DUMBO - not the elephant

Last Saturday, one of my artist friends and I went to the Open Studios in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) -I don't need to tell you that this is the Brooklyn Bridge.  The only picture I could get of the nearby Manhattan Bridge was from underneath - not very attractive.  So you'll have to make do with this icon.

DUMBO is the former warehouse district where artists squatted and a great art scene grew --till the developers came in.  There are still some artists, but as we discovered, the scene is no longer as vibrant and edgy and crowded as it once was.  Nonetheless, we had a lovely day wandering around and chasing the art.  Much of it was, IMO, crapola.  Some of it was moving and well done. For my money, the best exhibit I saw was at VII Gallery - a powerful exhibit of photojournalist Ed Kashi's work. But their artists are all wonderful: the VII website has some of the strongest, most poignant photographs have ever seen.

But I digress...here are some of my photos taken as I wandered through the streets Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass... a different part of Brooklyn from my usual Prospect Heights/Park Slope destination.

These graffiti'd walls hid construction and were works of art better than anything in the galleries.

The cobblestone streets of DUMBO are punctuated by old railroad tracks that used to bring cargo to the former warehouses that are now office buildings, condos, and gallery spaces.

What a juxtaposition of color -- unintended, I am sure -- but glorious! It felt like a celebration of life to me!

Another example of elegant graffiti that made me smile.

And then, there was the shopping.

 

Grids and more grids.  A Japanese clothing company was setting up these pods in the street.  

 First, I thought these colorful displays were balls of yarn, but they were rolled-up  down jackets in all colors. Such a clever way to market, with all these pop ups. More smiles from me.

 And at the opposite end of the spectrum - this kid was trying to interact with the seated mannequin.

Don't you just love it? 

Sunday - back in New Jersey - a walk around the 1881 J&J complex where my studio is made me realize again how much I love these old building with so much history. For five years I have been entering/leaving the building without really seeing the gritty beauty around me. 

And now, back to the kitchen to finish cooking for tonight's Rosh Hashanah dinner. For those of you who celebrate, I wish you a sweet year filled with health, wealth, love, and time to enjoy them all.
love, R.