Josephine Baker twists in a room
Photo of the day: JOSEPHINE BAKER DOES THE TWIST IN A TUTU IN A DISCO BALLROOM AT THE CLOCK TOWER – Only in New York. Brooklyn-based collage artist Judith Supine has created a fun house mirror effect of Josephine Baker dancing in a disco like room with walls lined in mylar with mylar strips hanging about. The illusionary effect was a trip. The art installation was for yet another art gallery site closing, the famed Clock Tower Art Gallery in lower Manhattan.
November 25, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Air International Radio headquarters., arts, Broadway, celebrities, CLOCK TOWER, Clock Tower Gallery, disco room art, entertainment, Hans Von Rittern, Josephine Baker, Judith Supine, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, photography | 2 Comments
Atop the Clock Tower Gallery with the Woolworth Building in the background.
Photo of the day: FIRST SNOWFALL OF THE WINTER ATOP THE CLOCK TOWER GALLERY – It’s official, as of 8:30pm Saturday night, November 23rd 2013 – winter has arrived. I was atop the Clock Tower Gallery for it’s closing farewell party as a bitter cold wind brought the first snowfall. Brrrrrrrr!
November 24, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Air International Radio headquarters., architecture, Broadway, Clock Tower Gallery, first snowfall of winter 2013 New York City, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, photography, Woolworth Building | 2 Comments
5 Pointz Graffiti Museum, Long Island City, Queens
Photo of the day: “NEVER FORGET” 5 POINTZ, COME JOIN US TODAY – We will still be there today! Saturday, November 23, 2013. Our tents will be there with Meres and Marie (curators and lead fighters) as well as the artists selling their works. We will not be white-washed away, we will always be here. The fight is NOT over. Come view the cruel hatefulness of the vandalism. The pettiness of the whitewashing.
5 Pointz will live on in one form or another, whether it is here or at another building. But it will especially live because of all of you, through your thousands of photos, stories and passions. If you have photographed the building in all it’s glory, photograph it now and tell the story of one of the greatest crimes against the art world. Let your friends and the world see what greedy, hateful, vindictive, fearful and cruel men the Wolkoff owners are. Spread the word.
I will see you there today with my dear friends from approx. noon till 4 or 5 pm.
45-46 Davis Street/Jackson Avenue, Long Island City.
#7 train – No trains between Queensboro Plaza and Times Sq-42 St.
Take N or Q train to Queensboro Plaza.
Take the free shuttle bus from Queensboro Place. Get off Court Street stop. Walk following the rail line towards 5 Pointz.
November 23, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 45-46 Davis Street/Jackson Avenue, 5 Pointz, 5 Pointz destroyed, 5 Pointz Graffiti Museum, 5 Pointz support rally 11-23-13, 5 Pointz white washed, 7 train, arts, Court Street stop, David Wolkoff, Gerry Wolkoff, graffiti, Hans Von Rittern, Jonathan Meres Cohen, Long Island City, Manhattan, Marie Flageul, New York City, New York photo, November 23, Photo of the day, photography, Pointz Graffiti Museum, Queens, Queensboro Plaza, Saturday, subway, Sunnyside | Leave a comment
Jacqueline Kennedy, early 1970’s, Forest Hills Queens tennis matches.
Photo of the day: REMEMBERING THE DAY – JOHN F. KENNEDY – On November 22, 1963 we did not own a television, mother thought it was a bad influence on me. I was six years old. My great aunt “Anny” from Germany was visiting with us for the holidays. Anny came racing home in a frenzy asking us if we had heard the news. This was not such a media savvy time. We hadn’t had the radio on – we were playing records. It was an exceptionally cold day, so we stayed inside. Anny cried as she breathlessly told us the news of Kennedy’s death.
Anny was in the lower level of the Lexington Avenue ‘E/F’ train subway station, when a screaming woman came racing down the mint green staircase declaring Kennedy was shot. My aunt witnessed a moment of American history as the entire platform rushed to this woman to hear her tell the news. No radio, no IPhone, no cell phone, just one distraught woman. Anny remembers an eerie silence falling over the platform, just the sound of crying could be heard and men removing their hats. People did no bother to get on their trains, they just stood there. As more people came down the stairs crying out the news, the gruesome story became a reality. Anny raced home to tell her American family the news. I will never forget the moment. I remember the houndstooth coat, black felt hat, suede shoes she was wearing. I remember her perfume as she held my hand to explain what had happened, and I remember the look in her eyes.
Kennedy New York Daily News
November 23, 1963
I briefly once met Jacqueline Kennedy at the Forest Hills Tennis matches in the early 1970’s. We had box seats diagonally behind her. I never watched the games, I was mesmerized by her grace and elegance. She turned around and shook the hand of everyone behind her, whispering hello. We got the handshake because we were in these fancy seats. This was the days before the assassination of John Lennon, today she would have been surrounded by security guards in a private roped off area. I was in respectful awe how she remained cool, calm and polite as the crowds surged towards her as she freely walked around the grounds which is incomprehensible today.
She was/is the personification of grace and elegance.
November 22, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Anny Cornelius, celebrities, day of rememberance, Forest Hills Queens tennis, Forest Hills Tennis Staium, Hans Von Rittern, hearing the news of Kennedy assasination, jacqueline kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, John Lennon, Lexington Avenue subway, New York City, New York Daily News, New York photo, November 22 1963, Photo of the day, photography, President John F. Kennedy assasinated, Queens, remembering John F. Kennedy death, subway | Leave a comment
Karin Glietz-Rothsprack
Touching translation of an email from a German guest:
Dear Hans von Rittern,
On the occasion of a cruise with the AIDA BELLA/Harlem Spirituals, we visited New York, on Nov.2.2013 and we were lucky enough to take a city tour “Complete Brooklyn” with you as a city guide. My view of New York became changed by your affectionate and competent guidance. You led us to the graffiti museum at the end of the excursion. What a sight, a factory, in a dreary trade settlement, with miraculous pictures, in all different conceivable style kinds and colors. Enthusiastically I have taken photos so many pictures as possible and even have bought one more T-shirt. I have carried these photos home and have shared them, also the T-shirt has brought a lot of joys. Now I have found out on-line from “Der Spiegel” (Germany’s ‘Time’ magazine) that the pictures were destroyed by painting over them. This has made me very sad, and the many other people who love this art. We are outraged and feel with you and the many involved and the artists. We will preserve our photos as a treasure and provide for the fact that these pieces of art are shown over and over again, so live on. I embrace you and wish you a lot of strength and courage. With many dear greetings,
Karin Glietz-Rothsprack
From: karin.glietz@gmail.com To: hansvonrittern@aol.com Sent: 11/20/2013 6:23:53 A.M. Eastern Standard Time Subj: 5pointz
Lieber Hans von Rittern,
anlässlich einer Kreuzfahrt mit der AIDA BELLA, besuchten wir New York, am 12.11.2013 hatten wir das Glück eine Stadtrundfahrt
“Brooklyn komplett” mit Ihnen als Stadtführer zu unternehmen.
