NY - free art & entertainment!

Art Among the Ticket Windows I love to photograph New York and today was no exception. I took the bus in to meet my daughter Jessica, my camera in hand (for a change). One of my favorite pieces of art stands near the ticket windows in the Port Authority Bus Terminal - George Segal's famous sculpture, The Commuters: Next Departure. He has captured perfectly the body language of people at the end of the day, waiting on line for the 5:00 bus. And their expressions...I think this is the first time I ever looked at their faces. Been there/done that. I know just how they feel. Art in the Subway As I walked across 41st street to the Times Square station, I smiled at the Broadway lighting of the sign, which flashed on and off and on and off. Is it new or have I just not used the 41st St. entrance before? This was the day there was so much wind that I was almost blown off the sidewalk, so it was good to go underground for a while. I needed to take the Shuttle across town to Grand Central Station and then walk over to the #6 train, which was going to take me uptown on the east side. Right near the shuttle, I encountered the Ebony Hillbillies (listen to their music at that link) -- a fabulous bluegrass group that almost kept me from getting on the train because I didn't want to miss a note! They're famous -- you can read about them and the history of the string band (and see a better photo of them here.) I got on the shuttle smiling and several other passengers sat with their toes tapping till the doors closed and the train moved. Got off the shuttle and was greeted with this amazing mural by Roy Lichtenstein - absolutely recognizable - but I couldn't believe it. It's wonderful - although I only captured a piece of it here. Public art - another reason to smile. Further on, the walls en route to the subways sparkled with mosaics that I quickly took pictures of but didn't have time to stop and study. Some of these people are real - LOL. After our appointment, Jessica and I crossed town to the new Hearst Tower to grab lunch in their cafeteria before I headed home. Light and airy and beautiful inside, it is a totally green building. This waterfall is just inside the front entrance and all the water is recycled. The addition to the art deco building really works - it is beautiful space. And the food in the employee cafe is nothing less than delicious. Jessica's office is all glass (she can't hide and take a nap) and this is her view from the 41st floor. Just beyond the buildings is the Hudson River. She stood and watched the airplane land right there a couple of weeks ago when that amazing pilot saved the lives of everyone on the flight. Day over, I took the subway down to the Port Authority, waved at the Commuter sculpture, and got back on the bus. Once back in New Jersey, I headed to Hilary's to pick up Josh and Ben. Tune in for the next chapter...and more art.