THE WILD WEST SIDE
Today we left Penn station and walked to Times Square, but first we passed through Herald Square Park. This park is located at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Broadway. Herald Square took its name after the New York Herald Newspaper. The area surrounding the park is considered a shopping district, in which people love to go shopping (BG p 193). When walking on the park we saw that they were having fruit and vegetables market. I was surprised to see that the prices for the vegetables and fruits were cheaper than where I live in Long Island. Anyway, we continue on our tour to Times Square. Before the 19th century Times Square was known as Longacre Square. There were many horse stables and factories. Eventually, the owner of most of the land sold lots for building hotels, and by 1904 the subway arrived to Times Square. It was obvious that this place had a great potential for commerce. Therefore, big electrical billboards were created for advertisement. In the 20s, many investors began investing in this area because they saw the potential for making millions of dollars in profit. Many theaters, shops, and restaurants were opened in Times Square (BG p 216-218).
In 1970 the Times Square area, including Broadway was a place for crime, drug dealing, and prostitution. However, close to 1990 the Times Square area began to pull up from the devastating perverted years. Several theaters had opened and attracted many residents and tourists (BG p 217/218). Also with the administration of ex-mayor Giuliani the crime and prostitution from Broadway was eliminated. Currently, Times Square is clean, safe and friendly which attracts millions of people to visit every year. We continue on our way to Rockefeller Center, but first we passed by the GE building. The GE building has an interesting design and it is kind of disproportionate in length. We observed a beautiful piece of art engraved in the wall called American Progress (BG p 248/249). The Rockefeller Center building is a commercial building that has theaters, shops and the NBC studios. Many of the famous TV shows such as SNL and the Today Show take place in this building. Next, we went to the Museum of Modern Art. This museum is one of the biggest cultural institutions of New York City. Approximately, three million people visit this museum every year. In 1929, two wealthy friends open the first MoMA. At that time, they exhibited some of the paintings of Van Gogh and Seurat. The exhibitions included paintings, sculptures, films, prints, drawings, and many more varieties of art. In 1932 the MoMA moved to the present building (BG p 260/261). One of the interesting collections that we saw was Claes Oldenburg. Oldenburg came to New York in 1956 and by 1960 he already had a collection called The Street. By 1961, he presented another collection named The Stone. His collections are very interesting and his art depicts cartoon characters, which I thought were very funny. Oldenburg is known to have a passion for painting simple objects such as hamburgers and hotdogs. Another interesting collection that we saw was the collection of Jackson Pollock. He is one of the major American painters known for his abstract drip painting (BG p 266). We learned that he probably was a psychotic and alcoholic person. After his death his works are kept in exhibition at the MoMA. In addition, another interesting painting that I loved was “The Starry Night” by Van Gogh. Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most well-known artists around the world. He was born and grew up in the country side of Holland. He belonged to a poor family, his father was a minister and Van Gogh wanted to follow his steps. However, it did not turn as he wanted and rather he was influenced by his brother to become an artist. Throughout his life he experienced hardships, which greatly influenced in his art work. Vincent Van Gogh’s main focus was to paint something after he had experienced an event, and the Starry Night was painted when he was bound in an asylum. Overall, I loved this museum. Even though the tour was short, I was so glad we visited the MoMA. Next, we went for lunch to a Thai restaurant called Yum Yum and the lunch was really yum yum!! . After lunch we went to Harlem to meet a tour guide for a tour in Harlem. Harlem is made up of mainly African -American people. It is considered the most famous city for the African-American population. In 1658, Harlem was the land of the Dutch. In the 18th and 19th century Harlem welcomed immigrants from all over the world, including Italians, Irish, Germans, Europeans and more. By the end of the Civil war the African-American moved from Lower Manhattan to Harlem. The white population opposed it, but the great black’s crowd from coming to live in Harlem, but because of the profit that the whites made out of renting to the blacks, they allowed them to live in Harlem. In the 1920s, important people such as artists and writers were becoming to be known more and more. Also in the 20s “The Harlem Renaissance” was a period in which art, music and literature become famous. For instance, Hughes, Cullen, and Johnson are some of the people that were frequently heard. Music specifically jazz and night clubs became famous too. During the 50s and 60s Harlem was involved in political issues. For instance, Malcolm X fought for the black’s civil rights, gaining federal financial help for education, housing and community services. In the 70s, Harlem’s residents suffered from great poverty; There were many abandoned buildings and delinquency in the area. However, since the 90s gentrification reached Harlem and there are many private and city investors that began developing new housing, which is attracting the white population to move in. Of course, prices in real estate properties are rapidly increasing (BG p 437-438). Some of the historical places that the tour guide mentioned were “The Theresa Hotel”, Fidel Castro stayed in this hotel during his visit to New York in 1960. Another historical place is the Apollo Theater, originally this theater was opened to whites only, but eventually this theater welcomed everyone. Currently, it is managed by the city, and important shows take place here, attracting more than a million people to visit per year (BG p 440). Some other interesting places that we visit were the Red Rooster Restaurant. We were told that in this restaurant ex-president Bill Clintons and George Bush Jr. had come to eat in this place. In addition, Sylvia Restaurant is also a famous place in Harlem. We also learned that Clinton’s office is located in 125th street; this has also helped Harlem to become a better neighborhood. Even though it was raining I enjoyed walking on the streets of Harlem, especially the brownstone houses and the style of some churches was spectacular.
