Autumn in New York

I’ll never get tired of saying it: There’s no place like New York.

I just returned from another long weekend trip to my home state, where I enjoyed a little time in The City with my NYC resident grandchildren and then headed north with them to explore the Hudson River Valley together. The Hudson River Valley is a beautiful stretch of land that runs along the Hudson River from New York City up to Albany, full of small towns, farms, wineries, and hiking spots, all surrounded by rolling hills and mountain views. The area has a laid-back vibe but tons of history, great food, and a vibrant arts scene.

In both The City and The Country, architectural details provide me with creative stimulation. Who knows when these images, stored on my phone and in my consciousness, will surface: Custom home, addition, remodel.

Our first stop was at the famed Storm King Art Center, an outdoor museum set within 500 acres of magnificent rolling terrain in New Windsor. The day was sunny and brisk, perfect to wander among large-scale, monumental sculptures. I was thrilled to see this one, aptly named “The Arch”, by Alexander Calder, who has long been one of my favorite artist/sculptors.

Some playful family members add to the sculptural ambiance:

This massive painted steel sculpture by Louise Nevelson, “City on the High Mountain”, captured my eye. Would you believe she was 84 years old when she created this piece?

We stopped in Rhinebeck to eat and shop and in Hudson to eat and shop, but one of the highlights of our journey to the HRV was an apple picking escapade – a “must-do” when you visit in the Fall.

Back in New York City, a fortunately timed visit brought us to the Whitney Museum, where an exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Calder’s famed circus had just opened. Using everyday materials such as wire, fabric, cork and string, he created a collection of miniature circus animals, acrobats and clowns, and animated them by hand in front of a live audience. In contrast to the massive “stabile” we saw in New Windsor, we were offered yet another perspective of his art, viewing not only a short film of his work but some of his small, whimsical “mobiles” and many other preserved parts of the circus. Fascinating, fanciful, and fun!

I am sharing this photo of a delicate, joyful Calder sculpture with the hope that its sensibility touches all who view it. Happy Autumn!

Autumn in New York

Carol Ann Zinn