Eyewear Restrospective Exhibition at Grand Central Teminal's Vanderbilt Hall

Flower sunglasses, metal, 1960s

Left: Glasses formerly owned by SIR ELTON JOHN, metal, 1970-1980; Right Pink glasses formerly owned by WALLIS SIMPSON, 1970s

A dynamic retrospective eyewear exhibition opened yesterday at Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall. The exhibit is entitled "Eyewear From the Beginning to the Future: The History of Eyeglasses from their Invention in Italy to the Latest Trends." The exhibit showcases the fascinating history of eyewear and highlights the quality, craftsmanship and innovative design of Italian-made products. It covers the evolution of eyeglasses from their Italian origins in the 13th century to the contemporary trends of 2010 Spring/Summer fashion season as defined by some Italian companies. The installation refashions the traditional glass display case, acting as a "metaphor for both modern eyewear and the subways, roads, paths and histories that fracture, connect and reveal the spaces we inhabit." The exhibit, which runs through March 24, is presented by the Italian Trade Commission and Italian Optical Goods Manufacturer's Association. 

AM2 Bicycle by Alex Moulton

The AM2 Bicycle, designed by Alex Moulton (British, born 1920) in 1983 is part of the Department of Architecture and Design collection of the Museum of Modern Art. It is made of painted steel tubing, metal, leather, plastic and rubber (101.6 x 48.3 x 152.4 cm). The bicycle is currently on view at the MOMA's Second Floor. Moulton bicycles are noted for unconventional frame design, small wheels and front and rear suspension.

The Other CHARGING BULL

In front of 55 Wall Street is this CHARGING BULL sculpture by ARTURO DI MODICA. Not as famous as the bronze sculpture in Bowling Green Park (called the Wall Street Bull or Bowling Green Bull), the silver sculpture was photographed in front of 55 Wall Street, the building erected in 1836 as the City National Bank. In 1998, the building was converted to The Regent Wall Street Hotel which closed in 2003 due to lack of business after the September 11 attacks. The building has now been converted to condominiums by the Cipriani Group.
The Charging Bull is an unofficial symbol of the Financial District, representing optimism. Di Modica created the sculpture after the stock market crash of 1987 as a symbol of the "strength, power and hope of the American people for the future."

Wishing Wall for 2011 Times Square New Year's Eve Confetti

"Hopes and Dreams" is the New Year's Eve Wishing Wall at the TIMES SQUARE INFORMATION CENTER located at the beautifully restored landmark Embassy Movie Theatre. Visitors can write down their personal goals, dreams and wishes on a piece of confetti. The wishes on colored paper will be collected at the end of the year, and added to the confetti that will flutter down onto the streets of Times Square at the 12 o’clock hour on New Year’s Eve, after the ball drop. The Information Center is located on 7th Avenue, between 46th and 47th Streets, and is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM.

Marina Abramovic's THE ARTIST IS PRESENT: Performance Art at the Museum of Modern Art

The performance art exhibition by MARINA ABRAMOVIC (Yugoslav, born 1946) opened today at the Museum of Modern Art. The performance retrospective traces the prolific career of Ms. Abramović featuring works spanning over 4 decades of sound pieces, video works, installations, photographs, solo and collaborative performances. Today, the artist performed in the Marron Atrium by sitting in silence at a table during public hours, passively inviting visitors to take the seat across from her for as long as they choose within the timeframe of the Museum's hours of operation. Although she will not respond, participation by Museum visitors completes the piece and allows them to have a personal experience with the artist and the artwork. Internationally recognized as a pioneer and key figure in performance art, Ms. Abramović uses her own body as subject, object, and medium, exploring the physical and mental limits of her being.

Trinity Church, View From Wall Street

Located in Lower Manhattan, at the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street, TRINITY CHURCH was designed by architect RICHARD UPJOHN in Neo-Gothic style. The church was consecrated in 1697 with a grant from King William III of England. The photos above were taken from Wall Street.
From nyc-architecture.com
Prominently located at the terminus of Wall Street on land granted to the congregation by the British crown, this Anglican church has served as an urban landmark since the 19th century. The third church to stand on this site, the current Trinity Church was built by an English cabinet maker who immigrated to the United States and became a leader of the American Gothic Revival. The basilica plan church is built in the English Perpendicular Gothic Style of the 14th century, signaling the arrival of Gothic Revival ideals brought from England to New York in the mid 19th century. The church's stained glass windows recall medieval models, while its ornate bronze doors echo the doors of Florence's Renaissance Baptistry. The use of brownstone signals a popular interest in locally available materials.