Meine Sicht auf New York wurde durch Ihre liebevolle und kompetente Führung eine andere.
Zum Ende der Exkursion führten Sie uns zum Graffiti Museum. Welch ein Anblick, eine Fabrik, in einer tristen Gewerbesiedlung, mit wunderbaren Bildern, in allen nur erdenklichen Stilarten und Farben.
Begeistert habe ich soviel Bilder-wie möglich- fotografiert und zum Abschluss noch ein T-Shirt gekauft.
Ich habe diese Fotos nach Hause getragen und weiter gegeben, ebenso das T-Shirt, welches sehr viel Freude bereitet hat.
Nun habe ich durch Spiegel Online erfahren, dass die Bilder durch das Übermalen zerstört wurden.
Das hat mich sehr traurig gemacht, mit mir viele andere Menschen, die diese Kunst lieben.
Wir sind empört und fühlen mit Ihnen und den vielen Engagierten und Künstlern.
Wir werden die Bilder- wie einen Schatz bewahren- und dafür sorgen, dass diese Kunstwerke immer wieder gezeigt werden, so weiterleben.
Ich umarme Sie und wünsche Ihnen viel Kraft und Mut.
Mit vielen lieben Grüßen
Karin Glietz-Rothsprack
November 21, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 5 Pointz, 5 Pointz destroyed, 5 Pointz Graffiti Museum, 7 train, AIDA BELLA, architecture, arts, Der Spiegel, German tourism in New York, Germany reacts to 5 Pointz, graffiti, Hans Von Rittern, Harlem Spirituals Tours Brooklyn Tour, Karin Glietz-Rothsprack, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, photography, subway, Sunnyside, tourists react to 5 Pointz | Leave a comment
Photos of the day: MODERN DAY HITLER VANDALIZES ‘DEGENERATE ART’ AT 5 POINTZ:
5 POINTZ AFTER NOV. 2013
5 POINTZ BEFORE NOV. 2013
Tuesday November 19, 2013 is a day I will not long forget. It was a twist of events and cruel fate that brought many powers of good and evil together.
MARIE FLAGEUL
My dear friend and fellow tour guide Tom Orzo and I picked up 6 German tourist guests at the Queen Mary 2 at the Brooklyn piers for a 3 hour city tour. Normally Tom and I end our tour with a surprise visit to 5Pointz. Since we were coming from Brooklyn, Tom (doing the driving) insisted we make 5Pointz our first fateful stop. At 10:45 we were heading down Jackson Avenue when Tom kept calling out “Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!”. I thought it was his over-reaction to a smaller building in front of the Graffiti Museum that was being torn down. My back was to the museum, I’m facing my German guests telling them how extraordinary a site they are about to see. Now I realize their faces seemed odd and puzzled, so I turn around to the shock of seeing men on high cranes slopping white paint all over the building, obliterating 12 years of spectacular intricate art. I quickly got out to see if I recognized anyone.
MERES’ VOW TO FIGHT
I ran back to the van and we sped to the main loading dock/entrance to the building. And there it was, a vandalized, obliterated work of art – 12+ years destroyed. I ripped open the door to the van and ran into the arms of curator Marie Flaguel and held her as tightly as I could. I cried deep from the gut. I couldn’t stop, I could not speak, I kept gasping for air. I was afraid to let go for fear of seeing Marie’s face. Finally I had to. “It’s all gone…” she said as tears streamed down her face. The owner Jerry Wolkoff, the same man who had asked the artists to paint the murals on his building, had hired non union thugs to destroy over 1,500 pieces of art outside and even throughout the entire inside of the building. Murals that would take your breath away now had erratic white brush strokes all over them. Oddly enough, the greater more powerful murals – had extra coats of white paint over them, it was deliberate, fearful, vindictive and hateful. How do you find words in a moment when you realize it was one of the greatest mass desecrations of art in the 21st Century. An art genocide.
One of the most haunting incredible unseen inside murals by Carlos “See TF” Game
As Marie was filling me in on what happened, one of my German guests, Andrea Pröscholdt-Krulich, ran over in tears. “Why?! Warum?!” she kept asking. She was quite shaken. You see – her son was a graffiti artist who had recently committed suicide. She had planned on this trip to New York to visit 5Pointz to pay homage to her son. She never thought that a ‘routine Manhattan city tour’ would have included our surprise visit here. Andrea and my guests were stunned at the amount of press around us and the unexplainable goings on. They looked on in wonderment – here they were in ‘free’ America’, in ‘progressive’ New York and they were watching Hitler-like tactics unfold before their stunned eyes. Some of my older guests were survivors of World War II. I had to get back on the coach and explain what was happening. Then I realized something. I was with a group of Germans, some of whom had been through a time in Germany when Hitler from 1936 to 1937 rounded up all “modern” art – “Entartete Kunst“ and declared it ‘degenerate’ and had it all destroyed. Over 5,000 works were seized, including 1,052 by Emil Nolde, 759 by Heckel, 639 by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and 508 by Max Beckman, as well as smaller numbers of works by such artists as Alexander Archipenko, Chagall, James Ensor, Matisse, Picasso and even Van Gogh. What Jerry Wolkoff did was no different!
5 POINTZ CANDLE VIGIL 11-18-13
LAST STAND AT 5 POINTZ 11-18-13
But we were not there to mourn the destruction of the museum, their clock was ticking and I was there paid to give a tour. We continued with our tour, but every time we came to a red light or got stuck in traffic, the conversation always went back to the disbelief of 5Pointz. We dropped off our guests and I headed to a candle light vigil that was held at 5pm.
