You're Invited To RIVAA Opening Reception For Contemplating Civilization: Photos By Piaskowski At Roosevelt Island Octagon Gallery Saturday January 30 - Don't Miss Gallery RIVAA Black History Month Quilt Celebration Too Thru February 21

 

The Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association (Gallery RIVAA) is hosting an opening reception for a new exhibit at their Octagon Gallery. According to RIVAA:

You are cordially invited to see Contemplating Civilization: Photos by Piaskowski at Octagon Gallery on Saturday, January 23 - April 1, 2021. Opening Saturday, January 30, 5-7 pm at Octagon 888 Main St, Roosevelt Island, NY 10044

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RIVAA also invites you to view their annual Black History Month Celebration exhibition:

You are cordially invited to see Quilt: The Black History Month Quilt Exhibition from January 23-February 21, 2021 at Gallery RIVAA 527 Main St. Roosevelt Island, NY 10044.

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Roosevelt Island resident Kaja Meade shares a peek at the Gallery RIVAA Black History Month Celebration Quilt exhibition.

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More from Gallery RIVAA at their website and Instagram page.

You're Invited To Four Freedoms Park Capture Your Freedom Photography Exhibit Opening Reception At Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA Saturday October 6

Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA is hosting an opening reception for the Capture Your Freedom photo exhibition on Saturday October 6. According to Gallery RIVAA:

Capture Your Freedom

Saturday, October 6, 2018 to Sunday, November 11, 2018

Opening reception: Saturday, October 6th from 5-7pm

A photography exhibition presented by Four Freedoms Park Conservancy,United Photo Industries, and Gallery RIVAA.

The FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy adds:

Capture Your Freedom, a photographic exhibition exploring the meaning of the four freedoms today, will be presented on sixteen large-scale photographic panels corresponding to each of the four freedoms. The exhibit is the culmination of Four Freedoms Park Conservancy’s annual photo contest which encouraged participants to explore the meaning and legacy of the four freedoms and how they relate to our lives today. Four Freedoms Park Conservancy partnered with United Photo Industries (UPI), the pioneering Brooklyn-based producer of public photography installations and events, to produce Four Freedoms Park Conservancy’s annual photo contest and exhibition.

The exhibition, which was first displayed at Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park in June 2018, will open at Gallery RIVAA from October 6 – November 11, 2018; the opening reception will be held on October 6 from 5pm-7pm. Gallery RIVAA, located in the heart of Roosevelt Island, opened in the hub of Main Street, and is dedicated to promoting Roosevelt Island as the “Island of Art” link between Manhattan and Long Island City.

The participating artists include Ruthie Abel, Inbal Abergil, Patricia Ackerman, Kisha Bari, Susan Barnett, Sara Bennett, Paolo Bona, Valeria Bove, Vidhyaa C, Argus Paul Estabrook, Tom Finke, Carlos Gonzalez, Eliza Hatch, Louise Hon̩e, Ed Kashi, William King, Ryan Koopmans, Gioia Kuss, Jason Little, Liu Liu, Jorge Lopez Munoz, Calli McCaw, Marla Mossman, Fabian Muir, Cletus Nelson Nwadike, Hector Rene, Whitney Welshimer, Emma Williams, and Mohammad Zoyari.

To curate this public exhibition, Four Freedoms Park Conservancy and UPI assembled a panel of esteemed photo editors and human rights advocates, who offered their time, energy, and years of experience to this monumental exhibition. The selection committee for Capture your Freedom was comprised of Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner, New York City Mayor's Office For International Affairs; Yvette Alberdingk Thijm, Executive Director of Witness; Nathalie Applewhite, Managing Director of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting; Geoffrey Berliner, Executive Director of the Penumbra Foundation; Emma Raynes, Director of Programs at the Magnum Foundation; Maggie Soladay, Photography Editor at the Open Society Foundations in New York.

Presented by Gallery RIVAA, and Four Freedoms Park Conservancy in partnership with United Photo Industries, the exhibition Capture your Freedom is generously supported by FUJIFILM North American Corporation.

