New York Daily Photo Analytics

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

La Vie En Rose



Note: Please click and play audio link to accompany your reading.


One of my fondest memories was seeing the Cherry Blossom festival in Washington, D.C. as a child. This was my first big family vacation, and to be in Washington on a perfect spring day with pink blossoms everywhere and a parade with all the stately buildings in marble as backdrop was just exquisite.

Pink is not a color typically associated with New York City - the color pink has had a large number of associations in the course of history. At one time, pink was considered to be a color associated with boys and blue for girls. More recently, pink has been associated with negative gender stereotypes, so a city that prides itself on being edgy, dynamic and fast paced is not going to embrace pink as the school color. If you had to choose a color to represent New York, black would come to mind before pink.

But what can elevate the human spirit more than flowers and pink blossoms on a spring day? What can be a better palliative for what can at times be a hostile and caustic environment?
Not to worry, however. New York City has pink if you want it. See my story and photos here about the Pink Ladies.

If you want pink blossoms, you can find them here too. On April 25, 2007, I wrote about Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival (May 2 & 3), a weekend celebration and Hanami, a month celebration of the Japanese cultural tradition of enjoying each moment of the cherry blossom season (April 3- May 2). See more information here.

Secretly, I think many New Yorkers love pink but posture to only show a passing appreciation for perhaps a blossom or flower. One solution is to deliberately wear pink in spite of any consideration that it may be too benign - in itself an act of rebellion. However you have to do it, why not, at least for now, enjoy La Vie en Rose? :)

9 comments:

Fashion Schlub said...

I'm being killed by beauty this week! Every picture of a spring flowering tree is more anguishingly beautiful than the last!

Regina said...

This is just...wow!

elizabeth said...

i'm not gonna lie... that just made my day. thank you. :)

Janytime said...

Gorgeous spring beauty! I so enjoyed the music!! A wonderful visit; I shall return . . .

Anonymous said...

I come by often and love your dedication. This entry was just amazing, thanks for your talents!

nonny.mouse said...

Such a beautiful photo, it made my day. I've just found your blog and love that you post so many different views of NY, not just the 'expected' images. I really appreciate that you share your stories as well.

Leslie said...

The photo is utterly delightful, and the music divine. Ah, what a treat!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Brian. Lovely. Love the accompaniment

Brian Dubé said...

Regina - why thank you!
Elizabeth, anon, Janytime, nonny.mouse, Leslie, Mary - you all just made my day too!