Lost New York April 28, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Lost New York, New York Histrorical Society, NYC, photography
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Truth be told we were on our way to the American Museum of Natural History – but when we saw 500 school buses parked outside I suggested the NY Historical Society across the street might be a more enjoyable experience. In we go to discover their new exhibit Lost New York had opened just 25 minutes before. For the next hour we explored what used to exist in this fine city. I remembered a few of the golden oldies but some predated my time. From the website “This exhibition invites you to explore the landmarks, vistas, pastimes, environments, monuments, communities, and modes of transportation that once defined this city. “Losses” include river swimming, high-wheel bike riding, elevated railways, the original Penn Station, the old Croton Reservoir, the Chinese Theater, Seneca Village, the Central Park Hooverville, the fake window decals of the 1980s, and Bowling Green’s monument to King George III.” It was a trip down memory lane and is open through the end of September, 2024. We also tried their new restaurant Clara and were pleasantly surprised. 
The World of Beatrix Potter April 21, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: nature, photography, baby animals, NYC, art, Art exhibit, Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit, Morgan Library
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The Morgan Library has a wonderful, informative exhibit about Beatrix Potter (1866 – 1943). She was an English writer, Illustrator, naturalist and way ahead of her time, conservationist. She is best known for her children’s books featuring animals such as Peter Rabbit, which was her first commercially published work in 1902. Her books, including 23 Tales and has sold more than 250 million copies. She was an entrepreneur and a pioneer of character merchandising. In1903, Peter Rabbit was the first fictional character to be made into a patented stuffed toy, making him the oldest licensed character. Potter’s books continue to sell throughout the world in many languages with her stories being retold in songs, films, ballet, and animations. Her life is depicted in two films and a television series. The Morgan Library is one of my favorite places to visit in Manhattan. It also has the best gift shop. This exhibit runs through June 9th. 
Buttons and Bows April 7, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Bows, Bowties, Fashion, Fashion as art, march madness, NYC, photography, The Museum at FIT
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Recently the Museum at FIT, presented Untying the Bow. The exhibition invited viewers to delve into the captivating world of bows and explored the impact of bows as they transcended their humble utilitarian origins to become a sophisticated and influential component of personal style. Untying the Bow was presented in three thematic sections: Form and Functions began by tracing the bow’s utilitarian origins. Status and Gender, explored the “bow’s” symbolism as a marker and subverter of status and gender. Finally, in Abstraction, the exhibition examined how the symbolism of bows has evolved into abstract forms and patterns. It was a fun, illuminating trip through the history of the Bow. It was very enjoyable. For those that are crazy, mad basketball brackets fans here is last year’s tribute to March Madness. 
I Can Buy Myself Flowers March 3, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Florals and Fashion, flowers, nature, NYBG, NYC, Orchid Show, photography
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I have been attending the annual Orchid Show at the NYBG for a number of years. This year’s inspiring show was like no other. The Orchid Show brings the catwalk to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in a fashion-inspired celebration of all things orchids. The bold fun designs of New York’s rising stars of the stitch with work by Collina Strada by Hillary Taymour, Dauphinette by Olivia Cheng, and FLWR PSTL by Kristen Alpaugh all fashionistas who have created dramatic, picture-perfect floral displays at the Garden that capture the orchid’s best side. In our Instagrammable world NYBG gives you a chance to “walk the runway” and show off your own personal flair, your love for orchids, and your fashion-forward connections to the natural world. Because florals are always en vogue at NYBG. My buddy was decked out in floral finery. The best I could do was switch out my usual black turtleneck for a purple one. I encourage you to go see this festive show which is on thru April 21, 2024.
Outfoxed February 25, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Chihuahuas, dogs, Fox Terriers, Mr. Pepe, Museum of the Dog, NYC, photography
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The Museum of the Dog has a fun new exhibit thru April. ‘Outfoxed‘ features Fox Terriers, both Smooth and Wire who have been among the most popular and versatile breeds; whether on the hunt with the hounds, in the field chasing rabbits, in the barn ratting or, these days, as a delightfully upbeat companion dog. While I am not a fan of hunts, I am a fan of this dog museum. ‘The exhibition Outfoxed: Fox Terriers and Friends explores the development of the breed, the variety of their jobs, and chronicles the many champions in the collection. The list of famous Fox Terriers in the show reads like a who’s-who in the history of the breed. Visitors will encounter portrayals of such notables including: Belgrave Joe, one of the early fathers of the breed, Cackler of Notts, the Duchess of Newcastle’s masterpiece, Caesar, Cackler’s son and Edward VII’s beloved companion, The Totteridge XI, Francis Redmond’s kennel as painted by Arthur Wardle and Maude Earl and Nornay Saddler, considered by many as close to perfection in the breed’. My own little Chihuahua, Mr. Pepe, bears no regal markings but as far as I am concerned he is Best in Show.
