Early this year, I discovered a really cool initiative to re-purpose an out-of-use freight railway and turn it into a beautiful, raised walkway. You can see images and videos of this project in it’s concept stage in my original post.

I got an opportunity to experience the High Line first-hand a month ago and was far from disappointedd. Though the website, blog and image gallery do paint an impressive picture and give insight into the history of this initiative, I gotta say, nothing could have prepared me for this experience. Well let’s take a walk shall we?

Here we are approaching the Gansevoort St. Entrance, the southern most point of the High Line; diners and small cafes rest comfortably next to elevator and staircase entrances.

Only a third of the High Line was completed on this visit.

Just… wow… I love how they incorporated the original rails into the walkways and garden.

The walkways tapered into the garden areas while the benches seamlessly push upward in the same fashion.

Looks like ITC Lubalin Graph Std Rockwell (thanks Greg) is the typeface of choice for the High Line. I love how the name of the street you’re above is engraved in the hand rail (top picture).

Unfortunately, all the deck chairs were taken, looks pretty cozy though. Some are attached to train wheels which can be rolled along the exposed tracks??
Probably not, but a fun idea.

A little ways in, you can rest in this cut-out seating area. Looks like a nice place to spend some quality time with a book.
Oh, there was a magician there that day too…

The first section ends with a nice little garden area and a view of the sunset over the Hudson. I can’t wait to go back for the second section!
Overall, it was a delightful experience. A leisurely stroll above the city is a nice break from the bustle below. If your in Manhattan anytime soon, I highly recommend checking it out.

]]> http://asmith3.com/blog/2009/visiting-new-yorks-high-line/feed/ 4 http://asmith3.com/blog/2009/milton-glaser-to-inform-delight/ http://asmith3.com/blog/2009/milton-glaser-to-inform-delight/#comments Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:28:23 +0000 Avery Smith http://asmith3.com/blog/?p=158

To Inform and Delight is a great film that takes a close look into the beginnings, process and philosophy of Milton Glaser. It’s refreshing to see how a designer who has impacted the world tremendously, still finds so much fun in his work. What makes him unique for me is his ability to capture the feeling of a generation, a time period or culture in his work.

I recommend checking out the film, which I found through the good people at Arthouse Films (an independent production and distribution label based in NY and LA) and learn why Milton chose a small office near a playground, how he developed his skills an illustrator & designer and exactly how much money he received for the “I ♥ NY” project (I know I was surprised). The film is due for public release May 22nd.

The film will be released alongside a new book by Milton, ‘Drawing is Thinking,’ which Arthouse Films will be raffling off along with a signed poster by Milton Glaser himself!

You can also find Art & Copy (formerly ‘The Alchemists’ by the One Club) on the Arthouse Films website, which I’m deffinatly going to grab up myself.