extraordinariness

  

[little apple in Big Apple]

Although I am very find of ordinariness, there is nothing like a big helping of extraordinariness to help me compare and contrast. (Before I go any further, though, I have to say I have a bit of a thing about the word 'extraordinary' as I cannot bring myself to say out loud. I think this is because I hear it so often in discussions and on the radio when it is articulated in a very theatrical way as 'extrorrrrrdinary' and is so over-used in some quarters that it often means the opposite.)

 

[old reflected in new, Park Avenue]

Anyway, something that is absolutely, truly, magnificently extraordinary with as many rs as you care to insert, is the architecture in Manhattan. Arriving in NYC is one of the most exciting experiences imaginable; all those sky-scrapers laid out on the long trestle table of Manhattan, looking like every film made in the city that you've ever seen. It is so cinematic that it has an air of unreality about it, as though it couldn't possibly have been build by ordinary humans.

 

[towards the older end of Fifth Ave]

But, of course, the architects and builders of Manhattan were, and are, both ordinary people and quite extraordinary visionaries, and on my recent visit I started to consider for the first time the types of personalities that commission, design and build these phenomenal structures.

 

[needle-thin apartment block near Madison Square Garden]

These are huge, imposing, revolutionary, exciting, awe-inspiring structures.

 

[Empire State Building]

And I am beginning to suspect that it requires a gigantic ego not only to conceive of such scale, but to convince others it must be built, and then see the project through to the very end.

 

[The Standard Hotel]

My guides to the huge buildings and massive egos were Eric P. Nash and the MAS book which are excellent. The former gives the the history, characters and battles, the latter ensures you never miss a good skyscraper when walking past it (shockingly easy to do after a while when you start to take it all for granted).

 

[attempts to humanise the Trump Tower]

My photos were all taken on an iPhone because I wasn't on my own and stops for photography weren't easy. But in fact it turned out that NY is the ideal subject for Hipstamatic fun and games; I have seen so many old/grainy/filmy/wierdly lit/cartoon/atmospheric films and photos of the city that it was interesting to see how the app captures so many recognisable effects.

 

[brand new, near Bryant Park]

 

['Atlas', Rockefeller Center]

 

[Rockefeller Center]

And here, to conclude on the subject of extraordinary visions and egos, is a list of my favourite Manhattan films, each with its very own visual style:

An Affair to Remember, Laura, Holiday, The Big Clock, Rear Window, The Thin Man, When Harry Met Sally, Manhattan, Easter Parade, North by Northwest, Barefoot in the Park, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Pickup on South Street, Annie Hall.

Comments

[Helen in Switzerland]

Great photos Jane! Happy Christmas shopping! - at least I assume that's some of what you will be doing!

[Mary de B]

Mmm, must watch Barefoot in the Park again!

[kat]

Loving the pictures, especialy the second. Hope you are having fun!

[Jane]

Or maybe the emerald city from the Wizard of Oz?

[Lisa]

Oh, yes - there is something about New York City! Although it's the only big city I've ever been in, so I can't compare it.
But the gray of it. The picture of Atlas reminded me of the last time I was there - we were coming along on a side street, and suddenly, in a break in a hedge, there was a lovely view of it; for some reason, it made a big impression on me, seeing it like that.

I hope you didn't only look up while you were there (here)!

[Erin]

Okay, I'll say it....This is an EXTRAORRRRRRRDINARY posting. An alternate title might be "Ode to New York" as you pay homage to its iconic structures with amazingly good photographs (from a phone; I find this fact extraordinary in itself!). I couldn't agree more with you on the excitement you feel in NYC. I'm sending a link to this post to my niece who is about to finish up her last semester there.
Thank you for this well-researched post honoring a city I have loved all my life.

[margaret poole]

I was there for 3 days in August with daughter & 2 granddaughters; (my son's daughter.) Hot but so much to see! View from Empire State Bldg. great but more crowded than I remembered. Must be great right now with stores decorated for Christmas. Have fun!

[Willow]

I hope one day to visit Manhattan. In the meantime, I content myself with Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco each of which has its own style of architecture. By the way, I received my copy of Interweave Knits yesterday and noticed a shout out to you in an article about knitting and needle craft bloggers who have made successful transitions from blog to book. You're even more famous than before.

[SmitoniusAndSonata]

You could use the Spanish "Extraordinàrio" . This sounds sufficiently extraordinary in the usual English conversation to satisfy all requirements .
(Extraordinary only sounds all wrong with a Scottish accent ..... and I was born in Glasgow so know whereof I speak ! )

[Neil]

I was completely amazed when I first arrived in New York at the absolute beauty of the city, especially if you look upwards. It reminded me straightaway of Venice.

[anonymouse]

watch out for bed bug infestation in NYC !!! they are all over the place even at the PLAZA hotel yuck , theaters etc..Otherwise enjoy !

[Virginia]

I always like looking at other people's shots of my city.

NYC is gorgeous, isn't it? It's also a total pain in the butt sometimes.

Last night the empire state building was lit up orange, purple, blue, red and yellow. It was amazing! I'd never seen it like that before.

[Rachel]

I am tempted to buy an iphone just for this application! Gorgeous photos, Jane!

I was having a similar moment this weekend, looking at all the detail and beautiful lines of the buildings all around me. I don't ever want to get so familiar with New York that I forget to look up, because looking up is where the magic is! The height, design of the buildings and the attention to detail shown to the parts that are never even seen by the naked eye demonstrates just how much architecture defines the spirit of New York - upwardly mobile, ambitious, innovative and classy. I don't think I could love living here more if I tried!

[Kay]

Thanks for this essay, Jane. Sometimes I take it all for granite. (Sic!)

[Mady]

As a NYer, welcome! Amazing shot of Atlas and 30 Rock!

[Debbie from Illinois]

Wonderful NYC photos! Now you need to come visit Chicago. :)

[Marybeth]

Your photos are "extraordinary" I am in New York every weekend taking photos with my iPhone,
but none compare to what you have captured here.