Documenting a Brownstone's Rebirth
In 2018, the New York Times published a story about an unusual Carroll Gardens brownstone for sale. 12 Second Place had been painstakingly restored during the brownstone revival movement of the 1960s and 70s, and had been owned by the same couple, Jane and Thor Rinden, ever since. Moreover, the Rindens had documented their five-year renovation process (1968-1973) in a charming and intimate scrapbook filled with photographs and memories. Fascinated by this story, I left a comment on the article, and fortuitously enough, the Rindens' estate decided that the scrapbook should come to the…
In the Spirit of Collaboration: Virgil Abloh at the Brooklyn Museum
Laura, Center for Brooklyn History, Center for Brooklyn History
A few weekends ago, after a beautiful Saturday morning of yoga on the Brooklyn Museum stoop, I had the chance to make it out to their special exhibition: Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech.” It celebrates the life and work of the late fashion designer, architect, DJ, artist and entrepreneur Virgil Abloh, well-known for his fashion brand Off-White, among many other projects. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brooklyn Museum (@brooklynmuseum…
Black History Month: Portraits
Keely Jean-Baptiste, a Librarians of Tomorrow intern, created a fantastic Black History Month display at the Mill Basin Library last month. Keely selected the books, wrote and designed a booklist, and drew two portraits of John Lewis and Shirley Chisholm. Check out Keely's beautiful work here!
Paint the Tiny Library Contest for Teens
Books Are Magic and Arts Gowanus are searching for a teen (12-18 years old) artist to design and paint their tiny free library! Winners receive a $200 stipend and a $50 gift card for art supplies. Your work will be posted on Art Gowanus and Books Are Magic's social media too! Submissions are due by January 28th and winners will be notified February 1st. Want more information? If you have any questions, reach out to johnny@artsgowanus.org.
Photographs and Reflection in the Time of Quarantine
I’m restless. I’m 72 years old and have been “sheltering at home” since March 7th. I’m not sure which I miss more – seeing my grandchildren or exploring the outskirts of New York City. I’ve spent many quiet hours photographing its waterfront and abandoned interiors. Almost every day since the 7th, I’ve scanned panoramic and large format negatives or made pigmented inkjet prints, and I expect to continue this routine in the weeks and months ahead. I’m lucky to have the means and equipment to do so, but man do I miss being out photographing. I’m trying to internalize the advice of my friend…
Need a Break from Working at Home?
You’ve got the hang of working from home: you’re connected, your desk setup is pretty sweet and your projects are chugging along. You’re remembering to eat regularly, stay hydrated and maybe even change out of your pajamas occasionally. You got this. It’s day-number-who-knows-what of working remotely...and you’re starting to really need a break from your own company. Here are some ways to stay connected with friends and family from far away, or get a welcome distraction. Explore some of Brooklyn Public Library’s archives and databases Visit the Digital Collection of…