Results tagged “iconic”

As Lincoln Center approaches the final stages of it's revamp, the NY Times gets real with some fountain talk. They report that there will be a new one with choreographed water effects put in place by the firm responsible the Bellagio Hotel outdoor aquatic explosion. Because nothing says Lincoln Center like Las Vegas. One designer at the firm told the paper, "New York is probably extremely nervous about the fountain. They may be expecting something gimmicky." The final "look" will be unveiled on September 30th, and at least one critic has already spoken out, Andrew S. Dolkart, the director of Columbia University' historic preservation program, "said he did not understand why Lincoln Center decided to replace the fountain, designed by Philip Johnson and completed in 1964. 'It' the thing that upsets me most of all about what's happened at Lincoln Center.'" Indeed, replacing an iconic fountain that's been the backdrop in many a film, not to mention weddings and other events that have shaped people's memories, is a little bit mind-boggling. Dolkart adds: "You wouldn't want to tear down Grand Central Terminal because Frank Gehry is going to design a masterpiece in its place." Oh wouldn't we?

You know that iconic photo of Albert Einstein sticking his tongue out? It just sold at auction for $74,324, and now belongs to a man in Great Neck, NY. Newsday reports that the expression was captured in 1951, and Einstein himself gave one copy (of the nine he requested) to American broadcast journalist Howard K. Smith with the inscription: "This gesture you will like, because it is aimed at all of humanity." It's the only time he ever came close to explaining his action in the photograph, and the new owner notes: "In the middle of a Communist witch hunt, here he is sticking his tongue out. I think he's telling us to buck authority." This is probably way more fun than owning those notes on relativity.

Using a Leica M2 with a 90mm lens, Cuban photographer Alberto “Korda” Díaz snapped the iconic photograph of Ernesto “Che” Guevara during a mass funeral for the victims of a mysterious series of explosions in Havana harbor that killed at least 75 people 1960. The service was held the day after the tragedy, and Korda, who was Castro’s official photographer at the time, managed two photos of Guevara as he briefly stepped onstage to look out at the mourners. Korda later said that Che’s countenance was one of “absolute implacability, anger, and pain.”