Michael Sporn Animation – Splog

I was on my way, this past Friday about 1:15pm to Richard O’Connor‘s studio, Ace & Son, to photograph the Fred Mogubgub paintings (see yesterday’s post). All at once, I came upon a small stretch of 29th Street where a couple of hundred males (I saw only one female – covered and in pants) gathered with shoes off sitting on towels and kerchiefs that they had brought. They all faced the same direction, North – uptown. Out of one store, a store which seemed to arrange air flights and trips, a loud voice spoke somewhat harshly. I wasn’t paying attention to the
commentary from the loud speakers, but neither were most of the males in attendance.

I asked a street vendor – there were a number of them who wouldn’t give up their space on the sidewalk for a sudden call to prayer – what was the occasion. Obviously, they were outside their improvised mosque and performing their religious duty.

The vendor said that this happened every Friday. There’s something to learn about this city every time you turn a corner.

On the way back, 30 minutes later, no one was on the sidewalk.
A large group stood within the airline sales shop, praying.
They were tightly packed.

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Naturally, I passed Marble Collegiate Church which continues to display yellow ribbons for the soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Appropriate for Good Friday.

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Heidi and I went to Grand Central Station on Saturday to watch a program of dance (lasting about 20 minutes.) She was actually more excited about going than I, but it was great fun and I’m glad she pulled me into it. We’d actually gone on Friday but found that you had to get there much earlier.

We arrived an hour early for it on Saturday, and even though Grand Central was not crowded, there were a lot of people attending for the dance program.

It was devised, choreographed and composed by Nick Cave. This wasn’t the great rock musician, Nick Cave, but another person from LA who produces excellent shows like this one. Glasto make the acquaintance.

It was also a good photo event.

1
This is the official entrance. We came in the back door.
We were about an hour early though
the doors closed on newcomers soon after.

2
The horses are set up already as we enter.

3
They’re just costumes set up about a “sawhorse”
without life until the dancers enter.

4
We have a great spot to watch.

5

6

7
You can see the netting in the neck out of which
the dancers look out. I’ll guess they don’t see a lot.

8
A harp and a drum. They come out to tune up with each other.

9
There are two groups: the heads and . . .

10
. . . the tails. They’ll also break apart
mid-dance when the movement goes very fast.

11
Dancers put on the costumes.

12
They work in small groups to help each other move quickly.

13

14
They help each other prepare to become horses.

15
The dancers have their costumes on.

16
The music’s about to start.

17
The dance is about to begin once the “sawhorses” are removed.

18
Silence as a group of the crew comes in to remove the “sawhorses”.

19
Some of the horses go back to the kids.

20
The last number begins wild drums.

21
The horses really rock their fur.

22
They rock out this last number.

23
The dancers break apart and begin to undress

24
Another round of applause including
the dancers who applaud as well.
It was fun

25
The horses dress the “sawhorses” again and people startt exit.

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