Swimming Galaxies Photo Exhibit By Brazillian Photographer And Roosevelt Island Resident Larissa Nowak Showing Tuesday August 11 At Soho Photo Gallery - Surreal Environment Combines Outer Space And Synchronized Swimming

Brazilian photographer and Roosevelt Island resident Larissa Nowak reports:

I'm a resident of Roosevelt Island and student at NYU School of Professional Studies on Photography. My course project has a very personal theme, developed from sketch to presentation on the walls of a NYC art gallery.

My project is about Synchronized Swimmers having their practice in Space.

Image From Larissa Nowak

I had the collaboration of the Roosevelt Island Sportspark Pool, of synchronized swimmer athletes and orientation from NASA professionals to develop my theme.

Image From Larissa Nowak

The exhibition will be on Tuesday, August 11th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm at Soho Photo Gallery 15 White Street TriBeCa, New York City

The swimmers are members of two Synchronized Swimming teams from New York: Gotham Synchro and Waterworks. I was part of Gotham Synchro during the winter and joined the Waterworks for the summer.

The meaning behind the pictures is a surreal environment. The 12 pictures to be presented at the exhibition were taken at the Roosevelt Island's Sportspark pool and at the Manhattan Plaza Health Club. The Synchro Swimmers appear to be swimming into the galaxies and mass of stars, like they were real creatures that can beautifully swim on space.

The Swimming Galleries Project combine two passions of mine, Synchro Swimming and Space.

I was always fascinated about Space.

Image From Larissa Nowak

I love to observe the sky and to learn about the space. For this project I was lucky to have NASA professionals collaborating with me. I find really impressive that they dedicate their lives to study the mysteries of the universe.

I also have always danced the ballet, since I started as a kid. Looking forward to face new challenges I wanted to learn the water ballet. Then started to photograph my colleagues.

I want people to wonder about the universe, to be interested in space news and interested to learn about the world we live in.

The advice and encouragement of my mentor and teacher at NYU, T. Lawrence Wheatman, for Swimming Galaxies was greatly appreciated.

Roosevelt Island Photographer Olya Turcihin Exhibit Mesmerism Showcased At NOLITA's Something In Mind Boutique - Opening Reception 7-9 PM Tuesday November 11

Image From Olya Turcihin

You're invited to the opening reception of Roosevelt Island Photographer Olya Turcihin's Mesmerism exhibit at the Something In Mind fashion boutique in NOLITA.

Mesmerism

Photographs by Olya Turcihin

Opening reception:
@ SOMETHING IN MIND
Tues., Nov. 11th, 7 - 9 pm
230A Mulberry Street

Something In Mind will be showcasing their new fall clothing plus the artwork of Olya Turcihin.

The selected works of art for “Mesmerism” came from Turcihin’s series, “Drive By Dreams”, where we are transported into another realm of being, the momentary nature of a flash in time. Inspired by the journey, the image captured establishes an ephemeral mood. In this recent series, there is the act of speed and the impression of landscapes passing by, the dreamy manifestations that create feelings of movement and the split seconds of time that are ever so fleeting, then are punctuated ever so distinctly in Olya's signature cinematic prose.

Image From Olya Turcihin

Olya Turcihin’s photographs convey explosions of color, texture and the intimate scale of focus that draws its viewer into her world. Her eye instinctively and viscerally explores an insight into a transformative artistic experience that is hidden from everyday view.

Take a look at Olya's photographic journey by following her blog:

Refreshments will be served

You're Invited To Opening Reception Of All Aboard To The Past Queensboro Bridge Trolley Photo Exhibition By Sid Kaplan At The Octagon Gallery Thursday July 17

Image From The Roosevelt Island Historical Society

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) will host an opening reception for a new photography exhibition by Sid Kaplan showcasing the Queensboro Bridge Trolley at the Octagon Gallery (888 Main Street) Thursday evening July 17 from 5- 8 PM.

