Since my last post, I went to the TriBeCa film festival with a few of my awesome co-interns. I didn't know a whole lot going into it, aside from the fact that we didn't really have reservations and were crossing all respective fingers and toes for rush tickets. The ladies told me we'd be seeing a film with Robin Williams, which I was pretty psyched about considering Hook and Mrs. Doubtfire may as well have been the background laugh track to my childhood. Somehow in the rush I forgot that film festivals have a kind of known reputation for underground, weird indie vibes; basically I'm telling you all that I saw one of my favorite childhood movie actors in a film as a sixty year old man cruising the boulevard for male prostitutes. It was different... But I kind of loved it after getting over the initial shock.
Last weekend I went to Coney Island with my besties from dorm life. I rocked my mermaid leggings since they haven't gotten much sunlight all semester (which is really a shame) and they made for some pretty hilarious photo ops on the beach. I rode the infamous Cyclone roller coaster and it was a blast, front row baby! Mirei, Amanda, and I also hit up the Coney Island Freak Shoe and saw some pretty sick sword swallowing and fire breathing. Pretty much just a typical day in the life of freaks I guess. Also we met the world record holder of eating the most glass. So uh, that happened. And I ate a Coney dog, because that's what DanDawgs do.
After the island we made a trip to the Guggenheim. Unfortunately, they don't allow photos above the main floor so I wasn't really sure what to do with my hands... Like the entire time. I'd been super excited for this trip all semester because it's pretty much the coolest museum in town. And all around. Probably even upside down. Frank Lloyd Wright designed this bad boy, and I was a fan. It was another day I appreciated art history with Mickelson, and relived class performances of Dada and Futurist poetry all throughout the five floor funnel. The building is a lot bigger than I would've guessed from the outside, with a lot of hidden alcoves that just sort of surprise you. Also since the floors are all set at an angled ramp and run into each other, some museum goers would argue that it distracts from the exhibits that you're there to see. I disagree, in that in many others I've been to it feels like there's a break in continuity between floors and at the Guggeheim, it was all one giant inter connected experience. I'm just saying...
I also stopped by the Museum of American Illustration at one point. I was really looking forward to finally seeing these exhibits since it had been acquired some cartooning and animation sections, but it was kind of disappointing. Still cool, just not quite what I was expecting. On the other hand I walked down a pretty large expanse of Fifth Avenue the other day just because it was so nice out and well, I felt like it. And lo and behold I stumbled across the New York City Public Library. It was pretty enough from the outside and I'm kind of a sucker for classical architecture so I ventured inside only to find what has hands down been my favorite display all semester: "Why Children's Books Matter". The designs were all very contemporary but integrated well with the existing architecture and lent themselves to interactivity. Also there was a pretty large focus on illustration and even a section devoted entirely to graphic novels sooooo I was pretty much hooked. Yay, serendipity!
This week was spent mostly just finishing up projects and tying up all the loose ends. In information design, I finished up my final project of an infographic laying out the Chris Christie "Bridgegate Scandal" pretty early so I finished the extra, voluntary project the professor assigned as well. In Digital Media II, I'm still adding finishing touches to the animated Weezer music video. And then finally in art therapy, we handed in our self boxes and completed the last student led session with a found objects sculpture, so now all that's left is an exam. It's crazy how fast this semester came to a close after weeks of not having class because of the weather.
Thursday I went out with a few of my friends to Webster Hall in New York City, which was definitely an experience. All the floors have different themes and Thursday night happens to be Ladies' Night, and you can never really beat free.
Yesterday was spent packing which was the most bittersweet hours I've had in a while. This semester has been beyond amazing, but over Easter I definitely started feeling homesick and I'm kind of ready to be back to a set routine and to be around everyone I've missed for so long. Who'd have thought I'd actually want to go back to Iowa?
Right now I'm waiting for NJ Transit to drop me off a the SHORE! And I took off work tomorrow for a few last hurrahs in the city and to finish printing my finals. I'll update you all ASAP, alas that finals lifestyle is the bane of my existence right now.
Stay golden, Ponyboys.