GERMANY MOURNS WITH YOU ❤
The vigil’s atmosphere was like a tomb, what had been vibrant was dead. At night the ‘white” was even more ‘deadly’ and eerie. People kept coming, looking up in silent tearful disbelief and anger. Poster boards were taped onto the building for us to leave our messages. The purpose of the posters is – we will never ever again grace his walls with a single piece of art, line, scribble name or even a dot. Wolkoff had the audacity to claim he too cried. He claimed he had done this so the artist wouldn’t have had the pain of seeing their art work torn down over a period of months. This scumbag reasoning is because he was afraid of the momentum we were gaining. On last Sunday’s rally, when 5Pointz was packed, Marie and Meres (co-curators) had gathered over 1,000 signed petitions in ONE day, to have the building land marked and saved. The owner Wolkoff cleverly erased the value of the building. Let us also not forget, the approval of the two twin glass towers that he plans to build on the same spot were approved by the weasel of a lying two-faced councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, the lowest form of politician there is: big smiling child like innocent face, with his hand holding a knife behind his back, ready to strike for his financial gain. Wolkoff and Bramer – greed is the intoxicant but karma is the bitch.
FUCK YOU
So joining the ranks now of Picasso, Matisse and Van Gogh are artists Onur Dinc, Esteban Del Valle, Meres One, Spidertag, Kidlew, Kkade, Rubin, Aka Shiro, Veronique Barrilot, Contort, Jekl and Dyzer5, Bisco, Bishop203, Just One, Leias, Zeso, and Zimad, Lord Roc, Bisc1, one of my favorites Carlos “See TF” Game and so, so many, many more. Who is anyone to say they aren’t the next Keith Harring, Basquiat, or Matisse? It is a knife in the soul of a fading New York.
GHOSTS OF 5 POINTZ
Rest In Paint 5POINTZ
MARIE FLAGEUL – CANDEL LIGHT VIGIL
MERES’ ‘STAND HERE’
November 20, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 2013, 5 Pointz, 5 Pointz destroyed, 5 Pointz Graffiti Museum, 5 Pointz white washed, 7 train, Aka Shiro, Alexander Archipenko, and Zimad, Andrea Pröscholdt-Krulich, architecture, art genocide, arts, Basquiat, Bisc1, Bisco, Bishop203, candel light vigil 5 Pointz, Carlos "See TF" Game, celebrities, Chagall, Contort, Councilman Jimmy Van Brammer, Emil Nolde, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Esteban Del Valle, Experiencing the destruction of 5 Pointz, graffiti, Hans Von Rittern, Heckel, Hitler degenerate art, inside 5 Pointz, Jackson Avenue, James Ensor, Jekl and Dyzer5, Jerry Wolkoff, Jonathan Meres Cohen, Just One, Keith Harring, Kidlew, Kkade, Leias, Long Island City Queens, Lord Roc, Manhattan, Marie Flageul, MARILYN Carlos "See TF" Game, Marilyn Monroe, Matisse, Max Beckman, Meres One, Meres Stand Here, Nazi Germany, New York City, New York photo, Onur Dinc, Photo of the day, photography, Picasso, politics, Queens, Rubin, See TF Marilyn, Spidertag, Sterling City Tours, street art, subway, Sunnyside, Tom Orzo, Tuesday November 19, Van Gogh, Veronique Barrilot, World War II Germany, Zeso | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: BOGEY AND ME at THE UNITED PALACE “CASABLANCA” RE-PREMIERE – ‘Mondays on Memory Lane’ takes us to a grande gala evening of tuxedos and gowns as the revitalized United Movie Palace once known at the Loew’s 175th Street Movie Palace, re-premiered the all time film classic “Casablanca” starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. Having once spent a magical evening alone with Ingrid Bergman in 1972, the film also has an extra special place in my heart.
Dooley Wilson
The Palace originally opened in 1930 as the Loew’s 175th Street Theater, presenting vaudeville and “talking pictures.” With its spectacular Thomas Lamb design, it was the last of the five Wonder Theatres to be built. In 1969, when many of the city’s grand movie theatres had been demolished or turned into multiplexes, the Palace was purchased, and preserved in magnificent style, by Reverend Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter (Rev. Ike) for his church. Rev. Ike paid big money to have European craftsman restore the hand carved gold detail work throughout the theater declaring: “We are all created in God’s image, therefore each of us is god-like. Therefore you should be made to feel like a god when you enter this palace.” (You do, thank you Rev. Ike!)
United Palace Loew’s lobby
Since Reverend Ike’s death in 2009, the United Palace has been led by his son, Xavier, a life-long musician and minister currently working with the Rhythm Arts Alliance in Southern California, whose dream has been to create a cultural center uptown. Toward this end, he has organized UPCA as a secular non-profit that has a long-term licensing agreement to use the theater and rehearsal and classroom space.
Loew’s Palace balcony
The theater is Manhattan’s third-largest; portable partitions enable its use for audiences ranging from a few hundred to its full capacity. It has hosted symphony concerts, been used in films, videos and TV shows like “Smash”.
United Palace Loew’s theater
What was expected to be an event that would just draw a couple of hundred people through their web site and friends on twitter and Facebook, wound up drawing an audience of 1,100 people! (I was made aware of it by my friend Carolyn Blackbourn). Admission was $15 but those appearing in formal gowns and tuxedos were given free admission but could still make donations to the theater in form of raffles (I won a poster!). The audience was polled by a show of hands, how many were visiting this theater for the first time – 75% of the hands went up! How many had never seen “Casablanca” in a movie theater before – 50% of the hands went up! The audience gasped with the excitement knowing we were all sharing this wonderful experience of “a first” together, that is the magic of film- the shared experience in the dark.
Mike Fitelson and Lou Lumenick
We were treated to live music performances by the SONGS chamber Orchestra and serenaded with “As Time Goes By” by Tim McAfee Lewis. Executive director of ‘the Palace’ handsome Mike Fitelson welcomed us with a wonderful speech of his goals for this architectural treasure. This was followed by the world premier of hip hop artist GPK’s music video “Bouger” which happens to have a ‘Casablanca’ theme. “Casablanca” was introduced by New York Post film critic Lou Lumenick, declaring it his favorite film of all time. Then came that magic moment when the lights are dimmed, the dark screen illuminated with the Warner Brothers logo and the magic began. The film is perfection. Bogey and Bergman are perfection, Peter Lore and Paul Henreid are perfection, the script and editing are perfection. It’s truly is the golden age of 1942 Hollywood.
Loew’s Palace mural
The joy of classic lines like: “Play it! ” (no Bogey does not say ‘again Sam’, Woody Allen did).
Captain Renault: I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! [a croupier hands Renault a pile of money] Croupier: Your winnings, sir. Captain Renault: Oh, thank you very much.
