A*RT!? Happens « MuseumChick

CATEGORY: A*RT!? Happens

Gone With The Rain- Sidewalk Art in NYC

November 11, 2010 A*RT!? Happens

I can't believe it, I stepped right on the artist's work! I've heard about Hani Shihada, New York's only remaining sidewalk artist, but never walked over one of his works until now! Walking out of Central Park on 76th Street, I spotted a Picasso Shihada just laying on the street. That's where Shihada's work usually is- under New Yorkers' fast paced shoes. Shihada's colorful scenes force passers-by to look down to observe the sometimes very detailed work done in chalk. What a nice change from the usual pothole.

Shihada has been doing sidewalk art for over 25 years and is credited with being New York City's original sidewalk artist.

Don't worry, I'm not wearing sandals in this windy New York weather. I took these pictures about a month ago.

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Valdes in the City

October 28, 2010 A*RT!? Happens

My go-to restaurant whenever someone comes to visit is the pub/restaurant/hamburger joint extrordinaire, PJ Clark’s. The original restaurant, from 1884, is on the upper east side but the new one at Lincoln Center is closer to my apartment. It doesn’t have the history that the original building has but the burgers and the friendly and upbeat pub atmosphere are just as good. (This also happens to be one of my favorite restaurants because it is where my husband and I had our first date!). So, one sunny afternoon I was taking my cousin to experience the best burger in NYC and right across from PJ Clark’s, shining in the sun, was this Manolo Valdes sculpture. I recognized it right away after my roadtrip through the Loire Valley and to the Château de Chambord in France.

I love the way the sun plays on the sculpture’s headpiece in this one…

I took some pictures and went on to enjoy the best hamburger ever.

Then, on a completely different day I was walking up Broadway to Canine Styles to get Darcy a jacket (not just for the cuteness factor but he actually gets very cold in the winter). After finding the cutest blue plaid “peacoat” style jacket with buttons down the back (I’ll have him wear it to take some pictures and post!) I passed these two Manolo Valdes sculptures flanking the 72nd Street subway entrance.

Curious about how many more Valdes sculptures were scattered about the city I researched a bit online and found out that an exhibit called “Manolo Valdes on Broadway” is going on from May 20, 2010 to January 23, 2011. In this outdoor exhibit, 16 bronze Valdes sculptures are scattered along Broadway starting at Columbus Circle (close to my apt) and up to 166th Street.

The coolest and very innovative part of this exhibit is that nearby each sculpture there is a sign that displays a 212 phone number for an English and Spanish language audio guide tour with information and descriptions of the sculptures.