Board Games December 22, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: American Folk Art Museum, art, Art exhibit, Board Games, checkers, chess, Chutes and Ladders, Monopoly, NYC, Percheesi
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Games have become BIG! I would imagine that you and your friends are wordle-ing, crossword puzzling, Scrabbling, Monopoly-ing, and all of the other newer digital games available today. One of my favorite museums in NYC is the American Folk Art Museum. Their current show Playing with Design: Gameboards, Art, and Culture, demanded two visits by me and I loved it both times. From the fabulous collection of Bruce and Doranna Wendel, it features over 100 game boards dating back to the 18th century. The exhibition includes early examples of classic games of Parcheesi, checkers, and chess, as well as hand-painted iterations of Monopoly and Chutes and Ladders made in the United States between the mid-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. This fascinating exhibit is on through January 26th, 2025. FYI – the wonderful exhibition at the Shed, Luna Luna has extended its run. It is now on through February 23rd and I encourage your going to experience it.
The Season of Wreaths December 12, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Arsenal Gallery, art, Art exhibit, NYC, NYC Parks Dept., photography, Seasonal, Wreath Interpretation, wreaths
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I go to this fun exhibit every year. The NYC Parks’ annual Wreath Interpretations exhibition returned to the Arsenal Gallery. This year’s collection of wreaths was created by artists, designers, and creative individuals of all ages who have used inventive and unexpected materials to re-envision the traditional holiday decoration. The Arsenal Gallery is located on the third floor of NYC Parks’ Headquarters in Central Park, on Fifth Avenue at 64th Street. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., except holidays. Admission is free and this art exhibit is open through January 2nd. 
Luna Luna December 8, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Andre Heller, art, Art exhibit, Basquiat, Dali, David Hockney, Hudson Yards, Keith Haring, Kenny Sharf, Lichtenstein, LUNA LUNA, NYC, photography, The Shed
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This fascinating article in the New York Times (November of 2022) tells the story of how this 1987 artistic treasure, LUNA LUNA , conceived by artist Andre Heller was lost, then found, then hidden in storage in Texas and recreated by a handful of visionaries and a rapper named Drake yes, that Drake, came to be. We went last Thursday and had a delightful visit to this fun, fanciful, musical artistic experience. You need about an hour or so to experience the depth of the art and the story. It is at The Shed in Hudson Yards and is on through January 5th. It is fun for the whole family. 
A Cultural Icon November 17, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Barbie, Black Dolls, Icon, Ken, Museum of Art and Design, NYC, photography
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The Museum of Art and Design has once again delivered a fascinating, fun and informative exhibit. Barbie®: A Cultural Icon charts the 65-year history of Barbie and the doll’s global impact on fashion and popular culture through an expansive display of more than 250 vintage dolls, life-size fashion designs, advertisements, and other ephemera, along with exclusive video interviews with the doll’s designers. On two floors you can trace the evolution of Barbie from a child’s toy to a global icon, exploring the style trends, careers, and identities that Barbie has embodied and popularized since her debut in 1959. I was in High School when Barbie was created and was way past playing with dolls – after all, it was the ’60’s and we were doing other things. The opening section relays the Barbie origin story and presents all twenty-two original ensemble outfits, while subsequent areas consider the influence of the Space Age; the creation of Christie™, the first Black Barbie doll; the arrival of Ken™; and the creation of the Barbie Dreamhouse™. You will also see Barbie in the iconic fashions of the 1970s, including Groovy Style, beachwear, and disco-themed designs, while sections on the 1980s and 1990s present a selection of diverse Barbie dolls representing a range of ethnicities, body types, and careers, including a feature on the first Black Barbie. The exhibition culminates in the 2000s, spotlighting the continued diversification of characters within the Barbie universe and connecting them to contemporary fashion trends, perspectives, and identities. And yes, that is me, the Octogenarian Barbie at the top the page (you are never too old to be an Icon, right)?This exhibit is on thru March 16, 2025. 
Pets and the City November 3, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Audrey and Roberta, Flaco, Ming the tiger, Mr. Pepe, nature, NYC, NYC pets, NYHS, Pets and the City, photography
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We went to the New York Historical Society (that has questionably rebranded itself as New York Historical) to see their new exhibition called Pets and the City. Most of us remember when police were called to get Ming the tiger out of a bathtub in the Bronx in 2001, those amazing service dogs at 9/11 and recent history involving Flaco the Eurasian eagle owl’s life after a vandal cut through his enclosure and released him into the wilds of Central Park. The exhibit covers lots of ground and is thoroughly enjoyable. It explores the visual history of New Yorkers and their ‘animal companions over the last two and a half centuries, tracing the evolving relationship between Gotham’s people and its animals as the city grew increasingly urbanized and industrialized.Through a broad spectrum of works of art, objects, documents, memorabilia, and clips from film and television, the exhibition surveys the evolution of pets—from their presence among the Lenape and Haudenosaunee and the hunting culture of settlers through their insinuation into the urban family and onto the pampered pets of today, which enjoy their own public rights. Drawn largely from The New York Historical’s collections, Pets and the City also investigates the reasons for the soaring pet population, especially after 9/11 and during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as issues surrounding pet adoption, the trafficking of exotic animals, and service animals’. The exhibit can be seen through April 20, 2025. Speaking of pampered pets – my Gang of Four can be seen in the bottom photo. If you do not know them already, please meet cats Audrey, Roberta and Pete and our very special dog, Mr. Pepe. Trust me – they are living their best lives.
October Surprise October 31, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, costumes, Happy Halloween, Jack the dog, Madison the cat, Mr. Pepe, Pepe Potter, photography
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An October surprise for you. We love Halloween here at Casa Lobo and have been celebrating it since the beginning of time. Here is a photo montage of my extremely wonderful pets over the years. No animal was harmed in the making of these photos. Lots of treats were had by all. A shout out to Madison, Sweet Benny, One-eyed Jack, Audrey, Roberta, Pete and of course, the very photogenic Mr. Pepe.