Rick: We’ll always have Paris. We didn’t have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night. Ilsa: When I said I would never leave you. Rick: And you never will. But I’ve got a job to do, too. Where I’m going, you can’t follow. What I’ve got to do, you can’t be any part of. Ilsa, I’m no good at being noble, but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you’ll understand that.
Rick: Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
And I hope that this is also the beginning of a beautiful friendship with the many of you who will check out The United Palace web site (below) and visit this spectacular theater for future events.
“Here’s looking at you kid.” Bogey & Bergman
November 18, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "As Time Goes By", "Casablanca" film, 'Mondays on Memory Lane', 1942 Warner Brothers, 7 train, architecture, arts, Broadway, Bronx, Carolyn Blackbourn, Casablanca, Casablanca quotes, celebrities, Dooley Wilson, entertainment, GPK "Bouger", Hans Von Rittern, Humphrey Bogart, ingrid bergman, Loew's 175th Street Palace, Manhattan, Mike Fitelson, New York City, New York photo, New York Post film critic Lou Lumenick, Paul Henreid, Peter Lore, Photo of the day, photography, Reverend Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter, Reverend Ike, Rhythm Arts Alliance of Southern California, The United Palace, Thomas Lamb, Tim McAfee Lewis, United Movie Palace, UPCA | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: EARLY MORNING SUNDAY SHAVE – It’s 8:30 on a Sunday morning in the Bronx. On upper Broadway and 180th street nothing is open or awake yet except for a few bodegas and Abraham (and Bobby’s) Barber Shop. I was up there last weekend in the early morning hours waiting to do a hike of the Washington Bridge and the Jersey Palisades. As I walked up and down upper Broadway looking for a place to eat, I came across this early morning scene.
November 17, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 180th Street Bonx, Abraham and Bobby Barber Shop, Abraham Barber Shop 4232 Broadway, barber poll, early morning in barber shop, George Washington Bridge, Hans Von Rittern, little boy in barber chair, local barber shop, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, photography, street scene, the Bronx, the Bronx early morning, upper Broadway | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: CHRISTMAS DINNER AT BENDEL’S WITH LIZA, SARAH-JESSICA, WOODY, MARILYN, CAROL AND AL HIRSCHFELD – Since I was a little boy the magical drawings of Al Hirschfeld have absolutely fascinated me! The fact that a few twists of the pen could totally capture a person and their character was astounding to me. Every Sunday I would get up early to run to the corner store to get a Sunday New York Times and pull out the Arts & Leisure section to see who had been ‘Hirschfelded’. That was a steadfast tradition from about 1964 till Al Hirschfeld’s death in 2003. I have boxes and boxes (and boxes) of clippings of all the Hirschfelds I could find from then till now.
The great Hirschfeld
My dream of meeting him came true one day in the year 2000, in the theater that was later to be named for him, The Martin Beck now The Hirschfeld. The story of meeting him is a story unto it’s own. I had met the greatest of the greats until then: Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Elvis, Elton, Cher, Liz Taylor, Katherine Hepburn, but meeting Hirschfeld had topped them all. I had met the man that had documented close to 100 years of America’s entertainment history. It was the most humbling and breath taking moment of my life.
Jerry Stiller meets ‘Jerry’ with Margo Feiden and Bendel’s
When Hirschfeld died, I bought many of his possessions at the 2011 Doyle Galleries estate sale, his pens and pencils, his large wooden pencil box, his shoulder bag and many, many other items, all lovingly displayed in my home.
Fast forward to November 14, 2013 and I am standing in front of Henri Bendel’s windows waiting for the grand unveiling of their Christmas window featuring a three dimensional tribute to the great beloved Hirschfeld.
Bendel’s president and top executives and creative team
I waited front row, clutching my Hirschfeld owned shoulder bag which still has his handwritten name tag attached written in his trademark squared signature. Due to arrive were Jerry Stiller who is featured in the window and Margo Feiden, the sole curator of the Hirschfeld collection. They were followed by the president of Bendel’s, the artistic director, and by Tom Carroll who created the pieces and Bendel’s Assistant VP of Visual, Gilberto Santana. Once inside, I showed the president of Bendel’s my Hirschfeld bag, “You must meet Margo!” (Shades of ‘All About Eve’!!) She welcomed me with open arms and warmth. There I was, after 49 years of collecting, sitting with Margo Feiden, holding hands and telling her my Hirschfeld stories. She so very much reminded my of my dear aunt “G” (see older posts here.) I told her: “Back in the 1960’s and 70’s I was the quintessential stage door Johnny. I had met Bergman, Davis and Crawford…” Margo squeezed my hand and cut me off, “but when you met Hirschfeld…” she interrupted. “Yes!” I proclaimed, “how did you know?” “I can see it in your eyes, it’s still there.” She held my hand tighter. I will not forget that moment. Bendel’s has a limited edition ($100.) poster available for sale commemorating the evening which I asked Margo to sign. “I hope you can read this,” she said as she rolled it up before I could read what she had written to me. I was on cloud 9 as I thanked her and left.
Hans, Jerry Stiller, Margo Feiden
I called mom and told her of the wonderful evening and how my Hirschfeld story had come full cycle. “Well what did Margo write to you?!” mom asked. I didn’t know, because shortly thereafter it was tied up in the traditional brown/white polka dotted Bendel bow and into to fancy large shopping bag it went. “I’ll stop by your apartment on the way home and we can unveil it together.” I rushed home holding onto to it for dear life.
Margo Feiden
Once in mom’s living room, we carefully untied the bow and unrolled the large parchment poster, our eyes transfixed on the small handwriting on the poster, trying to make out the inscription. Then we both looked at up each other and were speechless when we saw what Margo had written: “To Hans, with your enthusiasm Bendel’s won’t need lights, Margo Feiden.”
My heart is full.
“To Hans…”
The celebrated party guests translated into three dimensions in the window include from left to right: Whoopi Goldberg, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Woody Allen, Matthew Broderick, Liza, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jerry Stiller, Bernadette Peters, Carol Channing and Hirschfeld himself. (Omitted in error is Margo Feiden.)
