After getting in trouble for making photographs within the Rockefeller Center Plaza, I walked around to 630 Fifth Avenue and made this image which includes St Patricks Cathedral. Apparently tripods are not allowed within the plaza. I was able to get a few more images by just carefully leveling and balancing my camera on my backpack. No tripod, no problem.
My parents live in damp Portland, OR and for years my mom has taken great pride in cultivating, as odd as it may sound, a moss garden. As a kid, it was quite a treat to walk barefoot, on the soft moss, lay down on its deep green quilt, and look upwards through the big leaf maples to the sky above. That memory was sparked this past weekend in the lower east side of New York City at a converted warehouse building on Broome and Essex Streets with a visual demonstration for the much anticipated Lowline park.
Presented by AUDI in collaboration with Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation GSAPP, the demonstration runs through September 29th and is free to the public (although a suggested donation is always appreciated). Besides presenting the vision for the abandoned Delancey Underground space as an indoor park, the show demonstrates a key piece of technology–reflecting and channeling sunlight to illuminate the space below. In practice, the light is enough for plants, trees, and yes moss to grow. It’s a project I’ve been following for months, and I hustled over as quickly as I could on Saturday morning to check out the opening day.
I had the chance to speak with co-founder and Creator of the Lowline project, architect James Ramsey, who told me as long as the sun is shining its “always noon on the Lowline.” The unique array of panels, light reflectors, and accumulators always brings light in. I can attest, the light coming through the reflective channels is very bright! I carefully positioned my camera to shoot straight up, and (shocker) got some pretty interesting flare. I knew the light would be bright, but sunlight-bright I didn’t anticipate: you win some, you lose some, and continue learning (even when you think you know it all).
I deliberated for three days whether to post this image. First, it’s not entirely in keeping with the exterior subject that I’ve been covering between negative space and the buildings, and second, it’s not entirely accessible. I was granted special permission to position the camera directly below the focal point for the light. Photographically it’s probably not the best angle when the sun is out–who says you can’t photograph into the sun–but I had to do it because it’s straight up on the Lowline.
Regardless, I believe the subject in this image, the Lowline, is greater than any bad or amazing photograph can demonstrate. Below are additional images I made to satisfy my urge to support this project and give a more clear example of the concept. Hopefully James Ramsey and co-founder Dan Barasch’s vision will soon become reality and at least one abandoned section of NYC’s concrete jungle will become a bit softer, brighter, and reminiscent of the time we could lay down on our back, chill out, and look skyward.
The unassuming exterior of the three level 89,000 square foot Uniqlo flagship store on 5th Ave in NYC belies the $300 million 15 year lease (apparently setting a real estate record in Manhattan). I am not sure of the renovation parameters, but the overall facade is not my favorite for Straight Up. Apparently this doesn’t matter, as this place is insane during normal business hours, with hoardes of shoppers stampeding in and out for fast fashion bargains. Gotta hand it to them, the prices are pretty unbelievable. As an aside, I did have the opportunity to photograph interior installations in 2011 for their Heattech launch and Holiday display, designed by Lot71. The displays actually made the box store very dynamic and I even made a time-lapse. I’ll be curious to see how they top it this year.
The Bulgari store in Manhattan on 5th Avenue and 57th St is not for the light wallet. I had a project to photograph here last year for designed Mike Brown of Lot71 who created an unique installation for their then Fall/Winter 2012 collection. For those inclined to see how it looks, you can see my blog post here.
With the Mercedes-Benz SS13 Fashion Week here in NYC I’m dedicating posts to fashion brands. Here is Armani. The store on 5th Avenue with its arrays of vertical lights is a bit too much for me, but the space it and the surrounding buildings create is very intriguing. The lights actually help emphasize the windows and architecture in the neighboring buildings. For those interested in fashion, hop over to my other site and see the Straight Up commission I have this week.
Today’s image is in honor of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2013 Spring Collection happening in New York City this week. I photographed this in the AM today but had to cut my session short since the thick air finally turned to rain. So one shot it is–I’m sure to revisit this subject on a sunnier day.
This week’s posts will feature the brick and mortar structures and space surrounding the large fashion brand flagship stores. I begin with Louis Vuitton. Not only are their stores and products gorgeous, they are the epitome of luxury. The exterior treatment this season is inspired by Yayoi Kusama. Adorning the Louis Vuitton flagship store on 5th avenue on 57th street are a swirl of black polka dots which are simply stunning. This particular view also happens to show the Bergdorf-Goodman store, though less prominent.
The other reason I’m starting with Louis Vuitton this week can be seen at my other website Cameron R Neilson which features Fashion Straight Up. The Straight Up series has immeasurably influenced all my work.
