This is a view looking towards the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). This image gives some sense of the visual drama typical in this Brooklyn neighborhood. There are a number of elements which gives the neighborhood its unique atmosphere - vistas of three bridges with the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges looming overhead, the omnipresent waterfront, the breathtaking views of Manhattan, the light, the architecture of the large warehouse buildings and the cavernous feel of the streets. These elements, along with inexpensive rents and proximity to Manhattan, made it a natural choice for the migration of artists who began to inhabit the area in the 1980s. It still has a strong arts community, but gentrification has priced many out, a common scenario with most urban art communities. I have posted on the annual Dumbo Arts Festival in October, 2006 - click and of the following four links: Sink or Swim, Night in Bloom, Dumbo Arts Fest, Gallery View. There are a number of businesses in the area worth visiting (many well known): The Jacques Torres chocolate factory, Bargemusic, Grimaldi's Pizzeria, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, the River Café, galleries, etc. - click here for the DUMBONYC blog with extensive resource listings ...
Thursday, February 01, 2007
DUMBO
This is a view looking towards the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). This image gives some sense of the visual drama typical in this Brooklyn neighborhood. There are a number of elements which gives the neighborhood its unique atmosphere - vistas of three bridges with the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges looming overhead, the omnipresent waterfront, the breathtaking views of Manhattan, the light, the architecture of the large warehouse buildings and the cavernous feel of the streets. These elements, along with inexpensive rents and proximity to Manhattan, made it a natural choice for the migration of artists who began to inhabit the area in the 1980s. It still has a strong arts community, but gentrification has priced many out, a common scenario with most urban art communities. I have posted on the annual Dumbo Arts Festival in October, 2006 - click and of the following four links: Sink or Swim, Night in Bloom, Dumbo Arts Fest, Gallery View. There are a number of businesses in the area worth visiting (many well known): The Jacques Torres chocolate factory, Bargemusic, Grimaldi's Pizzeria, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, the River Café, galleries, etc. - click here for the DUMBONYC blog with extensive resource listings ...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
The light on the bridge is beautiful--a nice take on this scene.
I'm glad I just found your blog!
Great looking photo, very cinematic shot. Wish it was still affordable...
Great looking photo, very cinematic shot. Wish it was still affordable...
Very dramatic indeed! Great shot.
Love, love, love, love this part of New York, and ditto your photo!
As an artist, the process of gentrification seems innately unfair. The artists are all poor as churchmice... but they move into a neighborhood and 5 years later, all the bankers, lawyers and business tycoons all want to live there too.
But the artists never profit! They ought to work out some kind of co-operative owenership of property before they start working away at their next low rent destination!
Another great photo there, I like this one a lot.
Thanks all.
John - you are right. But it's like immigrant groups and musicians from long ago who had no vision of the future. Pioneers need to have a learn from the past and take steps to protect themselves. Most artists are not business oriented and too easy. They must pursue ownership as soon as possible.
Brian
You certainly know how to add drama yourself. Excellent pic!
Post a Comment