The Margo Feiden Gallery
15 East 9 St Between 5th Ave & University Place
November 15, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 'Hirschfleded', Al Hirschfeld, aligncenter, All About Eve, arts, AUDREY HEPBURN, Bernadette Peters, Broadway, Carol Channing, celebrities, collecting Hirschfeld, entertainment, Hans Von Rittern, henri, Henri Bendel, Henri Bendel department store, Hirschfeld, Hirschfeld estate sale Doyle Auction, Jerry Stiller, Liza, Liza Minnelli, Margo Feiden, Margo Feiden Gallery, Marilyn Monroe, Matthew Broderick, New York Christmas windows 2013, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, photography, Sarah Jessica Parker, whoopi goldberg, Woody Allen | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: MY EVENING WITH FRANK COSTANZA/JERRY STILLER – Last night the upscale department store Henri Bendel’s Christmas windows were unveiled revealing a tribute to the greatest caricature artist of all time and one of the greatest artists ever – Al Hirschfeld. Bendel’s Christmas window revealed the ultimate fantasy gathering for Christmas dinner with some of the most famed New York personalities, Jerry Stiller among them. After some glasses of champagne and discussing today’s TV shows “our show is better than that vampire crap today!” said Stiller, I asked Frank Costanza, er, ah, Jerry if we could pose for a few photos together, this is my favorite. More of the event to follow.
November 15, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Al Hirschfeld, arts, celebrities, entertainment, Frank Costanza, George Costanza, Hans Von Rittern, Henri Bendel, Henri Bendel department store, Jerry Stiller, Manhattan, Margo Feiden, Margo Feiden Gallery, New York Christmas windows 2013, New York City, Photo of the day, photography, Seinfeld TV series | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: 1971 CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL to 42 YEARS LATER AT THE BEACON 2013 (you “can” go back!)
In 1971 on a hot summer’s Saturday night in July, I heard on the radio that tickets were still available for the Creedence Clearwater Revival concert at the Forest Hills Stadium. I begged my mother for the money and to let me go, I was 15 years old and I was about to go to my first concert ever! I put on my size 28 faded pink with blue patch pocket bell bottoms and my purple long sleeve butterfly t-shirt and ran to the subway to head up to Forest Hills.
Creedence Clearwater Revival 1971
My seats were waaaaay in the back of the oval of the stadium, but I was so thrilled, I didn’t care. This was the group that had performed between The Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin at the legendary 1969 Woodstock festival. My music tastes were still evolving, I hadn’t quite found my identity. Disco was yet to come, then I loved the bluesy rhythmic rock style of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their albums were all the rage in school and on the radio, I had all their lps and 45s. I loved the imaginative magical hit ’doo doo doo’ “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” from their 1970 Cosmos album. I have never forgotten sitting way up their in the upper seats singing along and experiencing what was to be so many more incredible concerts in my lifetime. I remember I was such a goody two-shoes that when the audience rushed the stage half way through the concert, I stayed in my assigned seat – boy did I change!
Within the next few years to follow, my musical tastes varied and broadened to include incredible concerts by The Rolling Stones, Sonny and Cher, any Beatle, Elvis at Madison Square Garden, Rock & Roll Revivals, and Elton John. Eventually my taste for disco and the fever to dance ruled and I forsook the sounds of rock, but never completely, always appreciating a good rock artist.
John Fogerty rocks with his son at the Beacon, NYC
Forty two years later, I saw an announcement on my friend Randi Horowitz’s web site SocialEyesNYC.com that the surviving and founding member of Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty, was going to appear at New York’s legendary Beacon Theater. I had to go! Ironically, the only tickets that were to be had were in the upper balcony, again, but didn’t mind – I was going to relive my first concert of forty two years ago. John Fogerty, an energetic and vibrant 68, gave his all and totally rocked the house with his electric guitar for 2-½ hours. Hit after hit after hit. I had come home again, and so had the rest of the audience. The audience all seemed to be from Queens, Staten Island or Westchester. The faces seemed sort of familiar yet things had changed dramatically. See my following post of “observations of a concert crowd 42 years later”.
Same seats for Creedence – 42 years later 🙂
November 14, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "Lookin' Out My Back Door", 1969 Woodstock Concert, 1971 Creedence Clearwater Revival, arts, Beacon Theater New York, bluesy rock, Broadway, celebrities, classic rock concert 2013 review Creedence, Cosmos album, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Creedence Clearwater Revival 1971 - 2013, entertainment, Forest Hills, Forest Hills Tennis Staium 1971, Grateful Dead, Hans Von Rittern, Janis Joplin, John Fogerty, Manhattan, memories of my first rock concert 1971, music, New York City, New York photo, observations of a concert crowd 42 years later, Photo of the day, photography, Saturday July 17 1971, SocialEyesNYC.com, Sonny and Cher, The Grateful Dead | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: On November 13, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence . . .
that request came from his wife.
Deep down, he knew she was right,
but he also knew that some day he would return to her.
With nowhere else to go,
he appeared at the home of his friend, Oscar Madison.
Several years earlier,
Madison’s wife had thrown HIM out,
requesting that HE never return.
Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?
November 13, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 1970's New York, arts, Blanche Madison, Brett Somers, Broadway, celebrities, classic 70's sitcom, classic TV show, entertainment, Felix and Oscar, Felix Unger, Hans Von Rittern, Jack Klugman, Manhattan, Neil Simon, New York City, New York photo, November 13 1970, opening credits The Odd Couple, Oscar Madison, Photo of the day, photography, The Odd Couple opening credits, The Odd Couple TV show, Tony Randall | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: THE LITTLEST YANKEE SLUGGER – This is “Slugger”, I saw him scurrying down 8th Avenue carrying his big Yankee bat. He never let the bat hit the ground as he was following his wheelchair bound owner along the avenue. Only when they waited for the light to change at the curb, did Slugger put down the bat to chew on it some more. Maybe he’s a Met’s fan?? . . .
November 12, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: baseball, dog baseball fan, dog in Yankees uniform, dog with Yankee bat, dog Yankee fan, Hans Von Rittern, little Slugger, Manhattan, New York City, New York Mets, New York photo, New York Yankees, pet baseball fan, Photo of the day, photography, YANKEE SLUGGER | Leave a comment
Mondays on Memory Lane: 1987 JOAN COLLINS SELLS HER PANTIES AT MAXIM’S – Torrid headline, but true. Joan has added her name to many products over the years and in 1987 she launched a line of lingerie, promoted by SanMark Stardust and it was sold in stores such as Jordan Marsh, Emporium and Bon Marche, as well as K-Mart, Target and Shop-co. A diverse range of items were produced including ranges of sleepwear, lounge-wear and day-wear, in colors ranging from Red to Black and of course Pink. The line sold for between $8 to $35 and Joan appeared in print and TV ads to promote the line. The big launch party was at posh Maxim’s. Sadly after it’s fall launch and good sales it was gone by the following summer. (Maxim’s was only open in New York from 1985 to 2000).
