April 14, 2011

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?

65 comments:

  1. New York really is amazing, isn't it? I haven't been there in ages so it was great looking at all of your photos and remembering the past. Ahhh. SO love that little turtle one, too. LOVE turtles. :)

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  2. I loved the tour, it makes me want to go visit.

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  3. Great city and nice shots! Someday I want to go there...
    Kisses from Brazil

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  4. I love all of your photos. I really want to go one day even if just to go to Times Square and the MOMA. Speaking of which I would love to see your MOMA photos.

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  5. Olga I loved this tour of the Big Apple! A place I've not travelled to but it is on my bucket list!

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  6. Olga, it is such a strange sensation to look at your pictures, which are just beautiful and rich. I think we must have passed each other on the street at some point because you have not only photographed the building in which i work, and many places in the neighborhood in which i work, but you have also photographed my home neighborhood, including a house i walk past every day! I agree New York is a city full of mystery. One can feel lonely int the crowds, or else, one can feel utterly liberated by the anonymity. This is how i felt when i came here to visit my aunt at age 5, and i knew then that i would choose to live in this city someday. and here i am. it is wonderful to see it fresh though your eyes!

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  7. Olga, thank you for arranging a visit to New York. It must be wonderful to experience the feelings of the big city. Lost in the City or be satisfied with the anonymity of many people, it is the nature of the individual. If you publish photos of the MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, we welcome it and I'll be happy. Beautiful day wishes Peter.

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  8. Olga, you're making me miss NYC so much. But mostly, I love how you see things . . . you've got such a great eye. Such enjoyment -- I love your pics. I'm smitten.

    And YES . . . please share your pics of your favorite works of art. Quite by coincidence, I was at the St. Louis Art Museum TODAY . . . shooting photographs of the most amazing art -- and I intend to share them on my blog in the days to come. But for now . . .

    It's your turn. Go girl. More please.

    xo

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  9. Dear Olga
    Sooo lovely pictures from NYC. I love your tour through this big city. Very nice!
    Have a good weekend and greetings from Switzerland. Yvonne

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  10. Masterful.......too much to take in at once so I will be back.

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  11. Bravo Olga pour ton magnifique reportage qui vaut beaucoup de documentaires à la télé. C'est très intéressant , ce que tu nous as montré, car c'est avec l'oeil d'un étranger, en t'attachant à tout ce qui t'a surpris.
    Je viens de passer un excellent moment en regardant tes photos, et je me sens un peu moins ignard qu'auparavant.
    Merci!

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  12. J'espère que le traducteur automatique ne modifie pas mes pensées...

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  13. Olga i do love the visit, you make me pray, you ' re amazing me, you make me laugh( splendid bull) i' m fond of that blog!

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  14. Liebe Olga,
    vielen Dank für deinen netten Kommentar!Wunderschöne Fotos!Danke für die Fotos von Cathedral of Saint John the Divine.Ich habe große Interesse an Kirchenarchitektur.
    ganz liebe Grüße
    Meglena

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  15. Olga, please, please, post the pictures from MOMA and the Metropolitan.
    I've also enjoyed revisiting NYC through your eyes.

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  16. Olga, thanks !
    New York has so much variety to offer, the very new and the contemporary, classics ! very beautiful series !

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  17. Absolutely stunning photos Olga! Great post.

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  18. But of course I would love to see more!

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  19. And yes I would love to see your art photos!

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  20. A very interesting point of vue, precisely your point of vue of N.Y.!
    Très réussies vos photographies, we are waiting for continuation !
    Très bonne journée !

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  21. Wow, you shared so many photos, thanks for the whirlwind tour Olga.

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  22. Very nice series.Greetings Andrzej.

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  23. Hi Sophia,
    I think that New York is great in any season. Even if it's a rainy day, you can imagine that you're in a movie :) The turtle charmed me as well.

    Hi Nikki Kendall,
    It's great that I took this picture because, if I visit another time, it might already have crawled away :)

    Hi lilylovekin,
    New York is definitely a place to visit. I wish I had more time to enjoy the city.

