From Portraits to Puddles, 3: Coast Guard Memorial

NOTE: What makes an effective tribute? What makes a memorable memorial? This is the third in a series of posts in which I point out the lessons we can learn…

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From Portraits to Puddles, 2: Dewey Memorial

NOTE: What makes an effective tribute? What makes a memorable memorial? This is the second in a series of posts in which I point out the lessons we can learn…

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ARC Exhibition at Salmagundi Club thru 10/2/18

The Art Renewal Center's annual competition for contemporary realistic art attracts some of the best artists from around the world. The paintings and sculptures are stunning for their technique and/or…

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From Portraits to Puddles, 1: Introduction & Ericsson

Introduction I find Reflecting Absence, the memorial on the site of the World Trade Center, profoundly  unsatisfying. If you do, too, this essay will help you understand why landscape architecture…

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Manhattan Bridge: Almost 99 Years Old

The Manhattan Bridge, connecting Canal Street in Manhattan with Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, opened for business on the last day of 1909. Its 6,855-foot length carries four lanes of traffic…

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National Gallery, London: Five Favorites

About the National Gallery Unlike the Louvre and the Prado, whose earliest holdings came from royalty, the National Gallery evolved from a collection of 38 paintings purchased by the British…

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William Shakespeare, Central Park

This essay is adapted from Chapter 37 of Outdoor Monuments of Manhattan: A Historical Guide. I’ve kept cross-references to other chapters in the book, all of which will eventually be updated and…

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The Dene Shelter (Central Park Maintenance)

The rustic Dene Shelter, sitting high on a rocky outcrop, is a great place to enjoy a splendid view and think about how many, many things could go wrong in…

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