New York Architecture

Who greets us first when we enter an unfamiliar city? Her highness, architecture. She is the one who creates that prized first impression (which is difficult to shake, even if it proves to be generally incorrect). You might arrive with a couple of stereotypes already in place, based on the things you’ve learned about a well-known city. What are some of the things you would expect from New York? Skyscrapers have got to be one of them. They’re all quite different; some are intricate; others are minimalistic. We have found time to go up the Rockefeller Center.

If I had to give a brief characterization of the New York architecture, I would say that it’s a vertical city. There aren’t so many curves or bends, and everything directs your gaze upwards. If you walk around the streets, it is difficult to get lost. With the exception of Broadway, everything seems to be sketched with a strong hand. Meanwhile, Broadway just seems to be wandering as it feels.

Since my head kept on going upwards as I went about exploring New York, I would like to dedicate a separate post to roofs. (Yes, I know – don’t laugh.) In New York, roofs are really quite spectacular. Some of them even reminded me of Parisian attics.

New York intimidated me a little with its vast quantities of people. I’m not used to seeing so many of them so highly concentrated in so many places. Luckily, I didn’t experience any problems or anxieties besides the understadable emotional overload of being in a crowd. Maybe it’s the years of practice in Moscow coming to my aide. They say that crowds can give you a feeling of loneliness. Maybe one shouldn’t visit New York on one’s own for the first time, or else you may find yourself feeling like you’re chasing a sheep, like in the book by Murakami. Speaking of which – I don’t really know any strange and mystical books set in New York. Maybe someone could recommend me one? I felt like this city is perfectly suited for mysterious searches, similar to the ones in Murakami’s novels. There is a special type of surreal atmosphere, a high degree of mysteriousness, and there are absolutely no limits for the imagination.

Great city.

At the time of our walk, we encountered this whimsical hotel with these jockey statues. Each one had a name labeled.

The famous Rockefeller Center, which we were about to ascend. Also, the famous skating rink.

The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine has made an enormous impression on us. The atmosphere is incredible within this building, and so is its history.

A sculpture next to the Cathedral.

These are the gates next to the Cathedral.

The famous jazz club, where all the biggest names in jazz have performed.

If you enter this building, you`ll see this pavilion with an observation deck, where you`d be able to see the space that used to be occupied by the Twin Towers.

A view of New York.

The pavilion where the immigrants of all the different eras have arrived. It is now in the middle of repairs.

Grand Central Station.

Sorry about this view. This is the bull that will bring good luck to your business if you touch it.

Since we were on a guided tour, I took some of these photos from the car. This is the Brooklyn Bridge.

A beautiful view of Manhattan from the side of Brooklyn.

I hope you enjoyed touring New York with me. I have a question for you - I have a collection of my favourite paintings from the MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Would you like it if I posted them?