Category: close-up

Image and Icon

  • Karel Martens
  • Art Institute of Chicago

When viewed at a distance, unfortunately difficult to do in the long hallway where this was displayed – but the long view below will give some idea, this image by Karel Martens gives an impression of a skyscape with fluffy cumulus clouds, but it is made up of these little glyphs, like in a half-tone printed image.

St Luke in the Fields Garden

Seeking to whisk my wife away from our ongoing pandemic solitude for an afternoon I consulted Atlas Obscura for something new to see. As a 60-year denizen of the city it’s getting harder to find new things and many venues are, of course closed for the pandemic (and many may, sadly, never re-open). The Atlas recommended the Gardens of St Luke in the Fields, “a quiet and contemplative oasis in the middle of New York’s bustle and riot.” We have, of course passed by on the street many times without realizing there was more to go in and see. From the description there was much to see and many gardens to explore. And while, as I hope these pictures will attest, the Garden is lovely, much of it is not open to see. The area we walked on a raw and chilly Spring afternoon was too small to provide much escape from the bustle and noise of the surrounding streets or the Garden’s many visitors, all there no doubt with the same fond hope as us. I’d still recommend it if you find yourself in the area.

Click any image to see them all enlarged.