Ray Johnson

“Raymond Edward Johnson (1927–1995), known primarily as a collagist and correspondence artist, was a seminal figure in the history of Neo-Dada and  early Pop art. Once called ‘New York’s most famous unknown artist,’ Johnson also staged and participated in early performance art events associated with the Fluxus movement and was the founder of a far-ranging mail art network – the New York Correspondence School – which picked up momentum in the 1960s and is still active today. He lived in New York City from 1949 to 1968, when he moved to a small town in Long island and remained there until his suicide.”    - Wikipedia

He was an unbelievably talented, unique artist with a truly interesting story.  If you’d like to learn more, watch How to Draw a Bunny, the documentary made about Johnson.  You won’t be disappointed.

The Boxes of Joseph Cornell

“Shadow boxes become poetic theaters or settings wherein are metamorphosed the element of a childhood pastime.” – Joseph Cornell

Joseph Cornell was not a sculptor, a draftsman, or a painter. He never had professional training. He was first and foremost a collector. He loved to dig through old book shops, flea markets, and junk shops all over New York in search of beautiful, but forgotten objects – souvenirs, theatrical memorabilia, old prints and photographs, music scores, French literature – with which he would create his treasures.

 

 

 

The boxes are meant to enchant.  To evoke ideas, memories, fantasies, and dreams; to create a feeling and an emotion that is child-like and playful, but overwhelmingly meaningful at the same time.

Three of the Best Sweet Treats on the LES

I moved down to the LES/Chinatown recently, and have since discovered some unique NYC treats that are actually worth it.  Sure, you will be confronted with the occasional line, and yes, you might have to loosen your belt buckle just a bit, but I promise you these treats are worth indulging in!

Economy Candy - 108 Rivington St., New York, 10002 (212) 254-1531

Economy Candy has been on Rivington Street, on the Lower East Side, for the last 71 years. It looks like what it is – a proper old-style candy store, down to the barrel of scoop-your-own peanuts. The shop has everything you could ever dream of.  From the most delicious candies of today (Jelly Bellys galore, everything Wonka, more licorice flavors than seems possible, and even the Harry Potter treats) to those that have been nearly forgotten (Mallo Cups, Valomilk, French Chewy Taffy, Turkish Taffy, and Abba Zabbas); they also have an endless array of homemade dried fruits and nuts, in addition to some of the most dangerously decadent and endlessly tempting chocolatey creations (chocolate covered smores, mmmm).

The Doughnut Plant - 379 Grand St, New York, NY. 10002 - (212) 505-3700

The Doughnut Plant has turned me into a doughnut convert.  Their doughy, delicious creations are quite simply out of the world.  With sixteen different options, there is something here for everyone’s taste, and any sort of mood. Blackout, for the chocoholics; carrot cake, for the non-traditionalists; tres leches, for the sweet tooth sophisticate; lavender for the “health conscious;” and crème brûlée for any occasion.  You just can’t go wrong!

The Chinatown Ice Cream Factory - 65 Bayard St., NY, NY 10013 (212) 608-4170

Okay, so Chinatown isn’t exactly the Lower East Side, but they are so close I’m throwing this spot in for good measure, and the walk over will give you a little exercise to justify your indulgence!  When I think of Chinatown, ice cream is certainly one of the last things that comes to mind, but this place is the exception.  They have incredible ice cream, with some exotically Chinese flavors – Lychee, Avocado, Zen Butter (peanut butter ice cream with toasted sesame seeds), and Taro – but it is certainly worth it to be adventurous here!  And if you aren’t in the mood for something different, I guarantee you’ll be happy with any of their sweet and creamy basics.  The Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is so loved, they even have their own sneaker!

 

Comic Book Culture NYC

I don’t know how many readers actually frequent comic book stores (I don’t), but I recently visited St. Mark’s Comics with my little neighbor William, and we were both blown away (he more so than I of course!).  From the actual comic books to graphic novels, the action figures to the clothing, there is something in these stores for everyone, I guarantee it.  Whether you seek them out, or simply find yourself in the neighborhood and need to kill some time, go check out some of these great NYC comic book stores listed below and let your inner nerd run free!  I starred by favorites …

Chameleon Comics
3 Maiden Lane FL 1, New York, NY 10038 (212) 587-3411

Cosmic Comics
36 East 23rd Street FL 2, New York, NY 10010 (212) 460-5322

**Forbidden Planet
840 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 (212) 473-1576

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Four Color Comics
115 West 27th Street FL 8, New York, NY 10001 (212) 675-6990

