One on One

Today I venture out and start another subway line. The 1 line runs from Van Cortlandt Park–242nd Street in the Bronx to the South Ferry in Lower Manhattan. Today I will cover the 66th Street, 72nd Street, 79th Street, 86th Street, 96th Street, 103rd Street and 110th Street stops. I am very familiar with these stops because they are all in my neighborhood. The 66th Street stop offered some beautiful artwork it is called Artemis, Acrobats, Divas and Dancers, by Nancy Spero in 2004. Her artwork is of glass mosaic murals depicting scenes of theater, dance, and orchestra-related subjects scattered throughout this station. 72nd Street is one of my favorite stations not necessarily inside but outside of the station. Both entrances are beautifully constructed buildings. 86th Street also possesses some amazing artwork as well. Westside Views by Nitza Tufino in 1989. Artist Nitza Tufino in collaboration with Grosvenor House students glazed ceramic tiles depicting neighborhood scenes, located along the platform walls. The following stops 96th, 103rd and 110th street were somewhat similar so I caught some photos of the straphangers waiting on the platforms.

The last few stops on the D

This trip I finish the last stops on the D. However, I had to take the R train to get to these stops because the D only makes these stops late nights. I went to Union Street, 9th Street, Prospect Avenue and 25th Street in Brooklyn. Then after those stops I had to trek all the way to the last stop uptown which was 205th Street. I didn't have to go uptown too much this time on the D because I covered most of the stops on the B except for that one so this was totally out of my way. There was some artwork along the way at Union Street it is called CommUnion by Emmett Wigglesworth they were installed in 1994. The rest of the stations were pretty typical and hence I don't have much to write about on this blog. My next excursion will be the 1 train which is the local Broadway train. Until next time...

Coney Island along the D Line

I have been to Coney Island a few times before, first time being for the Siren Music Festival a few years ago when that festival was actually good. Then again with some of my friends from Denmark who were visiting in February and wanted to do a photo shoot out there. It was cool to see Coney Island in the winter but not soo cool or should I say freezing to be by the ocean at that time. I just remember my hands going numb to the point I didn't care anymore but the more and more I would try to combat the weather the harder is was for me to even push the buttons on my camera. It sure makes for a tough photo shoot. So I am here again in Coney Island in hopes that the renovations have started because Coney Island sure needs some fixing it up. I must say the station is absolutely beautiful and a little trivia for you this station is a major rapid transit station in Coney Island, Brooklyn, serving as the terminal for four New York City Subway services. It is the world's largest above-ground terminal facility, and notable as the most energy-efficient mass transit facility in the United States. The arches as you will see in the photos are reminiscent of classic European train sheds. The roof is covered with solar electric panels. The station uses most of their power from these solar electric panels. It is the largest renewable-energy enabled mass transit station in the United States (Wikipedia). I really had no idea the subways were making use of solar energy. This has to be one of my favorite stations thus far due to the amazing architecture. I felt like I was in a museum than a subway station. There were also murals all over the station that were of silk screened glass. These murals were installed in 2004 by Robert Wilson and are entitled "My Coney Island Baby". I will let the photos speak for themselves. As I exited the station I came upon the world of beach going locals, amusement park enthusiasts and hot dog loving people. Well, of course I had to go get a Nathan's hot dog. These hot dogs are world famous and a tradition of Coney Island. There is actually a hot dog eating contest every year on the 4th of July that is televised I believe on ESPN of who can eat the most hot dogs. I have the picture to prove it. I am starving at this point and wait in a long line for this famous hot dog some fries and a lemonade which all ended up costing me $8.00. $8.00!!!!! what??? for a hot dog, fries and a drink??? This have better be a damn amazing hot dog and the fries better equal it. Well I am not sure if it was my hunger or if it was a pretty great hot dog but I did enjoy it and pretty much had it down my throat in a matter of minutes. I looked across the street and noticed that there was some competition. Chicago's Hot Dog King made with Vienna beef. I just thought that was bizarre especially to be in NYC across from Nathan's. I mean come on...location, location, location. I can't say too much because I didn't take the liberty to actually try one due to being appalled by the eight dollars I just spent but the competition was a bit funny to me. Anyway, I proceeded to walk around for just a bit longer and see what was going on on the boardwalk. It was bit crowded for a Monday afternoon but it is the last week in August so that is understandable. Everyone trying to catch the last few days of summer and today was quite nice and a decent beach day. The only flaw was the overcast. I find Coney Island to be dirty and I feel it just needs a big renovation. I know it will take away from all the nostalgia but I think with a good cleaning and renovation it will forever live on. I have to say though it does have some great photo opportunities. I will let them to the talking....