    Hi Gisa,
    I'm glad you liked my photos :)

    Hi Randy,
    I'm sure that if you visit New York you will take lots of photos and bring back lots of impressions! Thank you for the encouragement.

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  24. Hi Naturegirl,
    Thank you for the compliment about my post. I always enjoy your photography from the place you have visited. Hooray for technology - we can travel without leaving the house!

    Hi Angella,
    It's funny, because of all the buildings in New York, I took photos of those that have some relevance to you. I also appreciate that you approve of my view of New York. It's so important to hear this feedback from a person who has lived there for such a long time and has such strong feelings towards that city.
    I'll be sure to post the paintings with my comments!

    Hi Peter,
    I'm glad you find my view of New York interesting. I appreciate that you, surrounding by the beauty of Europe, find this post aesthetically pleasing. I'll be sure to show the paintings.

    Hi Rick,
    I'm looking forward to your visit to the Saint Louis Art Museum. I know they have quite a few treasures. I would love to see them. I want to see them as soon as possible!

    Hi Yvonne,
    Glad to share my impressions of New York, and I'm so pleased to hear you enjoy them :)

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  25. Hi Adrian,
    I'm glad you found a moment to visit my blog. You're welcome any time! I had no idea that my posts could contain so many impressions as to compel somebody to return to them.

    Hi Richard,
    Une grande ville mérite une grande discussion. Avant le voyage, j'ai eu peur, je ne l'aime pas. Je pense que j'ai capturé l'essence de ce qu'elle a à offrir. Je pense que le traducteur électronique fait un assez bon travail. Mais parfois il est utile de lire entre les lignes.

    Hi orfeenix,
    I'm glad you were able to experience the same emotional stages as I've found in New York. Come again any time!

    Hi Megi,
    Ich war erstaunt über diese Kathedrale. Besonders seine Geschichte. Es war vor über 100 Jahren entwickelt. Es hatte auch nach unten ein paar Jahren abgebrannt, aber es war wieder hergestellt. Der Ort hat eine besondere Energie.

    Hi Pet,
    It's great to hear that you've enjoyed revisiting New York through this post. It's a very valuable compliment.

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  26. Oh Olga this was even better than the previous posts and they were wonderful enough. I loved the jockeys, the Cathedral, the bull's backside lol, and the statue beside the Cathedral were my faves. Yes Yes Yes please post your favourite photos, I would like to see which ones they are. I have a list of those I would want to see should I visit NYC.

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  27. Hi Wong,
    It's awesome that you took notice of the variety of architecture. I feel that New York has a variety of everything.

    Hi Spangle,
    I'm glad you enjoyed it :) Thank you for finding the moment to visit my blog.

    Hi R. Jacob,
    It'll be my pleasure to show my favourite paintings.

    Hi Jean Marie,
    Je suis content que vous avez aimé les détails et les spécialités de l'architecture de New York. Il ya tant d'influences culturelles de cette ville.

    Hi Lindy,
    Just wait, I'm not finished yet :) I haven't posted my vies from the Rockefeller Center.

    Hi Andrzej,
    Thank you. I enjoyed your last post very much too :)

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  28. Hi Dolly,
    Dear friend, I'll be sure to show my photos of my favourite paintings. It would be shameful to miss them, because they are so wonderful. I'm glad you enjoyed this post. I was fearful that it's too overwhelming. I'm still digesting my visit :)

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  29. Is there a corner of NY you didn't see? Wow. This brings back amazing memories of St. John the Divine. I went to Columbia so I would go there often just for a little peace and visit the statue outside. Thanks Olga. Your photos always take my breath away.

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  30. Thank you World-wide LOVE.
    and, your encouragement.

    Switch from atomic/notclear energy to Nature energy.
    We will walk the way in the near future.

    From Japan, ruma

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  31. thank you for sharing with us. a pleasant come back to this great city. hugs from Italy

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  32. Oh my god, I love it!
    I wish I could photograph ny!

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  33. The soul of the city so well captured here....