What’s Up Your Sleeve? February 11, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Fashion, Fashion as art, NYC, photography, Sleeves, The Museum at FIT
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Sleeves? Not Sure I have ever given sleeves a second thought until I saw this fun exhibit at The Museum at FIT. This space has been showing wonderful exhibits these past couple of years. This latest one is no exception. ‘What is a “statement sleeve”? The fashion media has regularly used the term for less than a decade, yet many of us can conjure images of what it describes: a sleeve style that is exaggerated, embellished, elaborately constructed, or otherwise eye catching to the extent that it defines a garment. Statement sleeves have been spotted on innumerable fashion runways in recent years, with no sign of waning. From puffed to ruffled, split to sheer, there is a style for everyone. The exhibit showcases nearly 80 fashion pieces from The Museum at FIT’s permanent collection – the majority of which are on display for the first time – and features the works of renowned designers such as Balenciaga, Tom Ford, Schiaparelli, and Vivienne Westwood. They are organized thematically or by complementary aesthetics rather than chronology. The exhibition highlights how sleeves serve as a vital mode of self-expression that reflects our gestures and movements, showcases their ability to indicate specific fashion eras and their related trends, and proclaims their role as signifiers of status, taste, and personality’. So what’s up your sleeve?
Unnamed Figures January 14, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: American Folk Art Museum, art, Art exhibit, NYC, photography, Unnamed Figures
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I saw this wonderful exhibit several months ago and thought that this being Martin Luther King weekend it was a timely post to share. ‘A vital American Folk Art Museum show reckons with centuries of erasure by uncovering historical records of the unnamed Black people depicted in artwork. Assembling paintings, drawings, photographs, embroideries, sculptures, ceramics and a wealth of archival material from the 17th through the 19th centuries, the exhibition surrounds representations of Black individuals with essential, eye-opening context. The NY Times reviewed this exhibit a few weeks ago and their words are much better than mine. The American Folk Art Museum is free and they always have wonderful, thought provoking exhibits. This exhibit is on view thru March. 
Beam Me Up! December 17, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: architecture, art, NYC, NYC skyline, photography, Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Santa, The Beam, Top of the Rock, VIP
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My good friend Robyn and I went on a 2.5 hour guided tour of Rockefeller Center (which actually lasted 3.5 hours) that included a fascinating history of their art and architecture. This VIP (which means a bit pricey) tour also includes exclusive access to one of Rockefeller Center’s hidden rooftop gardens with a view of the Saks Fifth Avenue beautiful holiday display and a unique perspective of St Patrick’s Cathedral. Plus an expedited entry and private elevator access to the Top of the Rock observation deck, The new Beam Experience that allows visitors to recreate the famed 1932 photo “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper,” showing 11 workers eating lunch on a steel beam high above Manhattan streets while 30 Rock was under construction and a Photo Pass. Plus, this holiday season, the VIP Rock Pass also includes exclusive, unobscured viewing of the Tree, plus the Santa Photo Experience and the Christmas Tree Photo. I admit I was giddy about the Santa experience since I had never had a photo taken with Santa. It was a full, memorable visit. If you have the time, I highly suggest it be added to your holiday plans. And yes..it is crowded.
Gingerbread Five Borough Bake-off 2023 December 3, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Gingerbread, Gingerbread five borough bakeoff, Museum of the City of NY, NYC, photography
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The second annual Gingerbread Five Boro Bake Off at the Museum of the City of NY invited 23 bakers out of the 50 that applied from across the five boroughs to create gingerbread displays on the theme of “Iconic New York”—creating distinctive buildings, places, or things that represent their neighborhood, community, or borough. The ’skinny’ on this exhibit is that there is 165 pounds of gingerbread, plus 161 pounds of icing and more than 105 pounds of candy. The smell is a bit overwhelming but a fun exhibit. It is on through January 15th. 
Shazam! November 19, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Center for Jewish History, comic books, NYC, photography, stan lee, super heroes, superman, the hulk, x-men
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During these troubled times it is important to know about history. The Center for Jewish History has a fascinating, illuminating and fun exhibit about super heroes, their creators and why they were created. In the 1930s and 1940s Jewish immigrants in New York were kept out of most respectable industries (anti-semitism was rife), so publishers, writers and artists created an industry of their own – comics. They also created its proprietary genre, superheroes, which they infused with various levels of Jewish signification. The preeminent creators in comic book history were all Jewish men — Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster (Superman), Bob Kane and Bill Finger (Batman), Wil Eisner (the Spirit) Joe Kubert (Sgt. Rock), Jack Kirby and Joe Simon (Captain America) Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (the Hulk, Fantastic Four, Avengers, X-Men and many more.) This is a wonderful exhibit for all ages. There is even a dress up photo op where you can don costumes, masks, capes and take your own super hero photos (and yes, I did partake). The exhibit runs through December 31st.
While at the Zoo 