Joan Collins lingerie promo
Joan was still at the height of the Dynasty craze which ran from 1981 to 1989, I was a rabid, addicted die-hard fan, forget Dallas! Dy-Nasty had bitchy, dressy, classy Joan Collins! I have (somewhere buried) every episode on VHS tape, with the commercials!).
Joan and family
So – when it was announced Joan was launching her lingerie line at legendary Parisian bistro Maxim’s on Park Avenue in New York, I had to go! By great luck, a co-worker of mine at the time had a press pass he let me borrow, and I wound up having front row access to Joan. I have about 3 dozen photos of the event.
Tomorrow night 26 years later, Joan Collins is making a very rare one night appearance with her one woman life story show at BB King’s Jazz Club on 42nd Street in New York. Despite the fact that it will be election night, my good friend Susan Godwin (who worships Joan) and I are running to see her. Hopefully she will sign some of my memorabilia!
November 4, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 1987, 42nd Street, B.B. King's Jazz Club, Bon Marche, Dynasty TV show, Emporium, Hans Von Rittern, Joan Collins, Joan Collins lingerie launch at Maxim's, Jordan Marsh, K-Mart, Manhattan, Maxim's bistro, Maxim's New York restaurant, Maxim's restuarant, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, photography, SanMark Stardust, Shop-co, Susan Godwin, Target, Times Square | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: IS ELVIS DEAD? – This being the weekend of Dia de los Muertos, I found it rather eerie to find this ageing ‘Elvis’ on the subway who got off at (of all places) Madison Square Garden. Does the king want to make one comeback tour like Cher? Does he want to recreate his 1972 Garden concert? Why does he look so perturbed – did he find out how much music acts are earning today? Does he even know who Madonna and Miley are? Before I got a chance to ask, Elvis had left the subway . . .
November 2, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 1972 concert, Cher comeback tour, Day of the dead, Dia de los Muertos, Elvis Presley, Elvis spotted in New York, fat Elvis, ghost of Elvis, Hans Von Rittern, Is Elvis dead?, Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, Mexican Elvis, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, photography, Spanish Elvis, subway | 2 Comments
Photo of the day: DEAD MARILYN ~ DAY OF THE DEAD – Day of the Dead / Dia de Meurtos is a fascinating holiday celebrated in Mexico October 31 and November 1 & 2. Even though this coincides with the Catholic holiday called All Soul’s & All Saint’s Day (Halloween), Mexicans have combined this with their own ancient beliefs of honoring their deceased loved ones. They believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them. I think this is wonderful. Elaborate altars are prepared with food and drink, skulls made of sugar, marigolds and lots of flowers, cigarettes for the departed and incredible folk art replicating and honoring their dear departed.
So on my annual trip to Tijuana, Mexico this August it was close enough for the approaching holiday that the Day of the Dead folk art abounded. Eagerly I shopped the markets – I saw dead Frida Kahlo of course, dead Elvis and my two treasures – dead Marilyn. Upon seeing them, my first reaction was with excitement. Second reaction with revulsion. Third reaction “I have to have them!” (Fourth reaction ‘Which do I choose?’) So here are my two hand made folk art Dead Marilyns (I’ve gotten used to them in my living room). Feliz Dia de los Muertos! .
PS – There was a short lived punk rock group called ‘Dead Marilyn’, I have the picture sleeve 45 tucked away somewhere.
November 1, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: angelitos de los muertos, arts, Day of the dead, dead Marilyn Monroe, Dia de los Muertos, fascinating holiday, Halloween, Hans Von Rittern, Marilyn Monroe, Marilyn Monroe folk art, Marilyn Monroe's death 1962, Mexican day of the dead traditions, Mexican folk art, New York City, Photo of the day, photography, punk rock, Tijuana, Tijuana Mexico | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM BABY DIVINE! – If ever there was a fierce drag queen, it was Divine! Born Harris Glen Milstead, star of cult films like “Pink Flamingos”, “Mondo Trasho”, “Female Trouble”, “Lust in the Dust”, “Multiple Maniacs”, “Polyester” and all time classic “Hairspray”. She has been copied ever since and will never be topped or duplicated. . . until now.
DIVINE in ‘Pink Flamingos’ 1972
I saw this Halloween tribute to her in the window of Two Boots Pizza in Greenwich Village. Tonight’s New York Greenwich Village Halloween parade is the largest in the world – our ‘carnival’. Filled with political satire, sex, gore, sex, humor, sex, and over the top creativity! Over 3 million participants and viewers and broadcast internationally. Only in New York !
Two Boots Pizza – 210 West 11th Street, Greenwich Village
October 31, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "Female Trouble", "Hairspray" movie musical, "Lust in the Dust", "Mondo Trasho", "Multiple Maniacs", "Pink Flamingos", "Polyester", Baby Divine, Born Harris Glen Milstead, Divine, Divine as Demon Baby, entertainment, fashion, Greenwich Village, Greenwich Village Halloween parade, Halloween Parade Greenwich Village, Hans Von Rittern, Harris Glen Milstead, largest Halloween parade in the world, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, NYC Halloween, Photo of the day, photography, Two Boots Pizza | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: THE CALM AFTER THE STORM – One year later after hurricane Sandy, the scene yesterday on Coney Island Beach was so serene, one would never know there had been chaos and destruction all along our coastline just a year before. Just a few strollers shell hunting on the windy beach. Most of the strollers were enjoying the sun on the boardwalk, sunning themselves while enjoying a Nathan’s hot dog. In November the rides will shut down awaiting the children’s laughter again in the spring of 2014. Hopefully time will heal the wounds of the heart and finances so that Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, as well as Ellis Island will be able to return to their former glory.
October 30, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 1 year later after Sandy, beach after the storm, beach erosion, Brooklyn, CALM AFTER THE STORM, Coney Island beach, Coney Island boardwalk, Hans Von Rittern, Hurricane Sandy, Manhattan, Nathan's hot dogs, New York City, New York photo, Palm tree fountain on beach, Photo of the day, photography, Queens | Leave a comment
Photo fo the day: EXPERIENCING THE ONSET OF THE HURRICANE IN NEW YORK CITY – 1 year ago today, I wanted to document the experience of a hurricane. I was blown down the street for two blocks several times, not having a thing to grab onto. But I made it to the water’s edge of the East River.
