It is Embarassing to Be Caught and Killed for Stupid Reasons
Though I miss the grime, and they've practically billboarded the theater to death, Disney pulled off a beautiful restoration of the New Amsterdam. For some reason, oddball poets had free rein over the 42nd marquees back in the day.
That photo MAY have been taken during the Times Square Show in 1980. An invite for it can be seen here: http://www.nyu.edu/greyart/exhibits/downtown/designs2.html.
As it says: "In June 1980, more than a hundred artists installed their work in an empty massage parlor near Times Square. Organized by Colab, the Times Square Show included graffiti artists, feminist artists, political artists, Xerox artists, performance artists, and everyone in between."
OR...I do remember many of the signs being used for this type of "poetry" sometime in the early 90's (maybe?) as theaters closed down and they sat there empty.
I also like the comparison photos very much, as you know often we find new super cool buildings all round looking all the same while it is the unique old ones that have real interest. Sad what I'm missing on your blog, I dont get out into the blogsphere very often.
It was part of a Creative Time exhibit. I wish they had kept the seedy buildings with the haiku on the marquees. http://www.creativetime.org/programs/archive/1994/42ndStreetYear2/42street/index1.html
KM, Why don't you scope it out and tell me when the Cheyenne pulls out of Dodge. Then I will be standing on the interstate, camera in hand waiting!!! Deal?
Though I miss the grime, and they've practically billboarded the theater to death, Disney pulled off a beautiful restoration of the New Amsterdam. For some reason, oddball poets had free rein over the 42nd marquees back in the day. 
25 comments:
I can't say I'm a fan of the new billboards replacing the marquees..
It is great to see how places get new appearance....Also the headline of your new post is interesting..
headline taken from the marquee. All the old marquees on 42d were used for these oddball sayings in the early 90s, before the development rot set in
Well, at least the theater is still there. It could've been much worse. I agree with Dusty, though, not a fan of those billboards.
"...se what is dominant in a culture to change it quickly."
Use, maybe?
"Lack of charisma can be fatal."
I work 'in Times Sq' for the past 8+ yrs and the change has been oh so very Disneyesque and not just to the theatres they've renovated and filled.
That photo MAY have been taken during the Times Square Show in 1980. An invite for it can be seen here: http://www.nyu.edu/greyart/exhibits/downtown/designs2.html.
As it says: "In June 1980, more than a hundred artists installed their work in an empty massage parlor near Times Square. Organized by Colab, the Times Square Show included graffiti artists, feminist artists, political artists, Xerox artists, performance artists, and everyone in between."
OR...I do remember many of the signs being used for this type of "poetry" sometime in the early 90's (maybe?) as theaters closed down and they sat there empty.
Yes, I took the pic in 1992, the day after the "42d Street Now!" renovation campaign began. but thanks for that history and info..
I love the work your doing with this before after comparison photos...
Thats it Ken. I remember walking down 42nd Street at the time and thinking how strange, but cool, those marquees were.
I love these before and after pictures, fun to look for the changes all around.
Oh, I love the old weird poetry marquis. Great comparative shots, KM.
Thanks for the visit ... I must remember to shoot Henry Miller's Theatre frontage
LOL, I wonder what that was about? I love comparison shots :)
I also like the comparison photos very much, as you know often we find new super cool buildings all round looking all the same while it is the unique old ones that have real interest. Sad what I'm missing on your blog, I dont get out into the blogsphere very often.
It was part of a Creative Time exhibit. I wish they had kept the seedy buildings with the haiku on the marquees.
http://www.creativetime.org/programs/archive/1994/42ndStreetYear2/42street/index1.html
I love all these before and after type photos. This theatre series is great.
KM,
You have a good thing going here. Keep it up. I thank Disney for the reno but they need to back off the signage a titch.
V
I'm going to take a semi-educated guess and say that marquee quote was from Jenny Holzer, a NYC word artist.
KM,
Why don't you scope it out and tell me when the Cheyenne pulls out of Dodge. Then I will be standing on the interstate, camera in hand waiting!!! Deal?
WOW!! They really did a nice job here Ken.
I am interested in the before/after photos you have here too Ken. - Dave
Love the before and after shots but I agree Disney well I'm not totally in favour of. Too sanitized for me.
very cool, imagining the days and seasons of these old buildings, neighborhoods and 'venues'..lol...wow, big changes happened pretty fast!
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