    -Trevor

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  34. There is so much to see in New York that every time I go there I see something different. Then also everyone sees the same sight in a different way. I enjoyed your visit. I think that once you have enjoyed New York you have to go back again. We try to go every two years if possible, or more, for a long week-end. Yes I’d love to see your pictures from the museums.

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  35. I adore your photos, I wish I could take photos even half as good as yours. You have such a good eye too. I love seeing New York through your eyes.

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  36. Fabulous photos dear Olga, thank you for sharing your images and impressions of New York with us.
    I would love to see your favourite paintings from the MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

    xoxoxo ♡

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  37. Your photographs are amazing. And I love your apt description of New York as a 'vertical city'. I am so looking forward to the roof tops. They are a preocupation of mine, along with chimneys. It is excitng to follow you through new York!

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  38. Your post are always interesting as to read !
    I like your wonderfull photos ! :))

    Bye**

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  39. Hi Lydia,
    I hadn`t had the time to walk down Brighton Beach, where there is a large Russian community. Next time, we`ll explore it.

    Hi ruma,
    Thank you for taking a moment to visit my blog. Your comment is appreciated.

    Hi AlessandraLace,
    Thank you for visiting. I bet it`s really hot in Italy right now :)

    Hi mariiana capela fotografia,
    New York is really a place where a photographer can press the button every second of the day.

    Hi Trevor,
    What a lovely compliment. Thank you for visiting. I think I have really felt the rhythm of the city.

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  40. Hi Vagabonde,
    Before going to New York, I had many fears that I wouldn`t like it, or would be disappointed. It turned out so diverse and entertaining that I really must return one day. I`d like to watch at least one Broadway show.

    Hi Happy Frog and I,
    I`m glad you liked it. It`s not always that your fascination with something can be conveyed through photos. Sometimes I see that I haven`t captured the moment.

    Hi Dianne,
    Thank you for being my follower. My only goal is to show certain situations in my life through my photos. I`ll definitely show you the paintings.

    Hi aguja,
    Vertical lines are everywhere in New York. They prevail over horizontal lines. You can contrast it with Moscow, which is based almost entirely on bends and curves. Or Toronto, which consists of patches.

    Hi Mahon,
    Thank you for your comment. I`m glad you liked the combination of my writing and photography :)

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  41. You too such great pictures! I haven't seen a lot of those things in NYC so it was interesting. It is pretty crowded though, I stayed for a week once in my friends apartment and people were always walking by her window, I was so exhausted by the end of it, haha :)

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  42. Hi Olga,

    Seeing how tall the sky-scrappers are, makes me feel small. I know I would be totally over whelmed being in a big city. I feel small the odd time I go to Edmonton. However, I do appreciate the architecture, and admire the artistry the NYC has to offer. Thank you very much for sharing NYC with a 'bush baby'.

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  43. It's ware u know? Here in Argentina we see NY like a movie.. not like a country.. It's like somewahere far away that a appears on TV sometimes haha..

    I love NY, I never been there unfortunately but it's on my list! Nice architecture, nice pictures and! Nice blog :)

    Greetings from here Olga!

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  44. Olga

    Fabulous tour guide you are, SIGH! now I am home sick --- Looking forward to seeing photo's from MoMA ,,, one of my favorite museums, what is nice they let you take photos; here in the Pacific North West they do not.

    joanny

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  45. Wow, vertical indeed! Love the photos, Olga.

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  46. Amazing city! I'm not so sure how I feel if I go there in person. All buildings are soaring up to the heaven! I may be overwhelmed and stunned in awe, or feel extremely happy as the city seems to have everything. One day I visit and find how I feel.
    I like the building which looks like a beauty with a tiara.

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  47. you are so right about this, and it's funny how most posts about New York that I come across don't even mention the architecture. Fantastic post.

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  48. Wow, what a trilling set of images of such a world famous destination! Excellent lens work Olga!

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  49. Thank you for visiting my blog also like your blog, I love New York, one day I want to travel to this beautiful city.

    I'm following you, thank you, come again!

