genre change. My plan this week is to focus on photography a little more and do some photo walks, because I have visitors from home. Two friends from the Augsburg photo community actually keep their promise to visit me and come to the city that never sleeps for a few days. Both have not been here for many years and see how the city has changed. Anyone who thinks that the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center are the highlights of the observation towers is wrong, the new stars are The Edge in Hudson Yard and the One World Tower. Both are of course on the agenda. But let’s start with the High Line first. This is a former freight train route seven and a half meters above the ground, which has been converted into a park. This urban playground features landscaped gardens and outdoor art installations, as well as breathtaking views of the New York skyline.
The High Line begins right at the Whitney Museum and ends after two and a half kilometers at a huge, copper-colored building, the Vessel. This is oval in shape and consists entirely of stairs connected by tiers. Unfortunately, it has recently become inaccessible and can only be viewed from below. It’s a good thing that the Edge Tower is right next to it with a height of 395 meters and a wonderful viewing platform. Photographically you can draw from the full here. And what the Edge does not cover in terms of motifs can be made up for by the One World Tower, which is about 150 meters higher. Here you even have a 360 degree panoramic view with the best view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty “Lady Liberty”.
The numerous parks, such as Washington State Park, are ideal for breaks in between. There is a lively hustle and bustle here with musical and dancing performances and many spectators and listeners who make themselves comfortable with packed lunches on the meadow. Not far from there, a few skater boys are practicing acrobatic jumps on their boards. When they realize that we are photographing them, they seemingly consciously place their jumps in our direction and obviously strive for aesthetic execution. Who knows who is behind the camera. Another phenomenon here, if you have a camera in your hand, you are often asked whether you are a photographer or even a journalist or even better, a trend scout looking for new talent.
Grafrather artist Claudia Hassel will be working in New York until the end of June. In the SZ she describes her experiences every Monday.
—Claudia Hassel is chairwoman of the artists’ association Fürstenfeldbruck, she lives and works in Grafrath.
(Photo: Private)
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