a constant surprise

I haven't been doing very well on my plan to check off one "NYC to-do" each week. But spring is coming, so I can pick up the pace, and we still haven't heard from the FBI, so unfortunately there seems to be time.

Yesterday I went to the Noguchi Museum, housed in a converted factory in Long Island City, a neighborhood in Queens just over the East River from Manhattan. Noguchi was a fascinating artist, and it's a little gem of a museum.

Isamu Noguchi was a sculptor and designer, but those labels don't even hint at his creativity and versatility. He created gardens, fountains, "playscapes", and sculpture of amazing grace and beauty. He designed lamps and furniture whose shapes have become so familiar that we forget how fresh and innovative they once were. For a long time, he collaborated with the great choreographer Martha Graham on designs and sets for her dances. And he was astonishingly prolific, working in the US, Paris, Japan, China, Mexico, India and elsewhere, in stone, metal, wood, clay, basalt - and in water and light.

I really enjoy his sculpture, especially the large outdoor pieces. As with most visual art, I can't articulate why I like it and I have no need to ask what it "means". I just find it very pleasing.

On the way back into Manhattan, taking a subway line I seldom use, I passed through some newly renovated stations - light, whimsical mosaics, so unexpected. New York is a constant surprise.

Let's see: therapeutic massage in the morning, a wonderful small art museum, cool public art in the subway, discover a tea salon in the Village with free wireless internet (one iPAQ + one pot of Irish tea = heaven) then meet my sweetie at a French bistro for dinner. Now that's what I call a really good day.