Image From Roosevelt Island Historical Society

According to RIHS President Judy Berdy:

ALL ABOARD TO THE PAST: The Queensboro Bridge Trolley
Photographs by Sid Kaplan
Now on exhibit
Octagon Gallery
888 Main St.
Open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
RECEPTION: Thursday, July 17th 5-8 p.m.
on view thru July 24

Here's the last Queensboro Bridge Trolley



and more Queensboro Bridge Trolley history from a prior post and here.

Snapshots Photography By Mircea Nicolescu Exhibition Opening Reception Today At Roosevelt Island's RIVAA Octagon Gallery 6-9 PM

Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA will be hosting an opening reception later today, January 25 from 6PM - 9PM for their new exhibition, Snapshots Photography by Mircea Nicolescu, at the Octagon Gallery.

Image From Gallery RIVAA

According to Gallery RIVAA:

Snapshots
Photography by Mircea Nicolescu
Saturday, January 25, 2014 - Sunday, March 2, 2014
Opening reception: Saturday, January 25th, 2014 from 6-9pm.

Romanian born engineer, with a lifelong passion for photography,have lived in the US for the last 23 years. I have been a member of AAFR (Association of Photographer Artists of Romania) since 1988, and my art has been exhibited in several photographic salons over the years.The last one was the 13th International Photographic Salon – Sibiu, Romania, in 2009. I’ve published a photography book about New York "Manhattan, Faces and Places" in 2010 which can be seen at: http://www.blurb.com/books/1247494-manhattan

With my camera, I like to capture a unique moment (snapshot) and transfer that into a great photograph which might induce emotions and pleasure to my viewers.Therefore this show, "SNAPSHOTS" with a collection of my best diverse images over the years.

Octagon Gallery, The Octagon, 888 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, NYC. 9am-9pm

More of Mr. Nicolescu's photography can be seen at his blog, Manhattan - Faces & Places.

Roosevelt Island Photographer Olya Turcihin Exhibiting Relative Gravity Tomorrow In DUMBO - With A Great Brooklyn Bridge View Too

Roosevelt Island photographer Olya Turcihin will be showing her work tomorrow at an exhibit titled "Relative Gravity" in DUMBO.

Image From Olya's Urban Journal

According to Ms. Turcihin:

I will be showing with Ghila Krajzman tomorrow Saturday from 5-7p at 100 Jay Street, 30E in DUMBO Brooklyn. The view from the 30th floor is stunning!

Image From Olya's Urban Journal

Tomorrow is the DUMBO Arts Festival - which is always a great time!

More of Ms. Turcihin's photography available at Olya's Urban Journal.

Windows On Welfare Island Photo Exhibit By Danielle Hayes Presented By Roosevelt Island Historical Society At Octagon Gallery Starting This Weekend - Opening Reception February 19

Image From Roosevelt Island Historical Society

From the Roosevelt Island Historical Society:

An exhibition of 19 color-infused photographs captures the abandoned hospital buildings of Welfare Island, as Roosevelt Island was formerly called, and injects them with new life. Windows on Welfare Island collects images taken by Dannielle Hayes in 1968, at a time when the southern portion of the island was ignored and largely forgotten, long before politicians and housing officials considered developing a residential community.

The show is at the Octagon Gallery, 888 Main Street on Roosevelt Island, from February 18 to March 18, 2012. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, February 19, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

"When Dannielle Hayes first showed her photos in a small exhibition organized by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society in 1998, the Society had conducted limited research on their context. The current show incorporates facts and details that we have subsequently learned about the sites and buildings she photographed more than 40 years ago," said Judith Berdy, President of The Roosevelt Island Historical Society, which presents this exhibition. Dannielle Hayes documented the architectural remains of the abandoned sites over a period of three weekends, often without knowing the names of the buildings, since there were few identifying signs.

"It was as if the doctors, nurses and patients had just left one day. I photographed rooms full of rusty beds; rooms with painted storybook characters peeling off the walls and baby bottles strewn about the floor," said Hayes.

