A Saturday Stroll In Manhattan : Podcast

After visiting the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) on Saturday, Brian and I took the opportunity of a free afternoon and evening to stroll through the urban space which is Manhattan. This was an intentional exploration of one concept we have disccused in this class, the concept of the “flaneur.” The flaneur, for our purposes, is an urban explorer: someone who walks through urban spaces and thinks. We began our own “flaneur” walk at MOCA and ended at Columbus Circle. We took pictures along the way, met some interesting people, and had some good conversation.

Rather than write an extended reflection on our “flanuer” we instead recorded a podcast. Below you will find the recording, as well as pictures we took along the way. We  have also included a time-indexed list of points of interest. One way to listen would be to put us on in the background and then do the dishes. Or, if you’re feeling brave, instead sit down with a cup of coffee and listen to the full ramble. A third way would be to pick a few of the points noted below and click to those points on the podcast link. I’d suggest listening to “Outlaw Mark” (9:30), the Lady from Queens (15:40), and the extended discussion about Times Square (beginning at 21:45).

We have also created a Google Map with markers which demonstrate where we walked and points of interest. The map can be found by following this link:

Google Map of Our Flaneur

We hope that you enjoy the images and our podcast. The best way to understand and experience what it means to be a flanuer is to strike out on your own, walking through an urban space and allowing chance to work its magic.

Points of Interest:
03:10 – “Opportunity – It’s Everywhere When You Know Where To Look”
05:45 – Smith & Marx
08:10 – Physical Graffiti Houses
09:30 – Outlaw Mark from Avenue D
14:00 – Union Square Conversation
15:40 – Lady from Queens
19:50 – Macy’s Wooden Escalators
21:45 – Up 7th Avenue & Times Square
25:00 – “Help the homeless in New York”
27:00 – Souverniers vs. Gifts
29:15 – Dinner at 125th Street
31.30 – Closing Flaneur Thoughts

Photos:

“Love” on a wall

Photograph Your Girlfriend

Know Where To Look

Smith & Marx

Just No Idea

St. Mark’s Place

Times Square – Gifts

Columbus Circle

Vacancy