Sparked » Culture

Alec Soth Broken Manual

Geoffry — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:09:40 +0000

Alec Soth Broken Manual at Sean Kelly Gallery on view from February 3 - March 11, 2012.

Photographer Alec Soth seemingly runs away photo documenting his series Broken Manual on view at the Sean Kelly Gallery. Originally created over a four year period from 2006-2010 in the secretive American southern landscape, Soth traveled the isolated back roads. With a Diane Arbus like curiosity, Soth engages and photographs the men who become his narrative.

The series touches upon our human nature to escape and the fantasy of retreat. The images also depicts fascinating make shift homes in caves and camps becoming almost modernistic dwellings. But most meaningful in the essay is Soth’s lens that introduce these compelling disaffected faces.

Accompanying the installation is the full-length documentary Somewhere to Disappear. Filmmakers, Laure Flammarion & Arnaud Uyttenhove give voice to Soth’s journey with his subjects who have alienated themselves from society and civilization.

Alec Soth Broken Manual at Sean Kelly Gallery on view from February 3 - March 11, 2012.

The WTC 9/11 Memorial

Geoffry — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:02:21 +0000

Names of the 9/11 heroes are etched into the north and south pool memorials. Photo: Sparked

Visitng the 9/11 Memorial Preview site in NYC’s busy financial district becomes a rare moment of tranquility remembering a tragic day in modern American history. The loss of life from the September 11, 2001 attacks are felt all around the memorial echoing the names of the victims and heroes.

Designed by Israeli-American architect, Michael Arad, the park’s north and south side reflective pools take the place where the twin towers once stood. Etched in bronze panels framing the waterfalls are the names of individuals, squads and battalions that stretch the entire metallic surface.

The 9/11 Memorial, still in preview, is free and open to the public by pre-ordering tickets from the 9/11 Memorial website.

Family and friends gather to remember a loved one that was lost to the 9/11 attacks. Photo: Sparked

Visitors gather to learn about the history of the 9/11 Memorial now open to the public. Photo: Sparked

International visitors take a moment to reflect at the memorial's commemorative pools. Photo: Sparked

Names of the 9/11 heroes are etched into the north and south pool memorials. Photo: Sparked

The 9/11 Memorial designed by Isreali-American architect Michael Arad in front of the 9/11 Memorial Atrium Museum. Photo: Sparked

The nearly completed World Trade Center in the center of NYC financial district. Photo: Sparked

Auld Lang Syne for 2012

Geoffry — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:54:52 +0000

Brooklynites gather at Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope to ring in 2012, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

2011 will not be forgotten welcoming 2012 and Brooklynites celebrated at Grand Army Plaza. Surprisingly as NYC’s most populous borough, a Brooklyn gathering projects a small town feel. These are some shots from last night’s community fete. Happy New Year!

Brooklynites gather at Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope to ring in 2012, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

Wishing You Merry Holidays 2011!

Geoffry — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 16:51:23 +0000

Christmas morning 2011, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

We’re an interfaith household observing both Christmas and Hanukkah this holiday season. In the morning light we celebrated Christmas with taking pictures of the Victorian inspired miniature tree that my partner Chris decorated. You may recognize the accessories from our Fashion Model Drawing Meetup with the scarves, feathers and ribbons performing double duty as the ornaments.

And we’re getting a head start on the 6th day of Hanukkah using the menorah that Chris brought home from a neighbor when we first moved to Brooklyn. We wish you a wonderful holiday with friends and family!

The sixth day of Hanukkah 2011, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

A New York City Tornado

Geoffry — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:02:35 +0000

NYC public art "Tornado" by Berlin based artist Michael Sailstorfer made from inflated truck tire inner tubes exhibited at the entrance of Central Park.

Tornado by Berlin based artist Michael Sailstorfer may not have been what Central Park landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted had in mind, but the striking kinetic sculpture dramatically stands tall among the 30 ft tall trees.

The industrial form made from inflated truck tire inner tubes will be on view until February 2012 made possible by the Public Art Fund. The tubes, twisted and interlaced almost producing a knitted effect zig zags down its shaft creating a gestural line. Contrasting the French Renaissance style Plaza Hotel across Grand Army Plaza, Sailstorfer’s bold cloud-like form brings a little whimsy to the tony neighborhood.

NYC public art "Tornado" by Berlin based artist Michael Sailstorfer made from inflated truck tire inner tubes exhibited at the entrance of Central Park.