"In 1998, at the request of Judith Berdy, I took a contemporary look at the photos from thirty years prior. I utilized the then-new Canon Color Laser Copier to transform the original black and white negatives into colour, a first in technology. I then made transfer prints and heat transferred the images to 100% archival Rives BFK paper. Each print is a unique image," she added.The exhibition is free and open to the public daily, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Here are two of the photos from the Danielle Hayes Windows on Welfare Island Octagon Gallery exhibit.

Images From Danielle Hayes

Service Suspended, The Men Behing The New York Tram Renovation Photo Exhibit Of Roosevelt Island Tram Project On Display This Week - Opening Reception Tonight At Lumen Gallery

Image By Jonas Cuenin From Roosevelt Island Tram Renovation Photo Exhibit Via France-Amerique

Service Suspended - The Men Behind The New York Tram Renovation is the title of a new exhibition displaying  photographs taken during the 9 month Roosevelt Island Tram Modernization Project that will be showing at the Lumen Gallery from December 2 - 7 with an opening reception tonight starting 6 PM. The Lumen Gallery is located at 221 East 6oth Street in Manhattan.

According to French Culture:

Two photographers, Carol Caver and Jonas Cuénin, painstakingly documented the activities of the American, French, Swiss and Canadian team throughout the entire renovation. One photographer witnessed the project from the exterior while the other observed the interior scenes, capturing fleeting moments of New York history from all angles. With their own interpretation, the photographers pay homage to the story of these workers.

Carol Caver is self-taught photographer who has discovered her life-long passion. A photo-journalist, Jonas Cuénin is a correspondent living in the United States.

I've spoken with Mr. Cuenin several times during the Tram Project. I learned that the project's contractor, POMA, provided Mr. Cuenin with special access to document the Tram renovation so I am looking forward to this exhibition particularly after seeing the photograph above and below of workers walking on beams over Second Avenue in front of the Queensboro Bridge.

 From a Google Translate version of a France Amerique article:

... Two photographers, American and French Carol Caver Jonas Cuénin photographed for four months the project's progress. The latter, a press photographer in New York (he also works at France-America), was hired by Poma to make a film on the work. "I realized I had the good fortune to have access to a symbolic place in New York that appears in many films. After two months, in parallel with the documentary Poma, I started work personal, more artistic. " Remembering the famous photos taken of the Iron Workers in the construction of the Empire State Building, the French photographer seized the stolen moments of these brave workers....

Image Of Tram Worker From Jonas Cuenin

Night Watch New York City Black & White Photo Exhibit By Roosevelt Island Resident Richard Bachman At Cornell Weill Art Gallery

Received this message from Roosevelt Island resident Richard Bachman:

I am pleased to announce:

The Gallery at Weill Cornell Medical Associates Present:

“Night Watch”
Photographs by Richard Bachmann

I am very excited to show this series of black and white photographs of New York City at night taken from unique vantage points throughout the city. The exhibit, consisting of several very large prints (40”x40”) of images that historically document the city while also capture its romance through the illumination and graphic patterns of its buildings and streets.

The exhibit, sponsored by WCMA, will be on display at The East Side Gallery Now through August 11, 2010.

Nightwatch Image From Bachman Studio

More Nightwatch Exhibit images at Bachman Studio. They're very good. Take a look and visit the Gallery at 211 East 80th Street.

UPDATE 8/22 - Received word that the show has been extended until at least August 30.

Welfare Island Photo Exhibit Celebrating 40 Year Anniversary Of Roosevelt Island Extended To February 14

Octagon Tower Image By Suzanne Vlamis ©

Advised by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society that:

Please note the exhibition of 32 photographs of the abandoned buildings of Welfare Island (the former name of Roosevelt island) has been extended to Saturday, February 14 at The Octagon Gallery, 888 Main Street, New York, NY. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

More information available from NY Times Spare Times:

ROOSEVELT ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHS, on view through Feb. 14. The display, “Welfare Island: A Spirit of Place Past,” features photographs taken by Suzanne Vlamis from 1969 to 1971, before large-scale development of the island; the exhibition is in celebration of the lease agreement made more than 40 years ago by New York City and New York State to develop Welfare Island, as it was known then, into a residential community...

and from earlier post Roosevelt Island Then (Welfare Island) and Now (2010).

