January 19th on The High Line and the Jelena witch hazel (
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena
') startles with its blaze. The dead brown leaves don't drop but survive on the shrub's branches. At first I'm put off by the dead/live combo, but the sun shinning through the flowers is irrepressible.
Brilliant blue berries on juniper pair with grape holly (
Mahonia x media 'Winter Sun')
in full bloom.
Even where the trees and shrubs are totally bare, the colors of birch and willow bark make me appreciate the thought behind the plant choices. But plants aren't the whole reason for going to The High Line right now. Art abounds.
At 23rd. St when we entered we were greeted by this street art on an adjacent building.
Then unexpectedly there was a major piece using recycled pressed tin and mirror by Ghanaian artist El Anatsui. (below, partially hidden by the juniper, 'Broken Bridge II).
Reflections from nearby buildings incorporate themselves as part of the work. I didn't recognize the artist's name but the style kept niggling at my brain. When I got home I pieced together that he is the same artist I visit regularly at the Met Museum to pay homage to his 'Between Heaven and Earth'. He will have a major show of his monumental works at the
Brooklyn Museum of Art from Feb. 8-Aug. 4, 2013.
If you're tired of looking at plants and art, try the ever popular New York sport of people watching.
What is the fascination of looking down on 10th Avenue?
Above, the Empire State Building, grape holly, winterberry, witch hazel, and Jen P. Hopkins.
Posts
2 comments:
A must see for Maya (now 8 years old) whenever she visits NYC.
One of the original criticisms of The High Line design was that there was no place for children to play, but kids of many ages seem fascinated.
Post a Comment