Time Travel: NYC Style

The New Museum in NYC is hosting a new exhibit titled: NYC 1993: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star which runs until May 26, 2013. One aspect of the exhibit includes the 5000 remaining pay phones in NYC. By dialing 1-855-FOR-1993 on one of these pay phones a "notable" resident will recount what life on that specific block was like in 1993.

Photo via The Washington Post. Credit: Mary Altaffer.
A pedestrian walks past a pay phone advertising the new exhibit: NYC 1993: Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star.

A variety of artists, writers, food, and fashion stars answer the phone and in a pre-recorded monologue discuss the life of NYC 20 years earlier.

1993 was a turning point in the history of NYC. According to an article on The Washington Post which dissected the exhibit, "...New York that was dirtier, bloodier, raunchier and less gentrified than today — but also an easier place for a talented young person to gain a foothold.

(Mario) Batali says in his sound bite that opening a restaurant was easier in 1993 when he debuted his first restaurant, Po. “You didn’t have to have a rich daddy or an investor or put together a team or anything like that,” he says.

Sounds like a great show! And I especially love the use of the now almost completely defunct pay phones still dotting the US. 

- Grace

Erin Lynn Welsh

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“What makes you think I enjoy being led to the flood” 36x36in. Oil on Canvas 2010

A couple of weeks ago, I was inadvertently introduced (through a Facebook friend) to a new-to-me artist: Erin Lynn Welsh. She’s a painter and photographer living in NYC and her work is gorgeous.

“Dale’s yard in New Mexico” 2009 Mixed Media (Acrylic and Oil paint) 54x54in.

I was immediately drawn to her style, which, to me, echoes some of my favorite artists such as Georgia O’Keefe and Anselm Kiefer. I spent the rest of the afternoon looking at as much of her work as I could find online.

“Elodie” 2007 Mixed Media (Oil and thread work) 36x48in.

Many of her works are large so I can only imagine how powerful they are in person. I can’t imagine that my little house could handle all the beauty of one her paintings. But that won’t stop me from dreaming!

“Untitled 2” 2008 Mixed Media (Oil and thread work) 36x52in.

I’ll leave you with a couple images to get your Friday started off on an inspiring note. If you need me, I’ll be counting my pennies and calculating exactly how long it will be before I can own one myself. If you're interested in seeing more of Erin's work, check out her blog or her gallery at Uprise Art.  

“Thunder” (Redone) 68x68in. Oil on canvas, 2012

“High tide” 2010 54x54in Mixed Media (oil and acrylic on canvas)

Happy Weekend!

-Alissa