Saturday 12 June 2010

Chilling at the weekend


My day of many venues was punctuated by several art fairs, ending in the Figment arts festival on Governor's Island, reached by a free water taxi from the south tip of Manhattan. (see link at the bottom of the page). Unfortunately I ran out of camera battery, but as it's on all weekend I'll be going back tomorrow. However on the way I encountered the 'NY BBQ Bloc Party' at Madison Square Park - A two day event, of locally brewed Heartland beer, BBq masters from all over the States and of course some good old rocking R'n B' on the sound-stage. Every park bench and inch of grass was covered in people just out having a good time in the sunshine, tapping their toes or licking their lips to the sounds and tastes of summer.

From there I wandered down to Union Square, home to artists most days of the week and busier than most on Saturdays. Ceramics, African Art, re-cycled art, charcoal sketchers, Native American artists, print makers, they're all there - and they are all interesting and talented. I was particularly taken by Eleanor's prints, some of which used Betty Page, and were fairly elaborate in the process of sketching then embellishing. Decisions decisions, Betty Page fridge magnets or Hand made ceramic plaque taking the P out of Andy Warhol? - the plaque won.

After that I happened upon one of the many summer street fairs that take place over the summer weekends here. They're mostly an excuse to eat drink and be merry with a bit of ethnic shopping thrown in for good measure, but they have there quirky sides too, and come complete with cold home-made lemonade at a $1 a glass.

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