Tickle Your Fancy For 2012!

Geoffry — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:51:41 +0000

Tickle Your Fancy by John Gordon Gauld presented by Salomon Contemporary in NYC.

What is your facial style? The post pubescent phenom sprouting the first few whiskers for boys to men in some cultures a rite of passage but is now style de rigueur.

For the holiday season in the spirit of Saint Nick or if you follow Orthodox rapper Matisyahu (actually Matisyahu made news shaving off his signature beard to show his awaking from didactic religious obedience), Salomon Contemporary presented “Tickle Your Fancy” a portraiture of men’s love affair with their masculine nature by artist John Gordon Gauld this week in NYC.

Originally commissioned by the Bergdorf Goodman men’s store, Gauld’s fanciful watercolors surveys from the grizzly to the debonaire, the decorative upper lips and chins pruned, sculpted and trimmed throughout the decades.

Tickle Your Fancy by John Gordon Gauld presented by Salomon Contemporary in NYC.

Bergdorf’s 2011 Carnival of Animals at Play!

Geoffry — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:39:50 +0000

Bergdorf Goodman The Carnival of the Animals 2011 holiday window display, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

The animal kingdom has come out to play in their celebratory finery. Bergdorf Goodman’s visual team headed by David Hoey, imagined the fantastical cacophony from childhood memorabilia that bursts with regalia from the retailer’s 5th Avenue windows.

Attracting late night holiday admirers with shopping bags in hand or partiers on route, these nostalgic scenes captured the emotion and artistry for this holiday season.

Bergdorf Goodman The Carnival of the Animals 2011 holiday window display, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

Pre-Holiday NYC Illumination

Geoffry — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:22:33 +0000

Brooklyn's Park Slope illuminated row houses, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

As the days become shorter, and now even colder, the holiday illumination begins to glow. Adding just enough holiday sparkle, I’ve posted a few glittering NYC examples. Enjoy your pre-holiday festivities.

Rockefeller Center annual Christmas Tree presentation, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

Glittering lights on Lafayette Street, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

Bright Lights Big City! High Line Park

Geoffry — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:29:16 +0000

High Line Park evening stroll, Nov, 25, 2011, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

November’s temperate weather in NYC continues for the biggest shopping weekend of the year. Escaping the gregarious crowds, the High Line Park provided some refuge.

The bright lights of the big city beautifully illuminated the wheat lined pathways with the shining dotted cityscape. It’s hard to imagine just below the peaceful elevated rails, the masses on the streets carting their prized bargains.

The High Line’s enthusiasm is inspiring another city space but underground. Recently The Times reported a new project to restore a former trolley terminal under Delancey. Using fiber-optic technology to transmit natural light, cavernous tunnels would be transformed into a subterranean park! You can read the full article here.

High Line Park evening stroll, Nov, 25, 2011, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

Occupy Wall Street Goes Everywhere!

Geoffry — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:02:07 +0000

Occupy Wall Street Student Revolution at Union Square, Nov 18, 2011. Photo: Sparked.biz/Geoffry Gertz

This week brought an eviction notice to Occupy Wall Street‘s Zuccotti Park tent city. But reacting to the numbers at yesterday’s “occupation everywhere” rallies the occupier’s demonstration transcends the original cement block in the middle of the financial district to a bona fide global movement.

In NYC, a Union Square mobilization brought student participation to Thursday afternoon’s protest against the rising cost of school tuition, lack of funding and predatory student loans. Attracting an all ages group and families, the occupiers have marshalled their message of the 1% profiting from the 99% to the social conscientiousness.

Finishing the day into the evening, the multi borough rallies converged at downtown’s Foley Square bringing messages and endorsements from labor unions such as the CUNY schools and the UAW among others. The ‘peoples mic’ providing a platform for affirmations became electrified with a sound system that echoed throughout the 30,000+ crowd. Occupiers, making their way to the symbolic Brooklyn Bridge march chanting “We are unstoppable another world is possible” just might provide the “hope and change”, for the next election.

Occupy Wall Street Student Revolution at Union Square, Nov 18, 2011. Photo: Sparked.biz/Geoffry Gertz

Occupy Wall Street Foley Square Rally, Nov 18, 2011. Photo: Sparked.biz/Geoffry Gertz

Occupy Wall Street Foley Square Rally Nov 18, 2011. Photo: Sparked.biz/Geoffry Gertz