The statistics are: 820 mile wide storm, 13.88 feet high water, 44 deaths and then twice as many more afterwards, 2 million people without power, many neighborhoods today remain wiped off the map and over 500 people still don’t have any place to go. It has changed the city and people’s lives forever. Here is the storm in photos. (I don’t have the time or understanding how to post a whole albums of photos, so here is my link of the complete photo album on myFacebook page.) https://www.facebook.com/hans.vonrittern/media_set?set=a.437954789596068.95638.100001446524326&type=1
October 29, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 10-29-12, 5 Pointz Graffiti Museum, deserted city, deserted train stations, experiencing hurricane Sandy, Hans Von Rittern, Hurricane Sandy, Long Island City Queens, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, photographing hurricane Sandy, photography, Queens, raging waves on East River, Sandy devastation, streets of hurricane Sandy, Sunnyside | Leave a comment
Mondays on Memory Lane: HURRICANE SANDY LIVE VIDEO – It was 4pm, October 29, 2012, and I was determined to witness hurricane Sandy from the water’s edge on the East River. I was the only one on the streets, soaked to the bone.
This photo was taken from Long Island City, Queens. I braced myself against a cement bench to prevent myself from blowing away. United Nations, Trump Tower, Empire & Chrysler building in skyline.
See my YouTube video below:
October 28, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Chrysler building, East River, Empire State Building, Hans Von Rittern, Hurricane Sandy, Long Island City Queens, Manhattan, Manhattan skyline in hurricane, New York City, New York photo, Pepsi Cola sign, Photo of the day, photography, Queens, raging waves on East River, Sunnyside, United Nations | Leave a comment
Ladies and gentlemen, Grace Jones . . .
Photo of the day: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN – – – GRACE JONES – 1 year ago today, Grace Jones hit New York City with her show called “Hurricane” two days before the most disastrous hurricane ever destroyed parts of New York forever, hurricane Sandy. Eerily now in hindsight, the audience and I screamed and cheered in Grace’s defiance of the oncoming storm. None of us had any idea of what was to come. . . here is my review of that ironic and incredible night at Roseland Ballroom, which it was announced this week – Roseland be torn down, not due to hurricane damage, but torn down by greed:
“Thirty four years after the legendary performance of her 1978 concert at Roseland Ballroom, NYC – Grace Jones returned Saturday night, October 27, 2012 and gave what perhaps will go down as one of her most legendary concerts of her career. She has not changed a bit. At 64 years old she is an astoundingly fit statuesque Amazonian creature as she was then. When she asked “Who was here in 1978?” the roar in response was deafening. (I was there that night in 1978). Last night’s sold out concert crowd recreated the height of the atmosphere of the divine Studio 54 disco days. Extreme outfits were the norm. Glam, glitz, drag, shock and over the top seemed to be the order of the night.
Grace outdid herself for her die hard fans, even the Hammerstein Ballroom concert performance of July, 2009. She was more animated, loose, filled with naughty adlibs (Grace is obviously an oral sex fan). Roseland’s lighting crew was off their game for which Grace retorted with a flurry of quips, zingers and re-starts of her legendary disco and new wave songs. No dubbing, live for almost 2 hours! “Keepin’ it tight!” It was Grace unleashed.
Every move was a camera pose. Every gesture calculated to cause frenzy and cameras to go wild. She is still a fierce, angry, cocky sexual diva. Her legendary toned body is remarkable, her legs are longer than a Barbie doll’s, her ass firmer that a 30 year old. One of her songs was performed while consistently swirling a hula hoop around her waist and then while continually twirling and moving about the stage she introduced the band – constantly twirling! Lady Gaga, Britney, Madonna, Rhianna, Taylor Swift or any of the young acts today do not have the stamina of this remarkable icon. With a hard pounding rock/reggae beat flavored with disco and new wave, her mega hits did not disappoint. Ironically called “The Hurricane Tour”, Grace ended in defiance singing “Hurricane” while huge fans blew her about on stage and whipped the crowd into an ecstatic frenzy leaving euphoria in her wake.”
October 27, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 1978 Grace Jones concert, 2012, Broadway, celebrities, concert review Grace Jones, entertainment, fashion, Grace Jones, Grace Jones "Hurricane", Grace Jones audience, Hammerstein Ballroom, Hans Von Rittern, hurricane Grace, Hurricane Sandy, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, October 27, Photo of the day, photography, Roseland, Roseland Ballroom, Roseland Ballroom closing, Studio 54 disco | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: REASSURING THE SHORE – I am taking my German tourist guests on my 5 hour long tour of Brooklyn today, via Harlem Spirituals Tours. From the Fulton Ferry landing at the Brooklyn Bridge allllllll the way to Coney Island for a Nathan’s hot dog lunch – wunderbar! Our last and final stop will be the 5 Pointz Graffiti museum as a surprise ending 🙂
At Coney Island for the past few weeks we have been met by this long pipe snaking along the beach. Early in September the $7.2 million Army Corps of Engineer’s project to pump 600,000 cubic yards of sand along Coney Island’s shore began. Although the beach closed for the summer after Labor Day and red flags indicated no lifeguards were on duty, there were a few sunbathers and swimmers adjacent to the area where the work is getting underway.
While restoration work is going on, there were rolling closures of roughly 1,000 foot wide sections of the beach where construction work is active, according to the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE). The beach nourishment project extends from West 37th Street to Brighton Beach, and is expected to be completed in the fall.
Coney Island was hit hard by Super-storm Sandy and soon, its beaches will be well on their way to being protected against future flooding. There’s a ship out on the horizon pumping the sand from the ocean’s floor (and surprising a few startled crabs I bet) and pumping it methodically onto the beach where it is sifted and raked. You can hear the rumbling of the stones and shells as they go whizzing by inside the large rusty pipes lining the beach. Soon we will be enjoying pristine sand to stick our toes into! Join us?!
October 26, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: $7.2 million project to pump 600, 000 cubic yards of sand, Army Corps of Engineers, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn tours, Coney boardwalk, Coney Island, Fulton Ferry Landing, Hans tours, Hans Von Rittern, Harlem Spirituals, Hurricane Sandy, Nathan's original hot dog restaurant, New York, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, photography, pumping sand, Queens, replenishing beach sand | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: SEX IS BACK – (…I didn’t know it was gone!) But according to the Pleasure Chest Sex Shop at 156 Seventh Avenue in Greenwich Village, New York, apparently they have found it and brought it back to us, I am sure Justin Timberlake will be glad 
“I’m bringing sexy back
Them other boys don’t know how to act
I think it’s special what’s behind your back
So turn around and I’ll pick up the slack.
