From: David Buchanan (DBuchanan@ClassicalRadio.org)
Date: Mon Jul 07 2003 - 01:51:08 BST
Rick and all:
Here's one thing I learned from my trip to NYC, the hike from Bowling Green
to Columbus Circle must be at least six miles. No wonder he was sore the
next day. I think its "neat" that Broadway was built over an ancient Indian
trail. And that part of the Upper West Side, where he meets with Redford, is
celebrity central. I just got back yesterday and still have to let it all
sink in, but here are some thoughts...
RICK said:
................................The DQ of NY bubbles to the surface via our
industries and arts (when Pirsig says anything can be born here... he wasn't
talking about an effect of prostitution). There wasn't much DQ in those old
porn shops, just sleazy static patterns.
dmb says:
I'm a little hurt that you think I need to be told such a thing. I mean, you
don't think I'd spend the whole time in the tenderloin district, do you? I
was with my wife for our tenth, so there was just the one night with the
Prostitutes. Just kidding. (Good point about the shift to digital porn.)
Of course I was talking about the arts! I've already come and gone and I
loved it. Times Square is the center of the theater/tourist/media industry
and lots of porn really would be a bit of a train wreck in the scene. It
doesn't add anything to that. I'm glad they cleaned it up. But here's the
thing...
We went to see Cabaret, which is ABOUT sleazy outsiders, nazis and the
darker things. I'd even heard that this particular production turned up the
heat on all that to accomodate more contemporary sensibilities. It was kinda
lame. Oh, sure, there were top notch professional performaces and all, but
it was still kinda dull. You just can't be afraid to offend people if you're
stage Cabaret in NYC, or so I thought. It seemed to be aimed at tourists.
There was a flavor of suburban blandness in it. I guess that's why there is
OFF Broadway theater...
Rick said:
Maybe you could be more specific about what kind of 'edgy' 'out there' stuff
you're seeking. There are still plenty of wacky performers, raves, crazy
modern art, etc... Is that really what you're looking for?
dmb says:
I guess its mostly a matter of what one is "into", but I was struck by a
contemorary American Indian artist on exhibit at the Smithsonian by Battery
Park and Bowling Green. It was dark and surreal and seemed to express the
longing for animal myths, outrage and dispair. Its a "had to be there" kind
of thing, but I found a bit of what I was looking for in that experience.
I was moved in a totally different sort of way by some anti-folk musicians
at the Sidewalk Cafe in the East Village. I heard some fresh and amazing
stuff there. There was some edge in there. I got what I was looking for
there. Had more than a few laughs too. Love the East Village. Sat next to a
guy working on his motorcycle and talked for a while. Everybody was nice
like that.
Greenwich Village was still better that most places I've been, but there was
a little taste of the suburban blandness. Its a copy of its former self or
something. The "hipness" is too self-conscious or something. But it was
still my second favorite neigborhood in Manhattan. I don't know how accurate
these impressions are, or if I'm even able to detect DQ in such a way, but
that's how it hits me so far.
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