MoMA, Coney Island, Brooklyn Museum, party

It was Saturday.

Rasanah and I awoke and had breakfast at the diner below my apartment. Then we headed out to the Museum of Modern Art, aka MoMA, to spend a fantastic couple of hours soaking in furniture, photographs, paintings and sculpture. I particularly enjoyed the photographs, although I felt uncomfortable taking pictures of other people's pictures, even though there didn't seem to be a rule against it. Instead, I took photos of pieces like Australia by David Smith, pictured above. Having spent a few weeks Down Under in March, I naturally recognized immediately the depiction of a leaping kangaroo. Well, not immediately ... more like after reading the description. But then it was clear.

But MoMA isn't just about visual art; it's also about aural art. Observe Days by Bruce Nauman:

My frustration in the video is not genuine -- it was actually a pretty cool exhibit, and hard to forget, which is, I think, a worthwhile accomplishment for art.

After the museum, we went to Coney Island to celebrate the 30th birthday of my friend and future roommate Suzanne. I'd never been, but it was pretty close to what I expected -- old-time rides and games, with snacks and people parking by the beach and hanging out on a pier. The group had hot dogs at Nathan's Famous. In New York, (some?) restaurants are required to divulge calories, which is not assuring information at a place that touts its chili cheese fries, hot dogs and giant beers. I totally ate those things anyway. Suzanne shot a freak at the Shoot The Freak booth, pictured at left.

After Coney Island, we went to the Brooklyn Museum of Art, where they have a later-hour party on the first Saturday of the month, with drinks and a DJ and so forth. Plus all the exhibits are open. I really enjoyed the 19th and 20th century fashion display on the fourth floor:

And, finally, we went to a house party near the museum. A long but wonderful New Yorky day. Now we're off to brunch to meet up with one of my friends from Dallas who happens to be in town. I just feel like there's no limit* to what I can do in the Big Apple!

*Please send money.