Are We There Yet? Walking Through Time

Overview

When I first began this assignment, I was quite perplexed. How could I possibly show the passage of time through photographs? I thought about the objective quite literally, automatically assuming it meant to show how time passed as I took my walks. But then I thought of an even bigger picture. Why don’t I show how time has passed over hundreds of years in New York City! New York is a place that has been around since 1624, and back then, it was nothing near what it is today. The amazing thing about New York is how you can clearly see the different time periods by just looking around, especially in the architecture. Since the first building was constructed, New York has been a work in progress, and it continues to be just that. That’s why I chose to show the passage of time in the city itself. I focused on trees and ivy leaves scaling the buildings and showing how long they’ve been there. I found small details of rusty railings that have evidently been painted over time and time again. I pointed out the clash between old architecture and new architecture and the incredible dynamic they create when placed next to each other. I even found some construction sites, which brought me back to the title of the project: are we there yet? No! We are never there! We are always changing, always growing, and always evolving.

Walk 1

My first walk was my straight walk that began by Madison Square Park, down Fifth Avenue, and all the way to Union Square Park. Although I got some wonderful shots of old architecture and the arch at the park, this was the least exciting walk for me. The pictures were the least dynamic because of the fact that it was a straight line and the city’s grid system allowed you to see so far. A lot of the same buildings appeared in all the images, making it less interesting. However, it is where I found a lot of construction that intrigued me and brought me back to the title of the project itself, like I mentioned before.

Walk 2

My second walk was the one through the West Village. This one was probably my favorite. Walking through the West Village made me feel like I was transported to another era. The buildings were old and not nearly as tall as the ones many of us are used to seeing in the city. The architecture and small, simple details really captivated me. I also got to see the apartment building from Friends, one of my favorite TV shows. It was both exciting, and interesting. The show is around 20 years old and still loved an entire generation later, and it was set in our own backyard. Walking through the Village I also found little treasures like Gay Street and Grove Court. Tiny little places that don’t even feel like Manhattan. Thins like those small nooks, the odd format of the streets, and all the old-time details all around show how long this place has been around and how much history it has. As I was walking I crossed a street where a cobblestone road meets a modern cross walk. I almost walked right passed it, but thought it was such a cool detail. It literally shows the divide between old and new. It shows how time has passed and how we have changed, but still remember and appreciate the past.

Walk 3

My third walk was the diagonal walk that connected where I exited the West Village and brought me all the way back to Madison Square Park. I didn’t expect much from this walk, but I was pleasantly surprised. On this walk, I saw a lot of the old buildings of the West Village merge with the newer, cleaner architecture. What better example of time passing could there be? The contrast between the buildings also made for very interesting photos. It was here where I grabbed shots like the one with lots of buildings overlapping and the Empire State Building poking out the back. It shows so many examples of time periods. From the old lamp post, to the stubby red brick apartments, to the intimately detailed windowpanes, the art-deco style of the Empire State, and modern architecture here and there, everything blends beautifully. I also captured a shot of an old building with an ad painted right onto the side of it. I got this photo just as a cab with an ad on top drove past. It shows how, along with everything else, the way we advertise has changed. Here I also got photos of rusty railings painted over, old bikes, and ivy-ridden buildings.

 

 

 

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