Apartment of Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O’Keefe

O’Keefe and Stieglitz lived on the 30th floor when the Marriott was known as the Shelton Hotel in 1925.  Stieglitz, 23 years O’Keefe’s senior, met the young artist when he put 16 of her charcoal drawings in an exhibition at his 291 gallery in 1916- unbeknownst to her. Her friend Anita Pollitzer had given then to Stieglitz to show, O’Keefe heard about it through friends, then came to the gallery to see them hung. Shortly after, Stieglitz put O’Keefe up in a small studio, and a few months later they were madly in love- breaking up his marriage to Emmeline (apparently he had a thing for homely women)…

They lived here for 12 years, and the breathtaking views influenced their work, it was here that O’Keefe painted the beautiful “Radiator Building, Night” in 1927.

Who: Alfred Stieglitz and Georgie O’Keefe

What: apartment

Where: 525 Lexington Avenue

Gato by Botero

This Cheshire-like fat cat that sits in front of  the 900 Park Avenue Building.  Known mostly for his plump sculptures and paintings of women, Fernando Botero’s bronze cat replaced an original Henry Moore sculpture in front of the driveway. The building is considered one of the ugliest on Park Avenue.

 900 Park can also be seen in the opening credits of Diff’rent Strokes, when Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges get out of the limo in the driveway of the building.

May Gary rest in peace….

Who: Fernando Botero

What: El Gato Sculpture

Where: 900 Park Avenue

Apartment of Piet Mondrian

Piet Mondrian lived in an apartment on this spot after fleeing the Nazi invasion of Holland then the London Blitz. Yikes. Inspired by the freedom of New York, he painted the famous “Broadway Boogie Woogie” in his tiny apartment, which is the only piece of his that I truly love.  Most of his works I find important to art history, but boring to look at. Broadway Boogie Woogie has movement. The varying grid work at once makes me think of a street map of the theater district, but it also captures the vibrant movement of the blinking lights and marquees of Times Square and Broadway. It is in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection, be sure to check it out!

Who: Piet Mondrian

What: Artist Residence

Where: 345 East 56^th Street

Warhol’s Townhouse

Built in 1889 by Plaza Hotel architect Henry Hardenbergh, Andy Warhol bought this modest townhouse in 1959 and lived here until 1974. In the early 1960s the ground floor was used as a studio, and it is considered to be the first “Factory”. He lived here with his mother (she moved back to Pittsburgh in 1970) and 25 cats, all named Sam. Warhol admired his mother’s drawings and penmanship, her handwriting can often be seen in his work made during the time they lived together.

Who: Andy Warhol

What: Townhouse, often thought of as the first Factory

Where: 1342 Lexington Avenue

Doris C. Freedman Plaza

The late Doris C. Freedman was a friend of the arts, she was Director of Cultural Affairs for New York City, President of City Walls, the Municipal Art Society AND the Pubic Art Fund. She fought to legalize residency of Soho artist lofts, and helped introduced the percent for art legislation, which requires large scale development projects to dedicate 1% of their funding to public art. Situated on the South East corner of Central Park, this plaza is dedicated to her, and is funded by the New York Public Art Fund. It hosts rotating (about once a year) large scale sculptures and installations- pretty amazing ones too such as Wim Delvoye, James Yamada, Sarah Lucas, Franz West and Juan Munoz.

What: Doris C. Freedman Plaza (public art venue)

Where: 59^th Street and Central Park South

The Met’s Period Rooms

Everyone knows The Met is the city’s most epic museum, with a vast collection from ancient to modern. I don’t have to tell you that it is a must see. I love to twirl around the period rooms alone, with my iPod, and day dream. My favorite is probably the interior from the Hôtel de Varengeville in Paris, circa 1740.

Also, in warmer months, go to the roof, have a glass of wine and check out the incredible view of Central Park and rotating exhibitions.

What: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Where: 1000 Fifth Avenue