New York City is full of advertisements and billboards as you know, but a fair chunk of them have not been authorised and thus residents and visitors are submitted to even more advertising which is illegal. Thus pro-humanity campaign group ‘Public Ad Campaign’ have organised a project with many volunteers whom set out this week to white-wash hundreds of illegal ads and then replace them with public art, created by themselves.

Public art: High Five!

It’s a great idea in my opinion as we’re constantly bombarded with commercialisms nowadays and perhaps lack some of the more cultural elements which symbolise what it means to be human.

Public Ad Campaign acts on the assumption that public space and the public's interaction with that space is a vital component of our city's health. By visually altering and physically interacting with the public environment, residents become psychologically invested in their community. 

I’m a huge fan of smart governance and of not just solving problems but turning them to your advantage. This project is one of them and the results are good for everyone. Quite-Banksy-esque.

Source: http://www.woostercollective.com/2009/04/new_york_street_advertising_takeover_bri.html
Public Ad Campaign Website: http://www.publicadcampaign.com/

Here are a collection of the best photographs which I took on my recent trip to NYC.

 

       

  

Well the time has come to head back over the pong from where I came from.
I have to say that I've had the most awesome of times here; it's been a great experience and I have made sure that I still have plenty to do... a return trip is a must sometime.

In the past couple of days we’ve been to St. Patrick’s cathedral, walked along Brooklyn Bridge which was a very worthwhile experience indeed, and spent time in Greenwich village. Also made sure that I topped up my wardrobe in Abercrombie & Fitch (love this store) and used some present money to buy a special souvenir from Tiffany’s.

Now in free limousine to the airport! Not long to go now until 2009! x

Source: Myself today. :)

Extraordinary. Never thought I'd sit in a Starbucks on Christmas Day! Not as bad as it sounds - the city is alive and buzzing - totally different to what I was expecting.

After opening the pressies we went for a long walk in Central Park. Lovely scene. People playing and families chatting, skaters skating and me photographing :P. Beautiful day, not too cold and wonderful blue skies yet again. Later on we headed down to 5th Avenue which was totally packed full of people again, quite amazing; would never see that back in the UK. Went to Starbucks for a coffee (or in my case a Hot Chocolate – how can you beat that, surely?)

Oh, I must mention my present. My parents gave me a real gold chain – a very expensive one looking at it – which I already love. Have always wanted one and will keep it on as much as possible now. I’m a lucky boy… will give me something to sell if the Credit Crunch gets much worse. ;-)

  

Myself and my sister in the Waldolf=Astoria, and below a photo of a man about to fall over in Central Park…

*teeth trembling*
COOOOLLLLDDDD!! is how I would describe today... I think my toes are still defrosting. Blue skies again in NYC today however the temperature took a nose-dive to -12C; perhaps the coldest I've witnessed in my 19 years on this Earth...

…What then better to take an open-top bus tour!! It was kinda pre-planned but we should have changed it into retrospect. Anyway! Today we took the bus tour down to Lower Manhattan which was delightful. Through Greenwich Village and SoHo – very nice to see the New Yorkian versions; nice and edgy.

Finally we arrived in the financial district and had a look around the Ground Zero. A bit too frozen to appreciate it I think so hopefully will go back some time in a warmer climate! However we did go into the little old church next door which miraculously survived pretty much in tact. Some very moving accounts of 9/11 inside.

Also discovered a bell that the Lord Mayor of London had presented to New York as an act of friendship; very honourable.

Later on we took a look around Wall Street – a wonderful little district in my opinion – reminds me very much of The City in London. Here’s the photo to prove my visit:

Hey all! Just at the end of my second full day here in NYC. What can I say? Just wow. I can certainly see why this and London are considered world cities. They have a totally international culture and have a special wow-factor.

Today was a lovely day with beautiful blue skies and not too chilly. Snow seems to have all gone. With this in mind we decided to take the opportunity to ascend the Empire State Building.

Luckily I had decided to pre-book tickets online because when we arrived there was a 4 hour queue! So definitely recommended as we got to skip every single queue all the way up the tower.

I found the elevators particularly impressive; they rose 80 stories in the same time as the one in my halls does (only 15 stories), and with less rattle. To be honest, if you were blind you wouldn’t realise that you are moving. The Art Deco original interior is also impressive – glad they have kept it all! We went in late afternoon and stayed until sunset, which again I recommend. It was stunning!

Just arrived at a very snowy JFK Airport in the USA! :D
First time to New York having only been to Florida in the past. Now sitting in the back of a yellow taxicab travelling in the evening rush hour. Will take about half an hour to get to our hotel in the centre.
Will report back in a few days with some photos!