The head of Transportation Alternatives, an advocacy group for cyclists, pedestrians, and transit, says traveling by bus or subway is egalitarian, less polluting, and this: “A reading commute is one of the great luxuries of a city where you don’t have to drive.” The rolling reading-rooms of New York. Produced with P&T Knitwear.
If this historian could go back in time and attend any of Lincoln’s speeches, he’d pick the Cooper Union address rather than the one you’d think: “Why go to Gettysburg and stand around for hours for a two-and-a-half minute speech?” Plus Lincoln’s choice of weapons when challenged to a duel. Presented with Roosevelt House.
After a lifetime as a lighting designer for theater and dance, much of it working with gels, she received this honor: “There was a color that was named after me. They don’t make it anymore.” And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. Presented with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Continue reading »
The chief theater critic of the New York Times is a model of sophistication, but she didn’t begin that way. “I was an extremely nerdy, very braces-wearing, awkward girl from Kansas.” Not just braces-wearing, very braces-wearing. The making of an analytical mind. Presented with the Hunter College Office of the Arts. Continue reading »
Having received many awards, this actor and playwright says that winning need not be so great nor losing so dreadful. “Some people can win something and lose their minds. I don’t know that losing has to be destructive.” We spoke at The Brick after a matinee of his solo performance in without mirrors. Continue reading »
This Harlem fashion icon owns more than 600 hats. “There were times I would leave my house, get down the hill, and recognize it’s the wrong hat.” She’d turn around and march back up that hill, with the dedication of a true artist. Harlem, history, and hats. Produced with the Maysles Documentary Center. Continue reading »
His research on the neuroscience of aesthetics suggests that people crave the human touch. “If they think something is made by a person, they like it more; if they think it’s made by a machine they don’t like it.” He does not mention Twinkies. Or the late Joan Rivers. Presented with the Viñoly Foundation. Continue reading »
This scholar says, “What made American fashion different is that it was to be wearable, comfortable, practical.” But not on the red carpet at the Oscars, she did not add. We spoke in conjunction with her exhibition Art X Fashion currently at the Museum at FIT. Continue reading »
I’m reluctant to declare an artist a success or failure. This Syrian-born composer and clarinetist has a better characterization: doing well. “Staying true to what I wanted to do, and leading a fulfilled artistic life.” And he does. Presented with the Hunter College Office of the Arts. Continue reading »
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is an Episcopal church and more, says its Dean. “I have Jewish, Hindu, Muslim friends who pray here, because it feels like a holy place.” My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations, said Jesus, quoting Isaiah, quoting God. Continue reading »
As portrayed by Michael Boriskin, director of Copland House. “I decided from the time I was in my mid-twenties that there was no such thing as a rival or a competitor, that we were all colleagues.” So modest, and yet so dead. A conversation from beyond the grave. Sort of. Continue reading »
Can architecture be witty? At that scale? At those prices? This architect ponders. “It can certainly be smart, and it can do unexpected things, which doesn’t necessarily make it witty. That might make it clever,” he says wittily. Presented with the Center for Architecture. Continue reading »
This playwright directed his When the Hurly Burly’s Done in Kyiv. “It’s about six young women putting on a play in the middle of a war, to be performed by six young women putting on this play in the middle of a war.” There was an opening-night air raid. Presented with the Hunter College Office of the … Continue reading »
The leader of the Willie Mae Rock Camp describes a device she uses to teach girls about blues and STEM: “It is a collision of culture and technology and future possibilities.” One of those robot vacuum cleaners? Her electronic banjo. Electronic Banjo! Continue reading »