The Arts in New York City

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Last weekend when I cleared up my drawer, I found red envelopes from last Chinese New Year. They are small envelopes, mostly three by five inches. The dominant color is red. Those envelopes were promotional items from various banks to Chinese customers. There are different pictures on it. I think those pictures on the envelopes are representative of Chinese traditional art. The figure on the third envelop in the first one is the god of treasury whom the Chinese people believe he is in charge all the money. On the third envelope in the second row, he is portrayed in a cartoon image. This image is very popular among young Chinese people. There is English text in the picture on the fourth envelope in the first row. It incorporates western element into Chinese art. I hope I will get envelopes with creative pictures and receive more money in this coming Chinese New Year.

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I walk across the Madison Square Park to the subway station every now and then. There is an artificial tree at the center of the park. It is made of steel and has short branches but leaves. It is as tall as the natural trees in the park. It always catches my eyes because of the glossy steel. I have different feelings about it every time when I see it. When I am in a good mood, I see it as a growing tree and feel a sense of liveliness. However, I see it as a dying tree when I am in a bad mood. In conclusion, the emotional state affect how people feel about artwork.

Before my visit to the International Center of Photography, I disliked black-and-white photographs. Since photographs were records of life, which was interesting, exciting, and full of variety, they ought to be colorful to reflect the nature of life. I also thought the black-and-white photographs were not powerful because of the lack of variety of colors. When I arrived in the International Center of Photography and learned the exhibitions mostly consisted of black-and-white photographs, I was disappointed. However, I was pleased by the photographs that depicted the varied aspects of the Spanish Civil War and showed people’s genuine feelings, and my personal view of black-and-white photographs changed after I saw the exhibition, “This Is War! Robert Capa at Work.”

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We are most likely to associate subway stations of Manhattan with stifling heat and disgusting stench.  Personally, I dislike the subway stations of Manhattan because of the unbearable heat, especially in the summer.  Recently, at Union Square Subway Station, I was in a hurry and saw a quite unexpected display: a light blue underwater-like picture was projected on the wall, approximately one foot in length and width.  When I looked at it the first time, I thought to myself, “It is weird to put up such a display at subway station; and no one really stop by and appreciate it.”  The second time I slowed down my pace and looked at it again.  The wavy shapes and ocean-blue colors reminded me of the ocean and breeze and relaxed me a bit.  From then on I have felt the relaxation when I walk by and look at it.  It is a piece of artwork to me because it relaxes me by creating a peaceful and pleasant scene of nature. 

Long before I actually visited the Guggenheim Museum, I had learned about its distinct architectural design. Unfortunately, I visited the Museum when the exterior was under restoration and covered by the scaffolding. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t have the entire view of the building, but the cylindrical shape was still discernable. Its rotunda structure stood out from the surrounding boxy buildings. Inside the Museum, I was impressed by the unique interior design, and was amazed as well as perplexed by the abstract paintings.

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It is worthwhile to spend time at the Paley Museum because visitors could experience how American culture has changed over the last four decades. Those television shows and programs and radio programs mirror the culture of a specific period of time.

The Paley Center for Media, formerly known as the Museum of Television & Radio, is located at 25 West 52nd Street. The interior design is spanking new.  It has a main theater and a couple of screening rooms.  Although the theater and screening rooms are spacious and comfortable, but I prefer to sit at the individual console in which I could select and watch the television shows.  The museum has a wide-ranging collection of television programs and radio programs.  According to the docent, the library has over 100,000 television shows and commercials and radio programs.   Those programs are deemed as artistic work that should be preserved. Some of television program date back to 1948 and some of radio programs date back to the 1920s. It is quite worthwhile to spend time at this museum.