I went to the opening, thought the exhibit was well done and would recommend it if you have any interest in seeing what Roosevelt Island was like as Welfare Island.

Welfare Island Photo Exhibit Celebrating 40 Years of Roosevelt Island Reception Saturday Afternoon & An Evening Of Film & Performance

Image From Gallery RIVAA

The opening reception of " Welfare Island: A Spirit of Place Past" will take place this Saturday, January 9th beginning at 2 PM at the Octagon. This is a photography exhibition profiling the abandoned structures on the island prior to its development. The exhibit will be the kickoff event to the 40th anniversary of the ground lease signing for Roosevelt Island.

More information about this event is available from this previous post.

An exhibition of thirty-two photos is the first in a series of events that will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the 1969 agreement between the City of New York and the State of New York for the redevelopment of Welfare Island, as Roosevelt island was formerly called. The kick-off event, co-sponsored by The Roosevelt Island Historical Society and The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation of the State of New York, features photos taken before construction of a residential community on the Island had begun.

Despite their forbidding air of abandonment, the massive castle-like buildings of Welfare Island fascinated Suzanne Vlamis, compelling her to photograph these grotesquely beautiful structures. The photos of the old hospitals, asylum, labs and churches, taken by an adventurous young woman, were exhibited in 1972. Welfare Island: A Spirit of Place Past, includes these photos, as well as others never exhibited before. The show is at the Octagon Gallery, 888 Main Street on Roosevelt Island, from December 20 to January 31. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, January 9, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m....

Later Saturday evening, Gallery RIVAA will be hosting:

An evening of film and performance at Gallery RIVAA, Saturday, Jan. 9th at 7:30 PM

Image From Gallery RIVAA

Things To Do This Weekend In New York City & Roosevelt Island- Inflatable Sculpture, Chinese New Year Tour, MOMA Political Movies & RI Photo Exhibit

Image of Inflatable Sculptures from 3rd Ward

Looking for fun things to do on Roosevelt Island or in some other part of New York City this weekend? Here are some suggestions.

On Friday night take a trip to Brooklyn's 3rd Ward to view their current exhibition of Inflatable Sculptures. According to Free NYC:

A one-night exhibition of towering sculptures that by morning will fit into the pocket of even your skinniest jeans. Featuring the work of students from 3rd Ward's Inflatable Sculpture Class, Instructor Partick Flibotte, his former students from University of Miami, and Billie Grace Lynn. Live Music from DJ Tanner, Complimentary Drinks & a Crash Course in Inflatable Sculpture Building.

On Saturday afternoon, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is conducting a Preparing for the New Year Walking Tour. According to MOCA:

Witness how Chinatown transforms itself in preparation for the New Year. Learn about the traditions and customs observed by Chinese households and discover the significance of red envelopes and New Year foods and decorations. Enjoy the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of Chinatown as MOCA’s experienced docents take you on the most festive tour of the year! This seasonal tour will now include a shopping and tasting portion of Manhattan’s Chinatown!

On Sunday the Museum of Modern Art is showing a cinematic double feature on Abraham Lincoln as part of MOMA's week long American Politics series. The two Lincoln films are:

Abraham Lincoln. 1930. USA. Directed by D. W. Griffit. Screenplay by Stephen Vincent Benet. With Walter Huston, Una Merkel, Ian Keith. A respectful and poetic account of Lincoln's entry into politics, Griffith's first sound film is a sincere, passionate, and moving portrait of a remarkable man. 97 min.

and

Young Mr. Lincoln. 1939. USA. Directed by John Ford. Screenplay by Lamar Trotti. With Henry Fonda, Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver. In this fictionalized account, a young Abraham Lincoln moves from Kentucky to small-town Springfield, Ohio, where he begins to practice law. 100 min.

On Roosevelt Island this weekend, the Farmers Market will be open as usual on Saturday as is Gallery RIVAA, the Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association which is exhibiting the Winter of Change group show. Also, RIOC has produced a great self guided tour map (PDF File) of Roosevelt Island for any visitor or resident looking to stroll the Island and learn something more about it.

