Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls

Prompted by Anna’s comment to my last post, I did a little research and it turns out that there really is a freaking waterfall under the Brooklyn Bridge.   It’s an exhibit running only this summer set up by the Public Art Fund of New York.  And I was not joking in my last post, I really had NO IDEA this existed!  The page I found with the water taxi info doesn’t even mention it!  

For other uninformed people like me, the project consists of four man-made waterfalls of monumental scale, on display on the shores of the New York waterfront: one on the Brooklyn anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge; one on the Brooklyn Piers, one in Lower Manhattan at Pier 35 north of the Manhattan Bridge; and one on the north shore of Governors Island.  They operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and are lit after sunset.  You can read more about it on the official website.

HOWEVER, I still insist that the Water Taxi photo in my last post is a PHONY, because the damn thing doesn’t really look like that!  One reader said that from any view, you ALWAYS see the scaffolding.  Here are some REAL photos (NOT digitally retouched) that I think give the viewer a clearer understanding:

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m all for public art and stuff…but COME ON.  Water cascading from scaffolding?  REALLY?  I just don’t know.  And the Brooklyn Bridge one is the best of the four– at least it’s backed up against the anchorage of the bridge.  The others are just freestanding scaffolding:

  

After perusing some reader comments from all over the web about this exhibit, I’ve pasted some of my favorites from people on both sides of the argument for your reading pleasure:

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“I mean this may be the dumbest thing I have ever seen. Why not take a drive upstate and see some real nature? If you have no car then maybe a bus? I mean fake waterfalls in Manhattan?  If you are actually impressed by these than it means you really need to get out of the city and see some real nature. And we wonder why our economy is so bad?”  –posted by Jcap on NYT.

“Yes, God forbid we have something to take our minds off the depressing economic environment. Enjoy spending your free time staring and your empty wallet and worrying.  I’ll be out walking along the river enjoying some privately funded art/distraction.”

“The best things in life are free. You’re in NYC, one of the most exciting cities in the world. You can always find something fun to do that costs little to nothing. If you’re so jaded that everything in NYC bores you, this isn’t going to help. ”

“I find the complaints bizarre. The point is an “urban” waterfall — something that is, yes, artificial and constructed, but meant to evoke something greater in nature, to bring it into contrast with the city landscape.   Are there the same complaints about urban parks? Why take a stroll there when you can hike in the woods?  It’s not meant to be the same experience. Just think for a moment. I certainly do wish I was in NYC again to see this. “- Posted by Gloria on NYT.

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I LOVE a good public debate!  And if you’re wondering, the funding is both public and private- Public Art Fund is a non-profit organization with generous private donors, but also receives some funds from the National Endowment for the Arts- a pittance, I’m sure, but tax dollars nonetheless.   Other lazy blog commenters think the dirty East River water might be a health hazard when the wind kicks up the mist– FYI, the water is filtered before it comes out the waterfall.

Anyone care to share their thoughts?  Personally, I’m on the fence.  Fake waterfalls:  beautiful and thought-provoking artistic expression that gives residents and tourists something new to enjoy?  OR colossal waste of time and money that could be going to helping third-world nations?  DISCUSS. 

Shiesty!

One of my best friends is leaving New York (see blog TryBecca).  I’ve noticed it’s common for people moving away from New York who feel like they may never return to want to purchase a sightseeing tour or start participating in extremely touristy activities.  It’s a natural reflex.  Every person I’ve known to leave the city who has no family or work ties to the place goes through this.  One friend made a trip across the Brooklyn bridge before her grand departure.  One decided to organize a group skate at Wollman’s Rink in Central Park.  Yet another expressed interest in the double-decker bus.  It’s always an activity that is so easy, accessible, and often extremely low cost, but you just DON’T DO IT while you live here.  It’s just not that important while you’re racing to and fro, trying to work hard enough to keep up with this crazy place and its outrageous cost of living.  But when your departure date has become finalized, it’s fucking important.  The option to walk the Brooklyn Bridge any given weekend is no longer there.   I know I’ll be pricing the tours when my time comes to leave (not anytime soon).

So last week I began looking on the web for the best and brightest touristy thing to do for Becca’s last hurrah! and stumbled upon this photo:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Um…is that…a waterfall?  Coming out of the Brooklyn Bridge?  Someone help me out with this one.  Because I suddenly wonder if mine own eyes haven’t deceived me….IS there really a waterfall coming out of the Brooklyn Bridge somewhere?  

I’ve been on two city cruises- one on Circle Line, and one on a Water Taxi- both of which went underneath the Bridge of Brooklyn…  I have also physically stood ON the Brooklyn Bridge, as a pedestrian.  And in none of these instances have I EVER seen a waterfall emerging out of any part of the Brooklyn Bridge.  Water taxi…what the hell?  Please fire your web designer.  This man or woman should have never been taught to use Adobe Photoshop.  This is like when we used to tell the freshmen in high school that the Olympic-sized pool was located on the 3rd floor, and our high school had two floors.  It’s just not nice to purposefully deceive!  Bad karma.  I wonder how many people have asked for their money back when they go under the bridge, and see nothing but garbage floating around the base.  hehe

Oh Mama…

Movies being released nationally this Friday (and how could you forget?): Dark Knight and Mamma Mia. 

You can count on me seeing Dark Night, as soon as humanly possible *without* having to battle ridiculous New York crowds.  Christian Bale gets my bacon sizzling.  He gets my coffee brewing.  And of course, it’s Heath Ledger’s last completed movie- ’nuff said. 

But can I just say that the Mamma Mia madness is getting on my freakin’ nerves?  It’s everywhere!!  And that SONG just gets into your SKULL, wraps its bouncy, cheery, perfectly annunciated refrain (MA-MA MI-A…Here I go ag-a-ain!….MY MY!…HOW CAN I RE-SIST YO-OU?!) around your cerebral cortex and will NOT let go!! 

Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of the movie musical- Chicago was great fun, Moulin Rouge is one of my favorites, and I thoroughly enjoyed Enchanted and Sweeney Todd.  But you could not pay me to see this movie.  I feel the same way about the Broadway show.  People say it’s riotous fun, complete with people dancing in the aisles and such, but I just don’t know.  I’m not a big Abba fan anyways, although I even used to like the song “Dancing Queen,” but it’s just one of those songs that our society has latched onto and that gets overplayed again and again, like “Satisfaction” or “Hotel California.”  I suppose it’s a modern anthem for gays and party girls alike, and that’s all well and good, but it’s just become ubiquitous at every party or drinking hole with a dance floor.  So the idea of seeing a huge choreographed number on the big screen to the tune of “Dancing Queen” does not get me too excited. 

Although I am super curious- does Meryl Streep do her own singing??  Who knew?!  I love how the return of the movie musical in this decade has outed all these long-time movie actors who we never knew could sing, like Richard Gere.  Do Pierce Brosnan and Collin Firth sing too??  On second thought, I may just have to see this movie.  If for NO other reason than to see Collin Firth singing and dancing.  That’s another one that gets my muffins rising. 

Blogtastic

And voila, my new hobby.  Blogging.  Now that singing has officially moved from hobby to profession in my life (meaning I get paid to sing occasionally), the hobby space needed some filling.  The real reason is that I’ve got tons of free time at my new job, which is wonderful.  Here you get to read stories about my travels, various jobs, dating, music, and general observations and opinions on New York, politics, and other random shit, while I release and learn more about myself.  Welcome!

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