What’s around town for exhibit enthusiasts? Take a look.

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Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting @ The Morgan Library & Museum

Through 29 january 2012 [Free Friday admission from 7pm - 9pm]

In addition to its acclaimed collection of Medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, the Morgan is also home to important Islamic manuscripts dating from the late middle ages to the 19th century.

You’ll have to hurry if you want to see this exhibit, but it’s well worth a trip. After being hidden for a century in the Morgan’s vaults, the public can view, for the first time, this incredible range of remarkable Qurans, stunning illuminated manuscripts, and miniatures – dating as far back as the 11^th century. Some of my favorite pieces are shown below.

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The Birth of Promotion: Inventing Film Publicity in the Silent-Film Era @ New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Through 25 february 2012 [Free]

If you thought that the celebrity publicity machine and our fascination with it (and them) is a mid-to-late 20^th century invention, think again.

As far back as 1890 – posters and ads, and later magazines and exploitation campaigns were all the rage – and were churned out in abundance. Clara Bow endorsed products, and some actresses even had their own line of make-up. Rudolph Valentino was the Brad Pitt of his day. There’s nothing new under the sun.

This wonderful compilation of ephemera including original gouache posters artwork, and products and promotional items, is a terrific trip if you’re a fan of the artform. Or even if you’re slightly curious about the gossip of the day.

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Diego Rivera: Murals for The Museum of Modern Art @ MoMA

Through 14 may 2012 [Free Friday admission from 4pm - 8pm]

Diego Rivera was the most visible figure in Mexican muralism in the 1920s. But, his murals were impossible to transport for exhibition elsewhere. MoMA solved this problem by bringing Rivera to New York – giving him studio space – where he produced five “portable murals” commemorating events in Mexican history.

The murals are powerful in their storytelling, but I found the studies more extraordinary. Raw, tense, and stripped of color, they shook me to my core. Definitely worth a look.

Enjoy! Any good exhibits to add?

Images: Qurans and manuscripts, © The Morgan Library & Museum; Birth of Promotion newsletter, © 2012, Janet Giampietro; Diego Rivera: © MoMA, Liberation of the Peon

We all know that texting while driving is an absolute no-no. I propose that texting while walking should be banned as well.

If you live in a place where you have huge expanses of walkspace or European piazzas, then have at it.

But this is Manhattan people. There’s hardly enough room for the population as it exists now to find room on the sidewalks and move at a decent clip. If you’re behind texters (as I always seem to be) they are usually walking at a snail’s pace, and weebling left to right.

I personally witnessed the hazards of texting while walking last week. One guy on West 21 had his foot run over by a cab. Luckily he didn’t seem to be badly hurt. A young woman was nailed by the big, heavy door of a retail store by an exiting shopper. I’m not sure that she even noticed – never missed a beat on the keypad.

I say, get out of the way! Move to the left or right of the sidewalk. Stand against the buildings with the smokers to send your messages. And pick up your head – the crosstown blocks come up really fast, as do the cars.

How do you feel about texting while walking?

Left: Flickr image by kevin dooley. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) Right: Flickr image by mattjiggins. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

More lists – for 2012 though. Here’s the round up of the best places to see and be seen: Some are about pristine, untouristed locations, others have been chosen as best-for-your-buck; and then there’s the offbeat, off-trail adventures. There’s something for everyone, local or afar, and as a special treat, I’ve added a section on great rail journeys for fellow train lovers.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel for 2012

Voted for by a panel of inhouse travel experts, these locations were chosen based on topicality, excitement, value and that what LP is calling that “special X-factor.”

Keep reading >

Seems as though I just wished the curious g readers a Happy 2010. Did you catch up on my top 10 lists of the best films, plays and books (according to me, of course) and my yearly discoveries?

As the new year approaches, a special thanks for another year of following the curious g. Here’s hoping good things emerge in 2012.

Cheers!

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Albert Einstein

How about that – Einstein and I have something in common.

Some of the most interesting finds I made in 2011 were random – and local – discovered while walking around the city. As the world struggles through economic challenges, political uprisings and figuring out what to do with occupy-ers, there’s always something new to find and explore from the mainstream to the fringes. Good thing too.

In chronological post order – my 2011 discoveries…

Keep reading >

Time to throw my top 10 lists into the bottomless pit of lists (apologies). As in 2010, I’ve focused on films, plays and books. These works surprised, informed and entertained me. Most importantly, they have peaked my curiosity enough to engage with them and just maybe discover something new.

Off we go, in no particular order – my top picks of 2011.

Keep reading >

This past Saturday was a stunning December day in NYC. Temps in the mid-50s at this time of year are rare, so everyone takes their activities outside before the freezing temperatures, whipping winds and snow and ice storms create a state of near hibernation. For me anyway.

I headed over the Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). One of my favorite NYC walks takes me through parts of the East Village, SoHo, NoLIta, Chinatown, and the city and Federal courts area.

Nestled in DUMBO is Brooklyn Bridge Park where Jane’s Carousel was recently relocated. The carousel (merry-go-round, as we called them) had been resting in a storefront on Water Street for years, awaiting its mainstage position between the two bridges. It’s a wonderful place to see spectacular views of Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights, and a great area to walk, shop and explore many remnants of old New York.

Keep reading >

The first visual that popped into my mind when I read the 2011 word of the year was nearly everything designed by the prolific Karim Rashid.

Keep reading >

Those of you who follow the curious g know that I’m a huge fan of the New York Public Library (NYPL) – and Legos.

Post-Thanksgiving Day, I usually take a walk uptown to check out the holiday decorations and store windows before the sidewalks get oh-so crowded.

At the main branch of the NYPL @ Fifth and 40 Street – I give the real Patience and Fortitude (by sculptor Edward Clark Potter) my annual tap – then pop inside to find the Lego version of the lions, on view in the library’s main hall. I can’t imagine engineering this feat, but it’s a sight to behold.

Here’s the full story of their creation and creator, Nathan Sawaya.

Image: Chester Higgins Jr./The New York Times

One of these years I’m going to go see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (MTDP) balloons get inflated.

To those outside NYC, this event is nearly more anticipated by locals than the parade itself (note that those of us who like this are also the people who have been, or would likely go to the circus elephants arrival via the QM Tunnel in March).

After watching the parade for many years, I got curious about its history and the balloon characters that have appeared. I’ve rounded up a healthy bunch of resources for those of you who need mental sating as well as physical this holiday season.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

When: Wednesday, November 23, 2011, approximately 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Where: Central Park West and Columbus Avenue on 77 and 81 Streets / Inflation Map

2011 debut of B. Boy: MTDP’s newest balloon star

> Tim Burton talks about creating the latest character for this year’s parade.

Balloons through the Decades: Terrific gallery of MTDP balloon characters.

> 47 slides of the balloon characters throughout the parade’s history. Wonderful shots of vintage New York.

How do they do it: Making-of the MTDP giant balloons

> Short overview from concept to production of a balloon character from the art department.

History of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

> How it all started and listings of all the balloon characters over the decades.

The parade airs nationally in the US on NBC, 9:00am – 12noon EST, Thursday, 24 november 2011. No links as yet for live streaming, check the website for further details.

Happy Turkey Day all!

What’s your favorite balloon character?

Kermit and Smokey the Bear on Broadway, 1979 and Tim Burton’s B. Boy // Images: Hamburg via NY Daily News and Richard Perry/The New York Times