Byzantine Bembe’ October 13, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Byzantine Bembe, diaspora, Manny Vega, mosaic, murals, Museum of the City if NY, NYC, photography
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The Museum of the City of New York is filled with wonderful exhibits year round and I make it a habit of going several times a year. This last visit introduced me to the colorful, musical, artistic world of Manny Vega. He is an American painter, illustrator, printmaker, muralist, mosaicist, set and costume designer. His work portrays the history and traditions of the African Diaspora that exist in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. His mosaics and murals adorn street walls, subway stations, cultural centers, and business facades throughout East Harlem. Many of these works celebrate important figures—particularly women—in the history of the Puerto Rican and Latinx communities. His style has been dubbed “Byzantine Hip-Hop” for his uncompromising technical command that encompasses ancient Mediterranean mosaic-making and the electrifying lines of hyper-detailed Sharpie pen-and-ink drawings. As part of the Museum’s centennial year celebration, Byzantine Bembé: New York by Manny Vega explores his visual storytelling as it interweaves community stories with themes that range from African deities to urban mythologies. Deeply rooted in an idiosyncratic understanding of the diaspora experience, which in his case includes communities in El Bronx, El Barrio, and Bahia, Brazil, Vega’s worldview is colorful, danceable, passionately spiritual, complex, yet accessible. The show marks the Museum’s commitment to its thriving neighborhood as it looks ahead to its next one hundred years. Vega has been their artist in residence for this calendar year. This beautiful exhibit is on through December 8, 2024.
Flowers Make Us Happy October 6, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Artiste, Fleurs de Villes, flowers, Hudson Yards, nature, photography
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Flowers make us happy. We expect to see flowers in the spring but there is a special joy in seeing them pop up in fall. Hudson Yards once again presents the flower show Fleurs de Villes. This year the theme is ARTISTE – a floral series paying homage to remarkable artists spanning various disciplines. Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE features 15 fresh floral mannequins, each created by a different florist and inspired by accomplished artists from disciplines such as ballet, impressionist painting, literature, culinary arts, opera and more. From contemporary visionaries and trailblazers, to Masters throughout history, Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE celebrates art in all its forms. This beautiful display is on through October 13th on the first level at Hudson Yards. Go and smell the roses! 
Day Trip and Fall September 15, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, Art exhibit, Four Freedoms Park, Nellie Bly, NYC, photography, Roosevelt Island, Tram, travel, Views
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It was Friday the 13th and my pal Robyn and I were off on another NYC adventure (what could go wrong)? We took the Roosevelt Island Tram and headed to what was supposed to be some type of pop-up flower/exhibit/sale event. I realized I hadn’t been to Roosevelt Island in over 20 years where my NYC Marathon buddies and I would train with its magnificent views. A lot has change in 20 years but the old smallpox hospital was still standing. Lots of new housing and the exceptional Four Freedoms Park dedicated to Franklin Delano Roosevelt had been built. We took our time absorbing the stellar views of Manhattan heading towards the original flower goal. As we got closer to the flower part we realized the line was way too long. Neither Robyn nor I are good at lines so we decided to just circle the island. It was hot, but we persevered. Walking to the northern most part of the island we saw the wonderful Nellie Bly Park, public art and the old lighthouse. Heading back to the tram I somehow got tangled up in a wayward dog’s leash and down I went (just like Frazier)! Collective screams and curses could be heard. After assessing if anything was broken we got me situated and headed back to the safety of Manhattan. It was not exactly the day we had planned but adventures can be surprising in many ways. And really, what was I expecting on Friday the 13th? Enjoy the views.
The Great Elephant Migration September 8, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, art, Art exhibit, Meatpacking district, NYC, photography, The Great Elephant Migraton, wildlife
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If you watch the CBS Sunday Morning show you probably saw last week’s story about this exhibition and these wonderful animals. Well, they are now here in NYC (in the Meat Packing District) and they are a marvel. Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face as you wander through this life size herd. You get close to — and even touch — 100 life-size sculptures of Indian elephants which are beginning a cross-country journey. The Great Elephant Migration traveling art exhibition aims to spread awareness about conservation efforts. The herd consists of replicas of real-life elephants personally known to The Coexistence Collective — the community of around 200 artisans in southern India who made them. Conceived a decade ago by The Coexistence Collective, a nonprofit that helps protect Indian wildlife, the sculptures were first shown in London and India before coming to the U.S. They were in Newport, R.I., before arriving in Manhattan last week. From here they will head to Miami, the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana and finally Los Angeles.The organization is planning to sell the elephants off to raise funds for 22 conservation organizations around the country as the tour progresses. Organizers said 30 sculptures had already been sold off, with prices ranging from $8,000 for a baby elephant to $22,000 for the largest tusked specimen. Sales at each site also help support a local nonprofit organization; in New York, it is the Wild Bird Fund. The enormous, life-like sculptures are made out of lantana camara — a tough, invasive weed that’s been encroaching heavily upon the elephants’ natural forest habitat, pushing the animals onto tea and coffee plantations where they live in much closer proximity to humans. Ruth Ganesh, a trustee of Elephant Family USA hopes visitors will learn more about how important it is for animals and humans to negotiate shared space, as more places become uninhabitable for both owing to direct human destruction and the impacts of human-caused climate change. I am sure I will revisit exhibition many times before they move on October 20, 2024 to their next destination. I included a map to help you negotiate. While in that neighborhood you can easily check out the always terrific Whitney Museum and my favorite walk, the High Line. 
While at the Zoo 