Funny Business Comics
660 Amsterdam Avenue # B, New York, NY 10025 (212) 799-9477

Gotham City Comics Inc
800 Lexington Avenue FL 2, New York, NY 10021 (212) 980-0009

Its Another Hit
131 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001 (212) 564-4111

**Jim Hanley’s Universe 
4 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001 (212) 268-7088

Manhattan Comic’s & Cards
228 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011 (212) 243-9349

**Midtown Comics
200 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018 (212) 302-8192

New City Comics
836 West 181st Street, New York, NY 10033 (212) 928-3186

Roger’s Time Machine
207 West 14th Street FL 2, New York, NY 10011 (212) 691-0380

Sleep of Reason Comics
47 West 8th Street FL 2, New York, NY 10011 (212) 982-7901

**St Marks Comics
11 Saint Marks Place, New York, NY 10003 (212) 598-9439

Village Comics
214 Sullivan Street 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10012 (212) 473-3010

And in the way of super cool, unique “toy” stores that sell artist-designed figurines, toys, and clothing, and various other imports from the East check out the following shops …

Kid Robot

118 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012 (212) 966-6688

Toy Tokyo

91 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003 (212) 673-5424

Kinokuniya Book Store

1073 Ave of the Americas, New York, NY 10018 (212) 869-1700

Alexander Calder’s Circus

Alexander Calder is an artist best known for his amazing mobiles.  But one of his lesser known, but equally incredible creations is the Cirque Calder - a miniature circus of wire figures and creatures created by the artist in Paris between 1926 and 1931.  Calder’s fascination with the circus began in 1925 when he spent two weeks sketching at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.  A year later he began to make the first characters of Cirque Calder, giving miniature performances for friends all over Paris.  Everyone was so impressed and amused by the circus, and Calder had so much fun making it himself, that he continued to work on the project for five more years.

At its height, the Cirque Calder consisted of dozens of wire-frame acrobats, trapeze artists, exotic dancers, a knife-thrower, sword-swallower and performing animals which were rigged with thread, pulleys, cranks and springs to tumble, gallop, lift, gyrate and even catch each other in mid-air!  Calder spent most of the 1920’s and 1930’s travelling between North America and Europe putting on shows with his “circus in a suitcase.”

Made of wood, bronze, cork, fabric scraps, beads, and bits of jewellery, each figure and animal in the performance has its own personality. Each performer is the perfect mix of toy and sculpture.  Some of the most incredible figures include the weightlifter, who can bend, pick up a set of weights, straighten up and put the weights down; the trapeze artists who can swing and catch each other in mid-air with precision; the ambulence unit who are able to walk when pulled by a thread; and the horses pulling chariots that mimic galloping while their charioteers bend back and forth in the act of whipping them.

Cirque Calder is on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York where it is on extended loan.

Whitney Museum of American Art

945 Madison Ave. at 75th St.
New York, NY 10021
(212) 570-3600

Papabubble

Papabubble is a quiet and easy-to-miss candy shop wedged between the tourist-laden Italian restaurants and hole-in-the-wall Chinese eateries dotting Broome Street. This is not your typical candy store; there are no name brand products, or cheesy displays, just incredibly beautiful (and of course tasty) candy, all of which is created on premises!

Papabubble is a totally unique creation that was born in Barcelona, Spain in 2004.  Since then, the store has acquired an international audience, with in Europe, Asia, and NYC. Part kitchen, part mad scientist’s lab, this is the only candy shop in the city where you can witness the candy making process right in front of your eyes!  Glass panels cordon off the steel tables of this “candy lab,” with the materials of its creation close at hand – flasks filled with mysterious neon liquids, brushes, Popsicle sticks, graters, ladles, and spatulas.  

But you don’t only have to watch.  There are lots of delicious treats to buy at Papabubble as well.  The wall is lined with shelves displaying the goods which include beautifully jarred candies, lollipops, candy rings, and miniature bite-sized candies in the most incredible colors and patterns. You can buy specific flavors (the most popular flavors being strawberry and passion fruit), or jars of various mixes, like the Medical Mix (with hospital-related designs like a red cross or an ambulance), or the I Love NY Mix (with each candy meticulously bearing the name of one of the five boroughs).

Come by to watch the candy making take place, and buy some treats afterwards.  Whether you get some for yourself, or a friend, this is sure to be the most beautiful candy you ever eat!

Papabubble

380 Broome Street, New York NY 10011 (between Mott and Mulberry streets; map)
212-966-2599
papabubble.com