The Jewish Museum

Visiting the "International Center of Photography" was a nice transition into visiting "The Jewish Museum."  On the first floor, there was an exhibit "The Radical Camera: New York's Photo League, 1936-1951"  Here, photographers including Arnold Eagle, Rebecca Lepkoff and Alexander Alland, along with others, rejected modernism and photographed the disturbing reality of what was happening on the streets of New York City.

To visit, the Jewish Museum is located 1109 5th Ave, at 92nd St.  Admission is $ 7.50 for Students and free for all on Saturday.  For more information, visit http://www.thejewishmuseum.org/

International Center for Photography

This museum really offered an array of images that, in turn, resulted in an array of emotions.

On the first floor is "Signs of Life: Photographs by Peter Sekaer."  This collection really captured areas of America, including New York City, during the Great Depression.  The Danish documentary photographer ranged in images that made me laugh out loud to ones that broke my heart.

Also on the 1st floor was "Harper's Bazaar: A Decade of Style."  This exhibit captured a lot of photoshoots from recent years and the end result was really lovely.

The final exhibit, downstairs, was different from all the rest. "Remembering 9/11" providing heart wrenching images and descriptions of different NYC experiences after the attack on the Twin Towers.  I'm not one who cries easily, but I teared up as I looked at some of the photographs.

To visit the International Center for Photography, visit 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street between 10 AM and 6 PM.  Tickets are $8 for students.  To visit online, go to http://www.icp.org/

Central Park, the Soundtrack

Ever think your life should have a soundtrack? The musical duo Bluebrain can help!  There's a new iphone app that you can plug in and listen to as you walk through Central Park.  

Say the NYTimes:

"The music does not begin until you pass through an entrance and head into the trees. Then it sounds like an orchestra tuning up, a chaotic jumble of wind chimes, electronic moans and discordant strings. Push farther into the park, and a sweet violin melody emerges over languid piano chords"

The app is FREE! so upload it, go to central park and experience the beauty! :]

To read more, NYTimes article is here

The New Museum

If you want a museum with a wide variety of statues and paintings, traditional in nature, the New Museum is NOT for you.  But, if you want a museum that requires your participation to enjoy the work.....The New Museum ($12 for students, $16 general) is WELL worth it.  I repeat...WELL. WORTH. IT.

Where else can you....

ride a carousel?

slide down 3 floors of a museum?

float in a tank that simulates the dead sea?


believe me.  It's unREAL! Never have I ever been in a museum that gave me this much excitement!

my friends and I went on the carousel....

but I was too much of a weinie to go on the slide!  They ended up going though....so cool and tough with their helmets! ;]


Other notable parts of the museum:

sit in with your head in a fish tank!

take some pills! (not recommended....I recommend putting your hands in them and playing with them though.)

entering a room with a strobe light and observing the...animals.

walk among mushrooms!


It's not a HUGE selection, but prepare to spend a lot of time trying out the activities.  To go on the carousel, slide and tank, you'll need to sign a waiver.  Do it.  Really. Do it.

for more information visit http://www.newmuseum.org/

Olana

Since there was no school, due to Thanksgiving, I went to Olana with my family.  This Persian Home of Frederic Church is in Hudson, right by the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. 

If you're in the area, I recommend taking a trip.  It's really rather beautiful! http://www.olana.org/

Whitney Museum of American Art

I've never really thought about surreal art.  I never really considered myself a big fan.  But it's really one thing to touch on it in an art history class and another to go to the Whitney and see it in person.

For more information, visit http://whitney.org/