2010 ING New York City Marathon

Chilean miner Edison Pena (white and red tank top) who was trapped underground for more than two months in Chile crossed the finish line today. An avid runner, he jogged several miles everyday through the tunnels during the two month period he was trapped underground.

Water station on First Avenue

Marathon spectators at the foot of Queensborough Bridge on First Avenue

Marathon spectators in Central Park near the finish line

Inspiration video from the ING NYC Marathon website

Time lapse video from the MTA

Today is the ING New York City Marathon, the biggest event organized by the New York Road Runners, drawing more than 100,000 applicants annually, including many world-class professional athletes. The course of this annual 26.2 mile-marathon runs through all the five boroughs of Manhattan. The course begins on Staten Island, and winds through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, returning to Manhattan. The finish line is in Central Park. These images were taken near the finish line and on First Avenue. 

New York Road Runners is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running, enhancing health and fitness, and responding to community needs. The first marathon was held in 1970.

Yoshitomo Nara "Nobody's Fool" Exhibit At The ASIA SOCIETY Museum

The Asia Society on Park Avenue with Yoshitomo Nara's sculpture, "White Ghost" 

video from the Asia Society

Yoshitomo Nara: Nobody's Fool is an ongoing exhibit at the Asia Society Museum, which is located on Park Avenue and 70th Street. Nara is a Japanese artist (born 1959) who is well known for his depiction of children and animals that are associated with pop culture, particularly manga comics and animation. His work is characterized by depiction of feelings of helplessness and rage, and a sense of isolation. The exhibit runs through January 2, 2011. In conjunction with the exhibit at Asia Society, Nara's huge sculptures called "White Ghost" are also installed in two locations on Park Avenue, one in front of the Asia Society, and another one near the Park Avenue Armory. Click here for my previous post on the "White Ghost" installation. 

The Asia Society is the leading museum in presenting contemporary Asian and Asian-American art. It was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller III to increase understanding between Americans and Asians through art exhibits, lectures, films, performances, and international conferences.

Eat/Drink/Explore Malaysia Kitchen - Food And Culture Event At Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall

Cooking demonstration

Venue of the Malaysian food event, Vanderbilt Hall under a canopy of decorative kites - a symbol of Malaysia

Commuters and visitors savor a variety of representative Malaysian delicacies and beverages.

The Malaysia Kitchen Food Truck stationed on Vanderbilt Avenue

Malaysia Kitchen For The World, in association with Asian lifestyle brand, LuckyRice hosts a food and culture event called "Eat | Drink | Explore Malaysia Kitchen"at Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall today and tomorrow. The event aims to introduce consumers to Malaysian cuisine. The event features local restaurants and vendors selling Malaysian and Malaysian-inspired dishes and products, free cooking demonstrations, unique Malaysian dance troupe performances, as well as the Malaysian Kitchen Food Truck serving free food samples from New Haven restaurant. 

The event hours are:

Friday, November 5

Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Dinner 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Saturday, November 6

Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Dinner 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm

BALLOON FLOWER (Blue) by JEFF KOONS For Auction At Christie's Nov. 10 Post-War And Contemporary Evening Sale

On display outside Christie's at Rockefeller Center is one of five unique versions of sculptor JEFF KOONS' "Baloon Flower (Blue)." Executed in 1995-2000, the piece is made of high chromium stainless steel with transparent color coating, 133 1/4 x 112 1/4 x 103 3/8 inches. I made these images last night. The estimated value of this piece is $12,000,000-16,000,000. The sculpture will be auctioned on November 10, and its performance that evening will be closely watched as a gauge of the uppermost echelon of today's art market. In November 2007, Jeff Koons's "Hanging Heart (Magenta/Gold)" sold for $23.6 million at Sotheby's New York, setting a world auction record for a work by a living artist. In June 2008, Balloon Flower (Magenta)," surpassed that price, fetching $25.7 million in a Christie's showroom.

Jeff Koons (born January 21, 1955) is an American artist known for his reproductions of banal objects—such as balloon animals and flower produced in stainless steel with mirror finish surfaces. Balloon Flower (Red) is installed at 7 World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan.

La Nuit du Gâteau - La Maison du Chocolat Celebrates Its 20th Year In New York

A long line of visitors outside the chocolate boutique in Rockefeller Center

La Maison du Chocolat hosted "La Nuit du Gâteau", complimentary tasting of pastry, sTARTElette (chocolate and a sablé biscuit), tarts, chocolate mousse, macarons, and éclair at its 3 stores in Manhattan tonight. The free tasting was offered to mark the 20th year since La Maison du Chocolat set up shop in New York City. Stores are located at 30 Rockefeller Center, 63 Wall Street, and 1018 Madison Avenue.

Hats Off To Broadway

Julie's hat from "Show Boat"

Dancer's hat from "A Chorus Line"

Eliza's hat from "My Fair Lady"

Tevye's hat from "Fiddler On The Roof"

Elphaba's hat from "Wicked"

Dolly's hat from "Hello Dolly"

The Phantom's hat and mask from "Phantom of the Opera"

Dancer's hat from "Chicago"

Hats from beloved Broadway musicals are on display at the Times Square Visitor Center, housed in the beautifully-restored landmark Embassy Movie Theatre on 7th Avenue, between 46th and 47th Streets. The Times Square Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 8pm.