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June 7, 2007
We left the house at 7 am after a brief panic caused by our kitty escaping through the back door. The ArtPoints tour had begun.
At the LAX, Delta arranged the perfect LA sendoff for us. We were astonished to be greeted by a Mariachi band playing with full energy at that early hour. It was a fiesta to inaugurate a new non-stop service to Tijuana. We applauded each number enthusiastically while absorbing breakfast burritos. The flight was easy.
We checked into the Lorelai B&B on a leafy street of Victorians in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. Our room is cozy and clean. Brooklyn is still an entry point for immigrants to our great nation. The streets are full of Halal butcher shops and restaurants, Sari shops, Jamacian jerk chicken joints and Hispanic corner markets.
The Lorilei B&B
Our gracious innkeeper, Robert directed us to “the Farm on Adderley” for dinner. The place was packed. The short menu featured fresh seafood, a few carefully chosen meat and vegetarian dishes. I had yellow fish with chopped snow peas and beets in a divine slightly tart sauce. Jim had a hamburger on an English muffin with lovely fries. We both cleaned our plates. We loved it so much, that we ate there the next night.
Our innkeeper, Robert surprised us with an unlimited use card (left by a previous guest) for the subways, so we were set to go. The Newkirk station is three blocks from the Lorelai, took the Q train to Union Square, transfer the 6 train to 77th. Walking up Flatbush Ave to the museum, we were amazed by Union Square: an immense Civil War memorial that looked like the Brandeburg Gates in Berlin.
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June 8, 2007
The Brooklyn Museum is housed in a venerable brick building with a modern entrance plaza of glass and steel. It is the home of the Elizabeth A Sackler Center for Feminist Art and a permanent installation of , “The Dinner Party”, Judy Chicago’s iconic work from the 1970s. I had seen “The Dinner Party” several times over the years in temporary installations, but was not prepared for how moving it would be here. The triangular room is dark with rows of ceiling lights reflecting against dark glass walls seeming to extend to infinity. I felt suspended in space and time as I slowly walked the immense three-sided table. I could almost hear the dinner conversation of the artists, mystics, and scientists represented by the handcrafted place settings. Many of these visionary women were isolated in their own time. How wonderful to imagine them together able to bridge the time, space and language.
Brooklyn Museum of Art
The contemporary exhibit: “Global Feminisms” showcased the work of a new international generation of feminist artists. The voices of young African, Asian and Latina all spoke of common themes. The work is powerful, sometimes so much so, that I had to catch my breath and move on. It seems that every generation of women must grapple for the first time with what it is to live in a woman’s body, to try to live authentically within their culture and time.
We were astonished by the fine permanent collection of Native American and pre-Colombian Art. Totem poles, Haida mask and some of the best Peruvian textiles I have ever laid eyes on.
We refreshed ourselves the late afternoon with a long stroll in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden next door. It was the perfect day for adjusting to New York time.
June 9, 2007
Our day in Manhattan
The “Met” of course. We intended to see the Cloisters too, but did not allow for the hour-long bus ride from the Metropolitan Museum to get there before the 5:15 closing.
For a Quicktime video of the entrance to the "Met" Click Here
Back to Brooklyn with aching feet for the evening.
Jim’s son, Gabe took us to The V Spot, and outstanding vegan restaurant. The atmosphere, young and artistic. The patrons: diverse. The menu: extensive. The food: fabulous. This is the spot if you want to please everyone.
The V Spot Brooklyn's Premier Vegan Restaurant
Gabe had a burger, sweet potato fries, and chocolate cheesecake. Jim had empanadas and I had the tortilla salad. It was all great. You cannot do better than this café.
Downtown Brooklyn is famous as an art district and bohemian haunt. Because of gentrification and the resulting increase in house values much of the bohemian residents have moved on. Nevertheless, the institutions, restaurants and shops that were founded by this population persist. One of the institutions, located next to the Brooklyn Art and Music Center is the BAM. The Brooklyn Music Academy. After dinner at the “V” Spot we walked to the BAM where a free music performance is presented nightly. A popular place for the young hip crowd, we waited behind a velvet rope until we could be allowed in. No worries, this was not the place where only the sharp dressed and attractive were allowed entrance, we went in when someone left.
The music was brilliant; experimental music based on near-eastern themes and instruments by a strongly feminist Iranian woman. The crowd was cool, the room was amazing with arches lit in beautiful fashion and the music was profound
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052
(718) 638-5000
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org
Suggested Contribution: $8; Students with Valid ID: $4; Adults 62 and over: $4;
Wednesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1000 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
718.623.7200
http://www.bbg.org
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
New York, New York 10028-0198
212-535-7710
http://www.metmuseum.org
Subway stop: 77th on the 4,5, and 6 lines
The Loralai Bed and Breakfast
667 Argyle Road
Brooklyn, NY 11230
646-228-4656
http://www.loraleinyc.com
Innkeeper: Robert Seidel
Subway stop: Newkirk on the Q or B line
A 40 minute cab ride from JFK, fare: $44
Lovely, clean, cosy B&B. Reasonable rates, gracious hosts, safe, multi-ethnic neighborhood.
Subway travel time to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan: 1 hour.
The Farm on Adderley
1108 Cortelyou Road
Brooklyn, NY 11218
718-287-3101
http://www.thefarmonadderley.com
Subway stop: Newkirk on the Q or B line
Wonderful bistro-style local restaurant. Reasonable prices, Seasonal menu, Vegetarian options, can accommodate for vegans.
The V Spot
156 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-622-2275
http://www.thevspotcafe.com
Subway stop: Atlantic on the Q line
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