In 1970 the Times Square area, including Broadway was a place for crime, drug dealing, and prostitution. However, close to 1990 the Times Square area began to pull up from the devastating perverted years. Several theaters had opened and attracted many residents and tourists (BG p 217/218). Also with the administration of ex-mayor Giuliani the crime and prostitution from Broadway was eliminated. Currently, Times Square is clean, safe and friendly which attracts millions of people to visit every year. We continue on our way to Rockefeller Center, but first we passed by the GE building. The GE building has an interesting design and it is kind of disproportionate in length. We observed a beautiful piece of art engraved in the wall called American Progress (BG p 248/249). The Rockefeller Center building is a commercial building that has theaters, shops and the NBC studios. Many of the famous TV shows such as SNL and the Today Show take place in this building. Next, we went to the Museum of Modern Art. This museum is one of the biggest cultural institutions of New York City. Approximately, three million people visit this museum every year. In 1929, two wealthy friends open the first MoMA. At that time, they exhibited some of the paintings of Van Gogh and Seurat. The exhibitions included paintings, sculptures, films, prints, drawings, and many more varieties of art. In 1932 the MoMA moved to the present building (BG p 260/261). One of the interesting collections that we saw was Claes Oldenburg. Oldenburg came to New York in 1956 and by 1960 he already had a collection called The Street. By 1961, he presented another collection named The Stone. His collections are very interesting and his art depicts cartoon characters, which I thought were very funny. Oldenburg is known to have a passion for painting simple objects such as hamburgers and hotdogs. Another interesting collection that we saw was the collection of Jackson Pollock. He is one of the major American painters known for his abstract drip painting (BG p 266). We learned that he probably was a psychotic and alcoholic person. After his death his works are kept in exhibition at the MoMA. In addition, another interesting painting that I loved was “The Starry Night” by Van Gogh. Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most well-known artists around the world. He was born and grew up in the country side of Holland. He belonged to a poor family, his father was a minister and Van Gogh wanted to follow his steps. However, it did not turn as he wanted and rather he was influenced by his brother to become an artist. Throughout his life he experienced hardships, which greatly influenced in his art work. Vincent Van Gogh’s main focus was to paint something after he had experienced an event, and the Starry Night was painted when he was bound in an asylum. Overall, I loved this museum. Even though the tour was short, I was so glad we visited the MoMA. Next, we went for lunch to a Thai restaurant called Yum Yum and the lunch was really yum yum!! . After lunch we went to Harlem to meet a tour guide for a tour in Harlem. Harlem is made up of mainly African -American people. It is considered the most famous city for the African-American population. In 1658, Harlem was the land of the Dutch. In the 18th and 19th century Harlem welcomed immigrants from all over the world, including Italians, Irish, Germans, Europeans and more. By the end of the Civil war the African-American moved from Lower Manhattan to Harlem. The white population opposed it, but the great black’s crowd from coming to live in Harlem, but because of the profit that the whites made out of renting to the blacks, they allowed them to live in Harlem. In the 1920s, important people such as artists and writers were becoming to be known more and more. Also in the 20s “The Harlem Renaissance” was a period in which art, music and literature become famous. For instance, Hughes, Cullen, and Johnson are some of the people that were frequently heard. Music specifically jazz and night clubs became famous too. During the 50s and 60s Harlem was involved in political issues. For instance, Malcolm X fought for the black’s civil rights, gaining federal financial help for education, housing and community services. In the 70s, Harlem’s residents suffered from great poverty; There were many abandoned buildings and delinquency in the area. However, since the 90s gentrification reached Harlem and there are many private and city investors that began developing new housing, which is attracting the white population to move in. Of course, prices in real estate properties are rapidly increasing (BG p 437-438). Some of the historical places that the tour guide mentioned were “The Theresa Hotel”, Fidel Castro stayed in this hotel during his visit to New York in 1960. Another historical place is the Apollo Theater, originally this theater was opened to whites only, but eventually this theater welcomed everyone. Currently, it is managed by the city, and important shows take place here, attracting more than a million people to visit per year (BG p 440). Some other interesting places that we visit were the Red Rooster Restaurant. We were told that in this restaurant ex-president Bill Clintons and George Bush Jr. had come to eat in this place. In addition, Sylvia Restaurant is also a famous place in Harlem. We also learned that Clinton’s office is located in 125th street; this has also helped Harlem to become a better neighborhood. Even though it was raining I enjoyed walking on the streets of Harlem, especially the brownstone houses and the style of some churches was spectacular.