I found it surprising that in you post on San Luis Obispo you failed to mention the Hearst Castle. When it comes to edifices of opulence that place is second to none. It's one of those tourist traps that you go to for a goof and end up being amazed.
Oh goodness, I am glad you mentioned Hearst Castle! God how I adore it! I've done two of the tours but have to go back for more. I'll add Morro Rock too to the list... and the old school Fosters Freeze still in town!
Homestead had another location on Austin Street in Forest Hills for many years but it closed several years ago. They often had stacks of Napoleon pastries in the front window. It was a wonderful place to get a sandwich if you worked in the area or deli noshes for the weekend (admittedly, I preferred Koch & Nord.) I know they tried to sell the Kew Gardens location a few years ago for $100K when the rent was $9K per month. I am said to see that now both locations will be closed. There is so little that is still available from my youth in the neighborhood.
I have a truly ambivalnt relationship with your work. I'm fascinated by your approach and what it reveals about who we are as a culture. But at the same time, I'm disturbed by the veneration of consumerism and marketing inherent in it.
I share that not as a criticism (I'm here, after all), but just because the When Harry Met Sally thing is a good illustration for it, and I'm always aware of that tension whenever I read your posts.
Is that something you deal with in your book? Because I'd be intersted in your thoughts on it, as I'm sure it's crossed your mind as well.
Hi Faith! Oh for sure. I've heard variations of this take before, so it comes as no surprise to hear it. I like the way you frame that, as a tension -- it's one I am aware of. I do have an abiding love -- perhaps weakness -- for these sorts of quirky manifestations of pop culture. The Hellmann's (Best Foods) ad campaign I think is actually clever and a nice reference to a shared cultural touchstone, at least as far as I see it. Advertising meets Hollywood meets iconic New York institution. Kind of ready-made for me. I totally got your point about the campaign earlier, too. I've always loved the consumery, over-the-top aspects of our culture, having grown up very deeply in the weeds of it, like so many have. I find the intersection of nostalgia and pop culture intriguing, too, and so things like the McDonald's Grimace campaign caught my attention. (I wrote a somewhat critical take on it at the time, even while still reveling in its inherent silliness and delightfulness, at least as I saw it.) This is a tension some see as the charm of what I do, and others don't quite get it but go along with it and can attach themselves to aspects of it, and still others just walk away when they see too much of that part of my work. I once had a reader loudly announce (well, as loud as one can be in an Instagram comment) that he was unfollowing me because I'd posted three times that week about a kitschy fast food place. So I do get that. But I've always strived to be authentic and not inhibit my instincts, even though I know inherently it may come off as dissonant. BTW, I really appreciate the comment ... it was very thoughtful and, for me, thought-provoking, which is what we are all here to do ultimately.
Reading your comment, I'm considering the similarity of what you're documenting to '60s Pop Art -- Warhol obviously, but also a host of others whose names are not on the tip of my tongue at the moment, but I'm thinking of the London School. The blurring of the lines between advertising and art.
I'm always most intrigued by your discussion and photographs of abandoned places. I suppose I see the obvious metaphor and the cautionary tale there -- the Wasteland that awaits us if we don't get our greed and consumption under control.
I think whatever else you're doing, you're documenting the decay of a culture. And that's a worthy endeavor. And I'm always about following one's passions -- that's how I ended up being a Beatles writer. I think that's the way to heal the world. If everyone focused on expressing their passion, we'd have no time for war or hatred or bigotry or cruelty. We'd all be too happy to bother with that nonsense.
I would have been just as terrified if I'd grown up near Calico! I'm hopeful the Bryant Park Grill will keep its vibe, but I worry it will change like Tavern on the Green did. I so miss the magical if over-the-top Warner LeRoy version!
Charlie Ackerman was a buddy of mine at the nursing home he resided at toward the end of his life and he was friends with Irving Chais who ran the New York Doll Hospital. I ran a couple of messages between them. Both members of the Greatest Generation who fought in WWII. Loved them both.
Oh Christina, what wonderful men of truly the Greatest Generation! What a privilege to have known them. I sadly never went to the New York Doll Hospital -- I had "patients" from my childhood who could have used Chais' TLC!
The Shirley Temple doll that Irving fixed back in the 1990s for my grandmother needs some TLC again and I don't even know where to take it now! Talk about a niche business.
The buildings and artifacts are all amazing but I've found over the years that the people behind them are even more interesting.
I have eaten at the Kowloon many many times and it's still the best.
And the giant cactus you mentioned ... that would have been the Hilltop Steakhouse. That was one of the more depressing closings in my life. It was there for decades and the food was great. It was gigantic and each dining room had a name, like Dodge City, Kansas City, Santa Fe, etc. You'd get a number and go to one of the bars for a drink and they'd announce you over the intercom: "Number 26 for Dodge City." I loved that place. I think at one point they served the most people or the most food a day in the entire country.
Amazing! One of my great regrets is missing the Hillside experience. While I'm grateful the sign survived, it will truly never be the same. (I could have added the Ferns Motel to the list -- the sign is there, or at least it was when I visited last year.)
I found it surprising that in you post on San Luis Obispo you failed to mention the Hearst Castle. When it comes to edifices of opulence that place is second to none. It's one of those tourist traps that you go to for a goof and end up being amazed.
Oh goodness, I am glad you mentioned Hearst Castle! God how I adore it! I've done two of the tours but have to go back for more. I'll add Morro Rock too to the list... and the old school Fosters Freeze still in town!
