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Arts and Culture

Modern Art Monday Presents: Hank Willis Thomas, Liberty

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Liberty
Liberty (2015): Fiberglass with Chameleon Auto Paint Finish (Photo By Gail)

In Liberty, Hank Willis Thomas renders a two-dimensional image as a three dimensional sculpture — modeled after an original photograph that appeared in Life Magazine in 1986, which featured a Harlem Globetrotter in front of the Statue of Liberty, spinning a basketball on his finger. Interested in popular culture, photographic history and sports as a metaphor for individual and collective struggle, Thomas created a life-size sculpture of the moment by casting the arm of retired NBA All-Star, Juwan Howard.

Liberty is part of Thomas’s Punctum series, which draws inspiration from the French philosopher Roland Barthes’s idea of the punctum: that “element which rises from the [photographic] scene, shoots out of it like an arrow, and pierces,” Using this concept as his foundation, Thomas selects a specific area of an image and re-presents it as Sculpture. Through cropping and isolation, he encourages us to contemplate framing itself: what is left in or out of a photographs, narrative, or an account of a historical event, and why?

Photographed in the Brooklyn Museum.

 

Arts and Culture

Statue of Liberty Replica in Brooklyn Museum Parking Lot

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Statue of Liberty Replica
All Photos by Gail

All of the Artworks in collection of the Brooklyn Museum aren’t necessarily inside the museum. For example, if you head outside and around the back of the building, you won’t be able to miss this replica of the Statue of Liberty, which has found a home in the Parking Lot that separates the Museum from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I saw it for the first time on my most recent visit in mid-August, 2015. Surprise!
Continue reading Statue of Liberty Replica in Brooklyn Museum Parking Lot →

Arts and Culture

Dougherty Gallery at LIC’s Crescent Grill

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Art By Robert Lobe
Currently on Exhibit: Surface Tension, a Solo Exhibition by Robert Lobe (All Photos By Gail)

In the heart of the booming Dutch Kills section of Long Island City, Crescent Grill is a modern American restaurant that’s been open for just over a year. The restaurant is already a local favorite and a destination for visitors to the Long Island City scene, and after just one visit you will know why. Located where a longtime industrial supply house once flourished, the fully restructured and renovated 100-seat space is a family enterprise with a total commitment to Long Island City. We dined there this past Friday evening (note: totally worth the trek from Manhattan) and both the food and service were just outstanding.

And what’s extra cool about Crescent Grill is that the front part of the space is home to the tiny Dougherty Gallery (named for owners and brothers, Daniel and Shaun Dougherty) which showcases work by local artists. Here are a few photos from the current exhibit, which features colorful and contemporary collage work by Robert Lobe.

Art By Robert Lobe

Art By Robert Lobe

Art By Robert Lobe

Art By Robert Lobe

As far as I know, all of the above works are for sale. Inquire about purchase and pricing at the restaurant.

Craig Alan Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty by Craig Alan

In addition to the exhibited work the gallery, the restaurant is a showcase in itself for custom fixtures and work from the personal collections of the Dougherty brothers. The painting above hangs near the bar.

Cresent Grill Custom Light Fixture

This gorgeous custom light fixture, made from reclaimed vintage glass shades, hangs in the dining room.

City Scape

A large scale photograph of the Long Island City Skyline is one of several compelling original works that add atmosphere to the main dining space, Daniel Dougherty told us that smaller prints of this photo are available for purchase through the restaurant. We will definitely be returning, not only to check out the new art exhibits, but also for the delicious food!

The Dougherty Gallery at Crescent Grill is located at 38-40 Crescent Street at 39th Avenue, LIC Queens, NY 11101. Phone 718-729-4040 or Visit Crescent Grill Dot Com for more information or to make a Reservation.

Arts and Culture

Nathan Sawaya’s The Art of the Brick Comes to Discovery Center Times Square

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Nathan Working In Studio2
Nathan Sawaya (Photo By Erica Ann, Image Courtesy of Nathan Sawaya, All Other Photos By Gail Except Where Noted)

In the span of three short years, Lawyer-turned-LEGO® Brick artist Nathan Sawaya has gone from having New York’s first solo exhibition comprised entirely of LEGO bricks to unveiling the world’s biggest and most elaborate display of LEGO art, ever. You can see Sawaya’s massive and mind blowing exhibit, The Art of The Brick, now through January 5th, 2014 at the Discovery Center Museum in Times Square. Continue reading Nathan Sawaya’s The Art of the Brick Comes to Discovery Center Times Square →

Arts and Culture

Peter Max Paints Hull of Norweigan Cruise Line’s Breakaway

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Norwegian Breakaway By Peter Max

Norwegian Cruise Line has just revealed the Norwegian Breakaway’s signature hull artwork designed by pop icon and America’s most popular living artist, Peter Max. This is the first time Norwegian has commissioned a well-known artist to paint the hull artwork on one of its ships. Launching in April 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest ship to homeport in New York City year-round. Max’s signature artwork will cover approximately 40,000 square feet of Norwegian Breakaway’s hull. Read more about the Breakaway, Peter Max and Norwegian Cruise Line at This Link!