Around the beginning of the last century—in 1906, to be exact—the 4’11” Ota Benga was featured in an infamous human exhibit at the Bronx Zoo’s Monkey House. Ota Benga, a Mbuti (Congolese pygmy) man from what was then known as the Congo Free State, stayed at the zoo for just a few months until the public outcry over his treatment at the zoo resulted in another home for him. However, Benga’s short life was marked with tragedy.
Knockdown Center is an immersive gallery and contemporary performance space in Maspeth, Queens, known for showcasing innovative and challenging formats of art and visual media. The building itself, named for the Knock-Down door frame that was invented at the site in 1956, has witnessed a tremendous degree of transformation in its more than 100 years of functional existence. So, too, has the audience of revelers who wander the expansive halls, emerging renewed and recharged as a result of any one of the transfixing exhibits that take place.
The world changed on August 14, 1945. World War II was finally over after six long years. Photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt was in New York City, where citizens and soldiers alike were buzzing with excitement and celebration about the end of the war. As he snapped photos of revelers in Times Square, he captured what would become one of the most iconic images of modern art.
Catherine Ovejas and her boyfriend, Jose Rivera, were looking for a business opportunity that was different from the usual restaurant, bar, or retail scene. As a marketing director, Ovejas understands the importance of the human connection, so she set out to build an experience-based business. The result is Apt84 – a remodeled, repainted, repurposed school bus that serves as a tiny mobile house for parties, reunions, and weekend road trippers in New York.
The streets of New York City are full of surprises, but none quite as beautiful as the latest project from Lewis Miller Design. Through the city-wide project “Flower Flashes,” the LMD crew turns ordinary objects like trash cans and phone booths into breathtaking bouquets.
Since the 1930s, drive-in movie theaters have been part of the American cultural landscape. Today, there are about 350 drive-ins across the country – a paltry number compared to the 4,000 that once were. These top ten drive-in movie theaters are must-visit attractions for film buffs and anyone who likes to have some good old-fashioned fun, with all of today’s modern comforts.
Designed by the theater scenographer Jan Versweyveld to focus on camp’s exuberant aesthetic, The Costume Institute’s new exhibition, “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” will be on view from May 9 through September 8, 2019, at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 999.
With thousands of Airbnb spots available across all five New York City boroughs, visitors to the Big Apple may be overwhelmed by their choices for a short-term vacation rental. Should they follow the typical tourist trail and stay in Times Square? Maybe not. Should they try to find a unique apartment in the coolest part of town? Yes, of course.
Anyone who grew up playing with LEGOs knows there is something quite satisfying about assembling the small colorful blocks to build a castle, car, spaceship, landmark or other magical creation. LEGO buffs also know what a treat it was to graduate from regular blocks to special building sets, which allowed them to construct near-exact replicas of their favorite characters and scenes.
There’s no shortage of things to do in New York City. The “City that Never Sleeps” is a world-class destination for anyone who loves art, theater, music, fine dining, charming neighborhoods, shopping and historic sights – essentially everyone.