Homestead had another location on Austin Street in Forest Hills for many years but it closed several years ago. They often had stacks of Napoleon pastries in the front window. It was a wonderful place to get a sandwich if you worked in the area or deli noshes for the weekend (admittedly, I preferred Koch & Nord.) I know they tried to sell the Kew Gardens location a few years ago for $100K when the rent was $9K per month. I am said to see that now both locations will be closed. There is so little that is still available from my youth in the neighborhood.
Great comment and history to hear ... learned a bit. Never heard of Koch & Nord. Off to do some reading. Thanks Ashley!
All clowns are scary. 🚫🤡🤡🤡🚫
FACTS :)
congrats on the book!
I'm sad to see yet another piece of iconic culture co-opted into an ad, and for mayonnaise of all effing things.
Thank you! And I def see what you mean!!
I have a truly ambivalnt relationship with your work. I'm fascinated by your approach and what it reveals about who we are as a culture. But at the same time, I'm disturbed by the veneration of consumerism and marketing inherent in it.
I share that not as a criticism (I'm here, after all), but just because the When Harry Met Sally thing is a good illustration for it, and I'm always aware of that tension whenever I read your posts.
Is that something you deal with in your book? Because I'd be intersted in your thoughts on it, as I'm sure it's crossed your mind as well.
Hi Faith! Oh for sure. I've heard variations of this take before, so it comes as no surprise to hear it. I like the way you frame that, as a tension -- it's one I am aware of. I do have an abiding love -- perhaps weakness -- for these sorts of quirky manifestations of pop culture. The Hellmann's (Best Foods) ad campaign I think is actually clever and a nice reference to a shared cultural touchstone, at least as far as I see it. Advertising meets Hollywood meets iconic New York institution. Kind of ready-made for me. I totally got your point about the campaign earlier, too. I've always loved the consumery, over-the-top aspects of our culture, having grown up very deeply in the weeds of it, like so many have. I find the intersection of nostalgia and pop culture intriguing, too, and so things like the McDonald's Grimace campaign caught my attention. (I wrote a somewhat critical take on it at the time, even while still reveling in its inherent silliness and delightfulness, at least as I saw it.) This is a tension some see as the charm of what I do, and others don't quite get it but go along with it and can attach themselves to aspects of it, and still others just walk away when they see too much of that part of my work. I once had a reader loudly announce (well, as loud as one can be in an Instagram comment) that he was unfollowing me because I'd posted three times that week about a kitschy fast food place. So I do get that. But I've always strived to be authentic and not inhibit my instincts, even though I know inherently it may come off as dissonant. BTW, I really appreciate the comment ... it was very thoughtful and, for me, thought-provoking, which is what we are all here to do ultimately.
Reading your comment, I'm considering the similarity of what you're documenting to '60s Pop Art -- Warhol obviously, but also a host of others whose names are not on the tip of my tongue at the moment, but I'm thinking of the London School. The blurring of the lines between advertising and art.
I'm always most intrigued by your discussion and photographs of abandoned places. I suppose I see the obvious metaphor and the cautionary tale there -- the Wasteland that awaits us if we don't get our greed and consumption under control.
I think whatever else you're doing, you're documenting the decay of a culture. And that's a worthy endeavor. And I'm always about following one's passions -- that's how I ended up being a Beatles writer. I think that's the way to heal the world. If everyone focused on expressing their passion, we'd have no time for war or hatred or bigotry or cruelty. We'd all be too happy to bother with that nonsense.
Faith, wonderful comment, especially your last paragraph! Worthy of printing and framing, a message we all need to hear. Thank you!
I grew up in NJ not far from Calico the Clown. We moved there when I was 5 1/2, and that sign scared the heck out of me for years.
I also went to the Bryant Park Grill a number of times, particularly for office holiday parties. I hope JGV keeps the space intact.
I would have been just as terrified if I'd grown up near Calico! I'm hopeful the Bryant Park Grill will keep its vibe, but I worry it will change like Tavern on the Green did. I so miss the magical if over-the-top Warner LeRoy version!
Charlie Ackerman was a buddy of mine at the nursing home he resided at toward the end of his life and he was friends with Irving Chais who ran the New York Doll Hospital. I ran a couple of messages between them. Both members of the Greatest Generation who fought in WWII. Loved them both.
Oh Christina, what wonderful men of truly the Greatest Generation! What a privilege to have known them. I sadly never went to the New York Doll Hospital -- I had "patients" from my childhood who could have used Chais' TLC!
The Shirley Temple doll that Irving fixed back in the 1990s for my grandmother needs some TLC again and I don't even know where to take it now! Talk about a niche business.
The buildings and artifacts are all amazing but I've found over the years that the people behind them are even more interesting.
You said it ... it's all about the people, and they just don't make fellows like those two gentlemen anymore!
I have eaten at the Kowloon many many times and it's still the best.
And the giant cactus you mentioned ... that would have been the Hilltop Steakhouse. That was one of the more depressing closings in my life. It was there for decades and the food was great. It was gigantic and each dining room had a name, like Dodge City, Kansas City, Santa Fe, etc. You'd get a number and go to one of the bars for a drink and they'd announce you over the intercom: "Number 26 for Dodge City." I loved that place. I think at one point they served the most people or the most food a day in the entire country.
Amazing! One of my great regrets is missing the Hillside experience. While I'm grateful the sign survived, it will truly never be the same. (I could have added the Ferns Motel to the list -- the sign is there, or at least it was when I visited last year.)