice a theme of 'surrounding' - superstructures enveloping/protecting a smaller geometric feature. I'd be surprised if that's exactly what you saw, too, as my view can be a little screwy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, mad! That's quite an (unexpected) compliment.
ReplyDeletebeyond - If that theme is present (and who am I to argue your interpretation) it's not intentional in either the subject or the representation. It's an interesting notion, though. One thing I did realize, which was present among the various newer designs, is layering. Maybe that's just another way of saying what you're describing, though. Places like Juan Valdez and Louis Vuitton layer a new facade over the old one. The Korean church does the same while also adding new, spatial layers to the old factory. Even the Socrates "hair tree" is adding a layer to the bark below. Maybe this layering is symptomatic of New York, where new interventions are layered upon old, creating something strata-like that is constantly changing. At least, it's a more appealing view than obliteration and creation anew, though I figure even that is another way of layering, just on a different scale. The more I think about it, the more I think we're on the same page.
Wonderful series -- I learned (and saw) a lot, thanks! What mad architect said re. quality of your photography, too. And the musings between you and beyond re. "surrounding" / "layering": very interesting. I'd add another term, perhaps: "adapting." Reminds me of something Robert Stern said about great cities having buildings that are adaptable to other uses over time...
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Yule. And thanks, as well. The Korean church is probably the most relevant in terms of adaptability, as it was formerly a factory and is now a religious structure. It's too bad that the city tears down much of its industrial past, rather than finding creative ways to adapt them to other uses.
ReplyDeleteJohn, it's very impressive of what you had put together. For me, who work in NYC, it's very educational.
ReplyDeletemshao
Way to hustle - you've been tearing up NYC!
ReplyDeleteJohn, this art is a beautiful tribute to a City which often is maligned. I grew up in New York's East Village and was so thrilled that I recognized "Stuyvesant Town". Your photographs reminded me how much I miss those intimate details of the environment.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing them...from someone stuck out here in the boonies where they threaten to bring you up on criminal charges if your lawn doesn't have enough landscaping to match everyone else's.
Linda
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Very inspiring to get out there and see more even when its colder out.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the Socrates Sculpture Park. I will have to make a trip up there.