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| Building Tops in the Financial District of New York City |
Having lived my formative early twenties in
New York, the Big Apple holds a particularly warm spot in my heart. The minute I step out of
Grand Central Station I immediately sense the pulse and smell the ambition. I've returned a few times since moving to Toronto in 1998, but this time was different. I explored areas I had never been before. I met up with old friends I hadn't seen in years thanks to the magical
Facebook, and I found inspiration around every corner. I also had the opportunity to visit a secret vintage warehouse to source some of the most unbelievably unique beads I have ever encountered - but that part must remain a secret until the "big reveal" of my new work.
Visiting New York is a different experience from living there. I appreciate the architecture a lot more. I "look up". I sit in colorful delis and watch the world go by. I openly talk to strangers. The one thing I did back then that I still do now is walk at a breakneck pace while blaring the "soundtrack to my life" in my headphones. Used to be a Sony Walkman....now it's an ipod. For your viewing pleasure, here are a few photo highlights of the trip.
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| Fulton Street Subway Station - Near the South Street Seaport, New York City |
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| Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge - view from 25th floor of 99 John Street, Manhattan |
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| Windows - Cobble Hill, Brooklyn |
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| Brownstones and tree-lined streets. Cobble Hill, Brooklyn |
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| Artist displays his work on Spring Street. Soho, New York City. |
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| Windows on Broome Street. Soho, New York City |
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| Little Italy, NYC. |
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| Village Dream on St. Marks Place - where I got my nose pierced in 1996 |
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| Churning butter on a bike - Union Square Farmer's market |
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| Tiled art on the walls of the Essex Street Subway station |
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| Outdoor Food Court - Financial District NYC |
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| Former police headquarters (transformed into apartments). Lower Manhattan. |
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| Glimpse of a chandelier inside the old police station |
The highlight of the trip was a reunion with a few of my former
NYU/ Tisch buddies. Here we are at
O'Flaherty's on 46th - the evening before my departure:
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| NYU buddies: Mark Malkoff, Lara Bazant, Ethan Aranoff, Holly Buczek, Bellavia Mauro, Marcy Girt, Howard Emmanuel |
And of course I had to visit my old place of employment -
Times Square (cue music from The Lion King)
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| Lara Bazant in Times Square New York City |
Alas, after three days of go-go-go it was time to pack up and return to Toronto. While flying via
Porter Airlines, I encountered a breathtaking aerial view of
Niagara Falls, and upon sunset was once again greeted by the
CN tower. As much as I love New York, it's always good to come home.
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| Aerial view of Niagara Falls |
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| View of Toronto skyline from island airport |
