Book 11 — New York — Summer 2002
The Byzantine Exhibit “Under the Stairs” at the New York Met was a revelation, and the Islamic Art rooms upstairs were wonderful too. Rayan, who I’d met in Turkey, was living in Riverdale. I stayed with her, went to the Met every day, and drew away the blues and anxiety about where, and how, I was to live. Before and after that trip was family time… a good summer after two years in and out of hospital, between America and Turkey.
NY MET / RODIN AT THE MET
The Burghers of Calais — This monumental bronze masterpiece by Rodin hits you in the face at the lunchroom. Calais in France was defeated by Edward III in the 14thC. The leading merchants of the town were hauled before him, expecting to be executed. Queen Philippa fell on her knees and begged Edward to spare them, and he did. It was my first experience rendering bronze— very difficult!
NY / DRUMS IN THE PARK
New Yorkers are lucky to have this green haven of water, trees and creativity.
NY MET / IVORY VIRGIN
Under the Stairs at the Met — Lintel fragment c400-550 — Big stone wall — Old silver St Peter actual size c550-600 bas relief — St Peter with short hair & a round, clean-shaven face starts here. — Bas-relief silver Saint w/broken halo holding cross — Bas relief ivory virgin – 2X size — c550 Constantinople
— Marble c900-1100 — Tapestry real size c300-500 —3/4 size bronze vessel c300-600 — Tapestry real size 500-800 —- Light, life, Kindle… Amen [in ancient Greek]— Real size rock crystal +silver 500-700
NY MET / DRAGON LAMP
New York Metropolitan Museum of Art- Byzantine Art “Under the Stairs” —- Real size angel bas relief ivory c500-700 — Juliet — Boot Village Leather in Soho — Bronze lamp real size c400-500 A foot meant luck — Sleeping silver Eros real size — Hanging lamp copper alloy real size c300 — Baby art students drawing the temple of Demdur — Down on 6th Avenue.
NY / THE HYDRANT
Street stuff in Soho — “Shuah, go ahead!” — DROP THE ROCK spray painted on the sidewalk / 6thAve, Soho
NY / LESLIE WITH MARTI
Leslie & her wedding gown from Morgan le Fey—– Now running a successful textile business in Scotland (Highland Natural Accents) she is another friend I’d met at Kybele in Istanbul. She was working as a banker and engaged to Marti from South America. A good day with girl friends.
NY MET / SILLY SHORTS
Sitting here in the cafe @ the Met looking out at Central Park & reading Lawrence Durrell’s Justine. I must be in Heaven. Drew this on the way there. —- New Yorker specs — Call Robert — Names Alp — Story Mike — Iran real size 700-800 BCE — Gauguin — Kevin Flutist Central Park —
More Met Mayan — Dumb-looking shorts in front of exquisite art — The art outside was as good as the stuff in the museum. Those shorts were surreal.