Arnold Newman: What They Were Thinking
Arnold Newman: What They Were Thinking
Landmark West! celebrates its 15th Anniversary this millennium year, and we look forward to the challenges to come.
One of our major challenges will be the Lincoln Center area: the arts complex itself, which is now more than the 30 years old - the minimum for landmarking protection consideration; the traffic-choked, pedestrian-unfriendly maze fronting Lincoln Center; the unprotected 63-64 Street "missing finger from the Upper West Side/CPW Historic District (including 1926 Broadway – formerly the Goelet Garage, now the home of the Saloon and World Gym).
So, in the anniversary issue, we set the stage: see picture above and article below (neighbor Arnold Newman's historic photo); the Lincoln Center story; the reminder that government can work (Council Member Ronnie Eldridge, Preservation Profile).
But we don't wear single-issue blinders, and the Upper West Side is a lot more than Lincoln Center. Read Christopher Gray's Manhattan Valley piece, and Walter Cain's article on St. Michael's Tiffany stain glass windows, for tantalizing looks at some lesser-known treasures. Catch up on a couple of past stories – the good, the bad and the interesting.
Meanwhile, bask in the pleasurable glow from West 72nd Street's holiday season snowflake lights, back cover; and plan your lectures, walking tours, and summer reading.
Take a deep breath, and let's march on.
Arnold Newman, who has maintained his studio on West 67th Street since 1948, is one of the most widely exhibited, collected, and honored photographers working today. Newman recalled the 1950 photo-shoot: "Towards the end of the photo session in the basement of Rockefeller Center, I asked the assemblage about the impact of the project on traffic - since I lived around the corner, I had my doubts. Gordon Bunshaft said that he was glad I asked the question, but didn't answer it. My impression was that the others couldn't give a damn."
The photo celebrating Lincoln Center's architects dates from 1959. From left to right, Edward Matthews (SOM), Philip Johnson, Joseph Mielziner, Wallace Harrison (standing), John D. Rockefeller III, Eero Saarinen, Gordon Bunshaft, Max Abramovitz, Pietro Belluschi.