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| The Happenings Feature - December 2006 |
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JANE'S CAROUSEL
A hidden gem opens in DUMBO
Nestled in a tight space on Water Street, the lights flicker through the glass front of its home.
As you approach the entrance, Jane's Carousel is a sight to behold.
Eliza and Alice on the Carousel
©Mark D Phillips View Larger |
Built in 1922 by The Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC#61) for Idora Park in Ohio, the historic carved wood carousel found its way to DUMBO in a twenty year labor of love by Jane Walentas.
"We purchased the carousel on October 21, 1984 at the auction of Idora Park. We bought the carousel for the Fulton Ferry Park for which my husband David was the designated developer,"
said Jane Walentas.
At the time, the Master Plan for the park called for a historic carousel installed in the park to capture the spectacular panorama of lower Manhattan. Jane spent a year doing research. The outstanding carvings
on the 48 horses and two chariots are the work of Frank Carretta, one of the country's best master carvers. PTC#61 was the first carousel to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Working with an x-acto knife, Jane removed decades of layers of paint to reveal the original designs and colors. Fabulous ornamentation was exposed. Scenery panels were repaired and paintings
cleaned of their old, blackened varnish. But in the late 80's, the development of the park came to a standstill. The horses of the carousel, in a partial state of restoration, remained frozen in
time in Jane's studio in DUMBO.
Working with DUMBO artists, Jane finished the restoration, bringing PTC#61 to its original 1922 design and color palette. The horse skin and coat colors were rendered with true representation
and detail, the saddles were repainted in Japan paints and artists' oils, and then re-leafed in 24K Gold and Palladium. The carousel was rewired and dazzles with 1,200 lights, and mechanically and
electrically is in mint condition.
"Hopefully, someday the carousel will be housed in a wonderful new carousel Pavilion, set in the park on the East River, overlooking the spectacular Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges," said Jane.
Completing this carousel, giving it to the City and State, riding on it in the Park has been my wish and my passion."
A wish to be shared by many generations of children to come. |
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The Happenings Feature - Story Archive
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DUMBO IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT UNVEILS
FIRST ANNUAL "DUMBO LIGHT CAPADES" IN BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK
©Mark D Phillips
Empire Stores Building |
"It's holiday lights - Brooklyn style!" said Borough President Markowitz. "Where else but in Dumbo can you find such an illuminated mix of creativity, originality and holiday spirit? These beautiful light sculptures will brighten up Brooklyn for residents of all ages, and make Brooklyn Bridge Park even more festive this holiday season."
Lights on Empire Stores will run for 80 seconds every hour on the half hour and six sculptures grace the field beneath the Manhattan Bridge.
Light Capades.... Continued
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Through a Lens Darkly
Annie Leibovitz at Brooklyn Museum
©Mark D Phillips View Larger |
Annie Leibovitz has photographed celebrities, presidents, and a very naked, extremely pregnant Demi Moore.
Now her surprisingly personal, searingly raw exhibition - "Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life, 1990 - 2005" - will be showcased at the Brooklyn Museum through January 21.
It features pictures of not only Hollywood celebs and heads-of-state, but fetchingly candid shots of ordinary folks and people dear to the photographer.
In advance of the show's opening on October 20, Leibovitz, who is gracious and unassuming away from the lens, provided a rare, behind-the-scenes peek into her work and her life -- leading a walking tour through the museum.
Through a Lens Darkly .... Continued |
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Produced by
SouthBrooklynInternet. All material ©2006. No reuse without permission.
All photographs ©Mark D Phillips - southbrooklyninternet.com |
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