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  50. Bwllissima raccolta. Complimenti!!
    Francesca

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  51. Hi Krystal,
    I know what you are talking about. The crowd in New York is very intense. Sometimes it`s difficult to walk down the street, particularly on Friday night. It`s really overwhelming.

    Hi goodnufranch,
    It only seems like New York is so big and grandiose and alienating. In reality, it has a very positive energy, and it`s easy to be there. That is, from my personal experience. I'm a "Moscow Baby".

    Hi Con edulcorante y al Revés,
    Thank you for being my follower, and for your comment. I'm enjoying following you too. In New York, it's easy to feel like you're in a movie. And, actually, a lot of filming happens on the streets; you can find some when you're just walking around.

    Hi Joanny,
    Sorry about making you homesick :( New York is really a place that draws you in. I'm almost ready with my "paintings" post.

    Hi Talli,
    Thank you. Glad you approve of my choice :)

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  52. Hi snowwhite,
    New York is really special among the big cities I have visited. It doesn't make you feel strained or lost in the crowd. You feel more like a separate individual, going your own way.

    Hi hila,
    I think architecture comes as a given when you're traveling. Since I have a few architect friends, I find it to be one of the key points in my travels. A special challenge is going on a trip with those friends and listening to them talk about the materials that the buildings are made from, which is boring!

    Hi Doug,
    Thank you for your comment. It's a special compliment when your work appeals to such a talented photographer :)

    Hi Designer e Webmaster,
    Thank you for following me :) I'm glad you enjoyed my report about my trip to New York.

    Hi Francesca,
    Thank you for your compliments :)

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  53. Marvelous great pictures... Congratulations !
    Thanks a lot to share them with us...

    Pierre

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  54. Hi Pierre BOYER,
    Thanks for stopping by and a big thank you for such a lovely comment.

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  55. i want to go shopping in new yooork :) haha ;p
    and im an icee skater so i lovee the skating rink ;p yayyy ;p
    havee a great weeeek :) xx

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  56. Hi Sharon ,
    I don't want to tease you but shopping was really good in NY :) Thank you for popping over my blog. I appreciate it very much. Feel free to stop by whenever you like.

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  57. Thank you for your kind visit to my blog!

    What a fantastic journey through your post!
    I don't know New York, but it's as if I had been there.
    I loved the tour with you.
    Thank you for the opportunity so authentic.

    Big hug.

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  58. Hi Teca,
    Thank you for your visit and your compliment. New York left an unforgettable impression on me. Maybe because, after ten years in Canada, it was the first big American city that I have visited.

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  59. Stunning photos, Olga:)
    When I was looking at them I found myself dreaming of the day I'll have the chance to visit that beautiful city!
    You're right, that Cathedral is absolutely amazing!

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  60. I so love other peoples tours of New York. Your photos are amazing and they just make me wish I was there. So thank you!

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  61. Hi M@risa,
    The Cathedral has one room with the rarest yellow marble in the world. It seems like we weren't meant to see it; we just didn't have the time, and we hadn't found the room :( Maybe you could find it?

    Hi Angela,
    Thank YOU very much :) You're always welcome in my blog.

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  62. Thank you for visiting my blog, Olga. (I'm a different Lydia than your other reader above.)
    Your New York images are fantastic, rich, and real. My husband and I were married there at the Municipal Building 15-1/2 years ago and saw many of the places you photographed, so the post makes me feel like I am back. Seems surreal that we have photos from the outside observation deck of the Twin Towers...
    You asked for recommendations for "strange and mystical books set in New York" and I have some! My favorite is Forever:A Novel, by Pete Hamill. I think it is truly wondrous.
    Also, Time and Again, by Jack Finney....and the sequel (not as good as the first book) From Time to Time.

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  63. Hi Lydia,
    Welcome to my blog! It's fascinating, how many amazing coincidences happy to people. We don't even know what causes them. Isn't it quite an idea for a screenplay :)? I am extremely grateful to you for your book recommendations.

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  64. Yes, a perfect idea for a screenplay!

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