Let There Be Grand Central Light Artistic License!

If you've perused the latest issue of the New Yorker, you may have noticed a rather long letter to the editor about a January cover (by Mark Ulriksen, pictured above). If you didn't, here's how the letter starts:

Mark Ulriksen’s “Winter Pleasures,” an impressionistic rendering of Grand Central Terminal’s main concourse, depicts the famous golden clock bathed in sunlight (Cover, January 28th). Note that this can be only an eastward morning scene, not a westward afternoon. The angle of the long axis of the concourse, following that of Manhattan’s east-west streets, is not 90° but 119° east of north, and aligns with the sun through its “west” windows only from late May to early July, and then only at an elevation of less than 3°. But aren’t those the south-side ticket windows at the left of the picture, with the tracks and trains therefore on the right? And doesn’t the clock seem to read three-fifty, hardly a time for the morning sun?

You can read the rest here, after your head stops spinning.

The letter's author, though, knows what he's talking about, as he is Michael Allison, Adjunct Professor of Astronomy at Columbia University and Emeritus Scientist, Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Allison does go on to surmise the illustration was "deliberately reversed" and waxes about Grand Central's lovely ceiling mural of stars, which is also reversed, but now all of us are better educated about how light streams through Grand Central.

Here are some other Grand Central Terminal New Yorker covers. Perhaps the most famous distorted New Yorker cover is Saul Steinberg's 1976 New Yorker cover.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on February 20, 2008 1:07 PM

Comments [rss]

JoeSchumacher

Yes, heaven forbid an expert express his opinion on matters he is expert about! If only Professor Allison had spent that fifteen minutes more wisely we would have that pesky poverty problem solved by now.

Dave Hogarty

"Your rendering of the transit terminal, while most pleasing to the eye, is unfortunately quite illogical," said Mr. Spock.

"Damnit Spock! I'm a doctor, not a cartoonist!" replied Bones.

Tim N.

"Is it any wonder I've got too much time on my hands?"

You do sort of wish these folks would endeavor into worthwhile pursuits... like posting on blogs, for example.

Um...

ChampionOfTheSun

This is obviously a photograph taken from a different dimension in a cartoonish world.

virgil

If it weren't for brainiacs, cranks, pedants and obscure know-it-alls of every stripe, NYC would be just another big city. I tip my thinking cap to him.

JenChungsBaby

While Mr. Astronomy professor is at, he may also want to note that the Grand Central information booth in that picture is woefully out of proportion to the people and cat on the floor. That would have to be a mountain lion for the proportions to be correct.

Fuck it! From now on I decree that there shall be no artistic renderings! Only well-focused and brightly lit photographs shall be allowed for public use. So let it be written.....

Jen Chung

Jen S - so did I! I opened my New Yorker and didn't get past the letter. Good times!

Jen S

I think this is hilarious. Go nerds!

slappy

Obviously about the cat and the fact that the human New Yorkers are not walking in the light.

ed_Extinct

even if sarcastic, the critic should be sent to communist russia.

petercow99

In terms of letting light in - I'm sure this suggestion will land me in Gitmo, but I wish someone had the guts to propose taking down the giant flag that was put up post-9/11.

We're proud of this country. We're in America. We -get- it.

Also, the July 7 1934 cover shown on the link is the old Penn Station, not Grand Central Terminal.

malasagna

If nerds focused on important things instead of comics, youporn and New Yorker covers, the world would be a better place.....

sandradayoconnor

I agree - this so called "art-work" is just ridiculous. I mean, that light! It's like the guy made it with paint! WTF?! Everyone knows light is made with photons. Jesus, artists, get it right.