Segue into the interior main lobby of the Rockefeller Center. Mural by Mexican Artist Jose Maria Sert called “Time” (Ceiling) and “American Progress” (Wall); commissioned in 1932.
Random Pictures Thread
- Thread starter ripjack13
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Boy, I'm glad I never look up when I enter a large building.
.......... Nubs
That is just plain spooky!
Boy, I'm glad I never look up when I enter a large building.
You are all entitled to your opinions as art is very subjective. The whole lobby denotes a pictorial narrative that actually meanders into other sections of the building. It was to signify, progress, rebuilding America and the “men who helped built-it”. Look closely, not above the ceiling, but in the wall you will see a fellow recognizable with a top hat. During the Art Deco period, there are many murals here in NYC that depicts similar theme. It captures a specific time, period and a style.
I see tons of symbolism from another era. Pretty dramatic actually. Chuck
Here is another grand lobby mural (“Destiny, the Great Caretaker“; mystery Artist), however we move from midtown to lower Manhattan Financial district. This is one of “Old New York’s” hidden gem. It is a “historic landmark” skyscraper in the art deco style that has similar attributes to the Empire State Building. This is a sneak peek and will do a whole pictorial as it is a fascinating building true to the style of the Art Deco period……….20 Exchange Place, built in 1931. “Designed by Cross & Cross in the Art Deco style as the headquarters of the City Bank–Farmers Trust Company, predecessor of Citigroup. The building, standing at approximately 741 feet (226 m) with 57 usable stories, was one of the city's tallest buildings and the world's tallest stone-clad building at the time of its completion. While 20 Exchange Place was intended to be the world's tallest building at the time of its construction, the Great Depression resulted in the current scaled-back plan”……..
This was originally a bank (trails of it still there because it is landmarked) and has taken a new lease on life- it is now one of the coolest coffee houses to enjoy a cup of Joe.
This was originally a bank (trails of it still there because it is landmarked) and has taken a new lease on life- it is now one of the coolest coffee houses to enjoy a cup of Joe.
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There was a controversy of the previous commissioned mural prior to this. Original commissioned artist was Diego Rivera in 1932 and was chiseled off in 1934- political and artistic difference of what he showed in sketch form to the Rockefeller’s to the actual mural he created. They wanted Lenin off the photo. So in 1934 the mural and artist I posted in post # 2, 141 replaced the original mural painting below:
The original mural sketch looked like this:
What he painted:
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Cool little historical tidbit for those homes. Thanks
That last painting reminds me of the Santana "Abraxas" cover.
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Artistically IMHO is “ingenious”- he used what was there and used it to his advantage. The existing columns he used to be part of this narrative and a symbolism of progress in unison of following the path with hardship to get there by the gesture of “making big strides”. He also created this sort of “oculus” shaped by wind forces spiraling upwards to the sky with planes denoting military strength, courage that anything and everything is possible when we are united in the background and foreground, that the “sky is the limit”. During this period, we were in a funk so these types of art and if it has political connotations, was suppose to uplift the masses by reflecting what we have already achieved and what we can still do and will do.
I don’t want to be political, but I wish this “idea” resonated with us today, but the recent outcome has divided the country in half. History repeats itself, so a mural is needed and should be taking shape….….among other things……..and no, what state makes the best brisket will not help us……..it might feed us.
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Here is one you should all be familiar with. This would be that skyscraper to see if you ant to see 360° of the whole city, which is breathtaking. Another art deco period sky scraper in midtown. Main entrance is on 5th Avenue between 34th and 33rd street. You all have seen these from movies, postcards or advertisements from a far, but not up and close and what is inside the lobby. This is part 1 of 2:
Part 2 of 2:
woodtickgreg
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I've been in it. And the twin towers before 9/11
Where's the big monkey?
had a run in with Gawdzilla or had a fall and the blonde maiden was 
broken…….but every X-mas, “Elf” does a twirl around the revolving door…….
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Let’s have a little fun. I just recently seen 2 variation’s of these. Don’t know if this was coincidental, but 2 different materials were used as a medium, but the foot prints are similar in shape. I took note of the one artist, but did not on the second one as they were closing (new exhibit). They are in two different museums- the wood log exhibit is at The Whitney and the metal strands is at the MoMA. There is a security person that peruse this exhibit like a shark……….
We doing it all wrong here at this forum- art can be anything (lol) and those material exist in your back yard or in your shop or in your garbage. You just have to convince people to buy into your art form or someone at the higher up to connect to your art and see what people see and don’t see (invisible) and that you have something unique in your work that separates what you have to say and show.
Discuss……
We doing it all wrong here at this forum- art can be anything (lol) and those material exist in your back yard or in your shop or in your garbage. You just have to convince people to buy into your art form or someone at the higher up to connect to your art and see what people see and don’t see (invisible) and that you have something unique in your work that separates what you have to say and show.
Discuss……
I'm dangerous to comment much about this - I'm not welcome in most art studies courses!
A handful of decades ago (+ or -) someone, somehow changed the definition of art. In a nutshell, it went to something like this - "art is supposed to move you". I say ok, but think a little deeper! BM's move me also - are they great art?
A handful of decades ago (+ or -) someone, somehow changed the definition of art. In a nutshell, it went to something like this - "art is supposed to move you". I say ok, but think a little deeper! BM's move me also - are they great art?
I'm pretty sure that's already been done - but maybe it's time for a reprise!
The first is an example of the "Emperor's New Clothes" and I am continually amazed at the things that masses of "lemmings" fall for. Without getting too political, it is very similar to cancel culture and everyone is afraid to say what they really think for fear of being scorned, or being excluded from the " cool club".
The second shows artistic skill and thought, and gets bonus points for working with cable which is a major PITA. I don't necessarily like the arrangement on the floor, I think there are many more ways to artistically design an installment rather than placing them randomly on the floor. I can theorize the artists reasons for a low level arrangement, but believe it could be more impactful given a little more thought and effort.
Of course, I'm just a naive guy full of Midwestern sensibilities, so what do I know?
The second shows artistic skill and thought, and gets bonus points for working with cable which is a major PITA. I don't necessarily like the arrangement on the floor, I think there are many more ways to artistically design an installment rather than placing them randomly on the floor. I can theorize the artists reasons for a low level arrangement, but believe it could be more impactful given a little more thought and effort.
Of course, I'm just a naive guy full of Midwestern sensibilities, so what do I know?
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I kind of thought that the exhibit format and installation was a failure- I won’t talk about the actual pieces itself. But, it is conveying the same message as the art piece that having it sit on plank floors was equally the same as what has been shown. Come on man, put some Astroturf down at least for the logs or someone do a cast of fake river that these would sit on top off. The metal strands at least throw some hay down or shake the masses and put down a Himalayan rug out of silk that is white on white! Yes I am being a $m@rt@$$. Some say art is not suppose to agree with the masses and that you go the opposite way and if the masses agree, then your art really is not trying hard enough to divide the masses.
But recently I have seen things left me underwhelmed and concern where the level of artistry is going. I have not seen anything clever or employed a new technique or made you smile or cry or angry. The music that are playing now is at the same level.
But recently I have seen things left me underwhelmed and concern where the level of artistry is going. I have not seen anything clever or employed a new technique or made you smile or cry or angry. The music that are playing now is at the same level.