Roosevelt Island will also host 2 events this weekend. On Sunday The Roosevelt Island Historical Society is presenting a photo exhibit on the Effler Family's Life on Roosevelt Island in the early 20th Century. The second event on Sunday afternoon is a concert by the ZigZag Quarted hosted by the Church of the Good Shepherd. The ZigZag quartet:

brings innovative programs with a wide variety of musical styles, including their own arrangements of the classics, spanning three centuries: from the Baroque to jazz and Latin American to premiered works written for the quartet. A mix of solos, duos and trios showcase the artists and the instruments.

Good weekend transportation news. The MTA is reporting normal Roosevelt Island F Train subway service in both directions and RIOC is not reporting any Tram service advisories either.

Check out some other ideas on what to do in New York City this weekend from the NY Times Urban Eye, NY Post Weekend Calendar and Newyorkology.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society Photo Exhibit on Roosevelt Island Family Life During Early 20th Century And An Oral History From Former Resident

Biking on Roosevelt Island in early 20th Century

Swimming in East River off of Roosevelt Island in early 20th Century
Both Images of the Effler Family from the Roosevelt Island Historical Society

I received the following press release from the Roosevelt Island Historical Society announcing an exhibit of photographs documenting family life on Roosevelt Island in the early 1900's. The exhibit will be open from January 5- 31 at the Octagon with a reception on Sunday, January 18.

EARLY 20TH CENTURY PHOTOS OF FAMILY LIFE ON ROOSEVELT ISLAND

(Roosevelt Island, NY, January 5, 2009) – Imagine living on an island in New York City about 90 years ago, when your grandparent (or great-grandparent) would have been a youngster. The island was not very developed, so there was plenty of open land to stroll with a baby carriage or ride a bicycle. You hosted picnics for your friends and you could swim in the East River!

This is the bucolic way of life captured by 31 photographs displayed in the exhibition Family & Friends: The Effler Family on Blackwell’s Island (1914-1919).

“These photos give a remarkable view of the ordinary life of a family who themselves are an island among the local populations,” said Judith Berdy, President of The Roosevelt Island Historical Society which organized the exhibition. “The Efflers lived here when the Island was populated by more than 2,000 patients in two municipal hospitals and more than 2,500 prisoners in the penitentiary and workhouse. Despite these gloomy surroundings, they had a warm family life with their son and three dogs.”

The photos are part of a family album that was donated to the Society by Donald Effler, the grandson of the Efflers whose family life is richly documented.

At the Reception on Sunday, January 18, there will be special events: a guided tour for children plus a Dog Look-Alike Contest, inspired by the photos of the Effler’s pets: Mike, Vixen and Fluffy.

12 PM Children’s Tour of Exhibit
1 PM General Tour
2 PM Dog Look-Alike Contest
3-6 PM Reception and Refreshments

Supporters of the exhibition include: The Effler Family, Becker + Becker Associates, PRC Management, Mark Chipman and the Roosevelt Island Visual Artists Association. Funding was provided by the Metropolitan Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association.

The FREE exhibition will be on display from January 5 through January 31, 2009 in the lobby of The Octagon, an apartment building located at 888 Main Street. DIRECTIONS: Take the Tram at 59th Street and Second Avenue or the F train to Roosevelt Island. Take the Octagon Local red bus for 25¢ or walk 20-minutes north on Main Street.

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society promotes awareness of our Island’s unique story and pursues preservation of its landmarks and artifacts.

For more information on Roosevelt Island family life in the early part of the 20th century read these remembrances of a woman raised as a child in the 1920's on Roosevelt Island who also later worked in the hospitals here that were published in the March 16, 2000 Main Street WIRE.

Eleanor Schetlin was born in 1920, in the 20th year of her father's employment in the Island's storehouse. Now nearly 80, she treated members of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society and their guests to her luminous memories of her childhood here. She continued to live on Roosevelt Island into the 1950's, working at the Metropolitan Hospital School of Nursing....