The Dakota

The Dakota has been a legendary residence for years. John and Yoko lived here, in addition to a zillion other famous people, including Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, Connie Chung and Maury Povich, Roberta Flack, Judy Garland, Steve Guttenberg (very important), Boris Karloff, Sean Lennon, Albert Maysles, Gilda Radner and a ton of other actor types.

In fact, in 1980, John Lennon was shot just outside by Mark David Chapman. Earlier in the day, Annie Lebowitz photographed the infamous John/Yoko Rolling Stone cover. Afterward, Lennon and Ono headed to the recording studio, stopping outside to sign a few autographs for fans, including Chapman.

When they returned home, they were dropped off across 72^nd Street, instead of in the Dakota’s courtyard. Ono ran ahead, but Chapman was waiting for Lennon. He shot him 5 times in the back, then waited for the police calmly.

Who: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and various other celebrities residence

What: The Dakota

Where: 1 West 72^nd Street

New York Times Capsule

I always loved the idea of the time capsule. There’s one I mentioned at the  1939 World’s Fair site in Queens, not to be opened until  6939 AD. There’s the one in my parents’ back yard that I buried for future kids that includes a slew of Garbage Pail Kids, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” on cassette, and Pop Rocks- my favorite candy at the time.

In 1999, the American Museum of Natural History decided to follow suit, and held a contest to design a time capsule that would remain on display a the museum- and not to be opened until the year 3000. 6939 AD, 3000 AD, these are some optimistic people.

Anyway, the winner was Valencian architect-engineer Santiago Calatrava, with his twisted and gleaming silver sculpture/capsule, which resembles an abstract infinity sign.

The contents of the capsule are sort of strange. First of all, the town of Fountain, Colorado had a large portion, as it was designated as the “archetypal suburban American town,” which included bar codes and an anti-shoplifting tag from WalMart (what the hell?!), a unicorn Beanie Baby, barbed wire, a firearms registration form, a pager, and dog tags. Basically proving to the year 3000 that Fountain, Colorado is primarily rednecks.

Other items include: a soccer jersey from Brazil, condoms from Zimbabwe, Penicillin from France, archives from New York Times Magazine, hair samples from a ton of people plus Dolly the cloned sheep, a bunch of books, Post-it notes and an Alcoholics Anonymous pamphlet, amongst a lot of other things. This is what was deemed important to preserve.

Hmmph.

What: New York Times Capsule

Who: Santiago Calatrava

Where: The American Museum of Natural History, 79 Street And Central Park West

Botero’s Adam and Eve

Fernando Botero is known for his luscious curvaceous figures in sculpture and painting, some just refer to it as “fat.” Trained as a matador and set designer, Botero has declared himself the “most Colombian of Colombian artists,” and has flourished since he moved to Spain in the 1950s.

His large and in charge bronzes are scattered in public spots around the globe (a large collection is on Museum Island in Berlin), and here in New York, tow of them greet shoppers at each escalator at the mall like Time Warner Center. Named Adam and Eve, they tower over visitors at twelve feet tall. Eve may be a little jealous, as attention seems to focus on Adam- and his penis.  And the desire to, touch it…The public’s fondling of his nether region is not only a prime photo op, but has also left the patina shiny and gold. How’s that for gold member.

Probably the only time anyone will say that Botero’s sculptures are groin-grabbingly good.

Who: Fernando Botero

What: Adam & Eve sculptures

Where: Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle

Chagall’s Murals at Lincoln Center

In 1966, master painter Marc Chagall painted to enormous murals for the Metropolitan Opera, entitled “The Triumph of Music” and “The Sources of Music.” The murals, considered New York treasures, were painted in Paris then sent to New York. They are visible from the plaza of Lincoln Center. Having a long relationship to opera, Chagall also painted the ceiling of the Paris Opera, as well as set murals for the Magic Flute here in New York.

Sadly, due to the recession and serious budget cuts for the arts, the Metropolitan Opera had to collateralize both murals for a loan to supplement their 2009-2010 season.

Who: Marc Chagall

What: Murals- ““he Triumph of Music” and “The Sources of Music”

Where: Lincoln Center, 132 West 65^th Street

Eleanor Roosevelt

A throw back to the traditional style of public art, the bronze statue, is Penelope Jenck’s statue of Eleanor Roosevelt at the entrance to Riverside Park on the Upper West Side, which was formerly an on ramp for the Henry Hudson Parkway. Dedicated by Hilary Clinton, Eleanor Roosevelt is the first American woman for whom a statue has been commissioned for a city park. She sits atop a large chiseled boulder, pensing about bon bons or world peace.

Who: Penelope Jencks

What: Statue of Eleanor Roosevelt

Where: Riverside Park, 72^nd and Riverside Drive