Take em’ to the bridge
[Bridge]
Dirty babe You see these shackles
Baby I’m your slave
I’ll let you whip me if I misbehave
It’s just that no one makes me feel this way
Take em’ to the chorus
[Chorus]
Come here girl Go ahead, be gone with it
Come to the back Go ahead, be gone with it VIP
Go ahead, be gone with it
Drinks on me Go ahead, be gone with it
Let me see what you’re working with
Go ahead, be gone with it
Look at those hips Go ahead, be gone with it
You make me smile Go ahead, be gone with it
Go ahead child Go ahead, be gone with it
And get your sexy on Go ahead, be gone with it”
October 23, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "Sexy Back" lyrics, 156 Seventh Avenue, Greenwich Village, handcuffs in window, Hans Von Rittern, Justin Timberlake, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, photography, Pleasure Chest, Pleasure Chest Sex Shop, porn store, SEX IS BACK, sex shop, Sex shop display window | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: MY SPEECH TO SAVE 5 POINTZ DIRECTED AT COUNCILMEMBER JIMMY VAN BRAMMER AND DEVELOPERS – On Wednesday October 2, 2013 both sides in favor and against tearing down Graffiti & Mural museum 5 Pointz, gathered inside City Hall for a hearing by the NYCHA – The New York City Housing Authority. It’s basically a side show/dog and pony show with the real estate developers always claiming tearing something down is “for the good of the community.” The owner, Jerry Wolcoff wants to build twin mirror glass apartment towers for which he will receive $7 million. Now you know me – I do not go quietly! Here is my passionate speech directed in part at my Queens councilmember, who is Christine Quinn’s lap dog and Mayor Bloomberg’s pet – Jimmy Van Brammer – who has stated he does not believe the magnificent powerful graffiti and mural works at 5 Pointz is “art” – and therefore in favor of tearing the building down. (When embarrassingly trapped by the truth of his statement at the hearing he said: “Well….I said I don’t quite understand it.” After also admitting he has rarely ever visited the site in his district.
rendering-5 POINTZ WOLCOFF TOWERS
SPEECH:
My name is Hans Von Rittern, born raised in Queens, licensed tour guide of 8 years. I have been hired by Harlem Spirituals Tour company to take European tourists on a 5 hour tour of Brooklyn. They marvel at the view from Fulton Ferry and thank me, they love Park Slope bagels and Coney island puts a smile on their faces. The endpoint of the tour is supposed to be hipster Williamsburg. I chose not to do that and end my tour at 5 Pointz as a surprise. When I get back onto the bus, each and EVERY single time they burst out into spontaneous cheers and applause saying “THIS is highlight of the New York tour”! “THIS is New York!”
I take tourists on “art tours” of galleries and or museums. When they reach MOMA’s PS1 they are bored and unmoved by the art. I say “come with me” and lead them to 5 Pointz and I always have trouble getting them back into our vehicle. This is an untapped rich resource that needs imagination of design and investment, NOT a quick buck, another mirror glass box and then get the hell out of there as fast a possible.
There are 2 ways to make money: The quick bang fix and run – or, the wise investment – for perpetual monetary return on your investment of restoring the building and let the artists go hog wild on the interior. Hipsters will kill for a graffiti-ed loft, stores would love the unmatched ambience and above all, CHARGE FOR THE ADMISSION INTO THE BUILDING AS A FULLY FLEDGED MUSEUM.
Muralist VERONIQUE BARRILOT makes her (final?) statement
‘Not a museum because it’s not “art”’, as some politicians like my councilmember Jimmy Van Brammer will say?
May I remind you:
Toulouse L’autrec – was considered street art and torn off the walls, today his street posters are considered the finest examples of classic art.
Matisse – was dismissed as “scribble,”
Picasso – was considered a crackpot for putting a woman’s nose where her ear ought to be
Warhol– not taken seriously at all, soup cans as art?! Own one today and it’s worth millions.
Keith Haring – used to graffiti at my subway station, I watched him get arrested. Today he hangs in MOMA and the cathedral of St. John The Divine.
Basquiat – was looked down upon as wanna be street artist. His work is now in the major museums around the world.
Yes, I fully realize this is not what the building was intended to become, but it has, it has become bigger than what you realize.
So who are YOU – to say this is not “art” and therefore not worth saving and investing in?
I should think greed alone would take over and try to save it.
Don’t have your names forever associated with the destruction of this building so all of you can make a “fast buck” rather than a wise “invested buck.”
Look back, which one of you doesn’t wish they owned a Warhol soup can now?
Well – you have dozens of them, right here in front of you.
Just because it is relatively new art does not make it less relevant art.
Remember all the fools that said the same of Lautrec, Warhol, Haring and Basquiat.
Will you be the same short sighted fools?
Fellow tour guide Andy Sydor testifying in favor of 5 Pointz
Reporter Greg Mocker of WPIX11 Covered the hearing, I can be seen testifying saying : “Yes, I fully realize this is not what the building was intended to become, but it has, it has become bigger than what you realize.” Here is the video link http://pix11.com/2013/10/02/nyc-council-hears-plans-for-iconic-queens-grafitti-building/#axzz2gfgASpxA
5 POINTZ WEB SITE: http://5ptz.com/
October 3, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 5 Pointz, 7 train, architecture, arts, Basquiat, Brooklyn tour, City Hall 10-2-13 hearing, CLUE-LESS POLITICIANS, Coney Island, CORRUPT POLITICIANS, Councilman Jimmy Van Brammer, Councilwoman Christine Quinn, European tourists explore Brooklyn, fighting city hall, freedom to paint, Fulton Ferry Landing, German tourists explore New York, graffiti, Great artisits once dismissed as garbage, greed vs. art, Greg Mocker, Hans Von Rittern, Hans' Brooklyn tour, Harlem Spirituals Tours Brooklyn Tour, Jackson Avenue, Jerry Wolcoff, Jimmy Van Brammer, Keith Haring, Long Island City Queens, Manhattan, Matisse, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, mural art, New York City, New York City Housing Authority, New York photo, NYCHA, Photo of the day, photography, Picasso, Queens, Sterling City Tours, street art, Sunnyside, The New York City Housing Authority, Toulouse L’autrec, VERONIQUE BARRILLOT, Warhol, WHAT IS ART?, WPIX11 news | Leave a comment
NEW YORK CITY - IN THE WIT OF AN EYE 