Botanical Garden, Bronx, August 2006

Rob and I went to see the Dale Chihuly exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden on Saturday. Chihuly, a glass blower, produces wild sculptures that certainly seem botanically inspired. The one above, called "Sun," is erected over an outdoor fountain. Below, floats are scattered in the garden's lily ponds and tremendous sculptures are suspended in the greenhouses.




I like the way the glass creations relate to the gardens. The ones above, for example, look like barrel cacti growing amid other desert plants.

All in all, it's a great show. Certainly lots of fodder for photographers!

W. 47th Street, February 2006

These silly balloons were bouncing in the breeze outside a restaurant, carrying on the color scheme of the wall.

Chinatown, May 2006

These pipes on Hester Street are the picture, and also the frame.

For another blogger's take on interesting pipes, click here.

Chelsea, July 2006

This sidewalk art is on W. 24th Street just beyond 10th Avenue. It's near an industrial or construction site, and when I first saw it, it was covered with sand and debris. I came back a few days later with a broom, swept it off and took the photo.

Is it signed Paul Richard, or is it a portrait of Paul Richard?

UPDATE: Through the magic of Google, I answered my own question. Click here. Look especially at "works on paper."

Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, July 2006

The Storm King Theater is a great old movie house, now occupied by a restaurant. It took its name from a nearby mountain.


A rounded front wall gives the building a deco look. The corner entranceway has a colorfully banded ceiling (above) and a beautiful terrazzo floor.


There's also a nice decorative cornice at the top of the exterior wall.

I tried to look up some information about this theater, such as when it was built, when it closed, and who designed it, but I had no luck. If anyone knows, drop me a comment!

Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, July 2006

Back now from my brief trip to Cornwall, in the Hudson Valley, where I go with my Zen group for an annual retreat. This year I signed up for a fairly rigorous one: up at 4:20 a.m., then meditation throughout the day, interspersed with services, exercise and work. Meals were in the formal ritual style, with small portions of excellent, fresh vegetarian food. We kept silent as much as possible.

There's a real beauty in living communally, even under trying (and hot!) circumstances. The challenging practice brings you face-to-face with your own mind: its tricks, its deceptions, all the roiling emotions you feel when under pressure.

I took this photo during one of our exercise periods, when I walked through the village. (We were told to avoid technology, but I made a brief exception for my digital camera!) I loved the facade of this apartment building, with its graceful symmetry.

E. 29th Street, July 2006

Here's a bonus posting, since I've been away. This sign, in a second-floor window above a Chinese restaurant near my apartment, is a prediction in itself!