One of The Observer‘s favorite architects, SO-IL, shared some photos from one of our favorite architectural photographers, Iwan Baan. The flying Dutchman literally took off for Randall’s Island to snap some shots of SO-IL’s temporary pavilion on the island for Frieze. They are some of the slickest snaps we have seen (not counting our own!) especially the ones taken from a borrowed helicopter. Read More
The Observer is already well acquainted with the new ferry out to Randall’s Island, launched in the service of the Frieze Art Fair. But it turns out this is not just benevolent benefit for the gallery-going hordes headed to the island this weekend.
The city has reached an agreement with New York Water Taxi to run a weekend ferry to Randall’s Island all summer long, according to DNAinfo. Assuming the service is successful, it will return next year. Read More
On a recent Sunday, The Observer stood on a vacant lot neighboring the East River. While wistfully admiring Manhattan’s picturesque Eastern skyline, we soaked in the park’s halcyon beauty. Turning back to face the body of the Randall’s Island, we tried to visualize this site swarming with thousands of sweaty, painted, and dust-covered beings.
The next time The Observer will be here the scene will be much different. In less than one month, this site will be filled with a crowd—twice the size of a packed-house at Madison Square Garden—moshing to the most celebrated deejays in house and electronic music. Read More
The Manhattan Supreme Court delayed a hearing scheduled for tomorrow to determine whether an environmental impact statement is required for the city to go forward with a controversial deal to finance the construction of new playing fields on Randalls Island by charging 20 private schools nearly $45 million for exclusive after-school rights to Read More
"I know we come to New York a lot, but this is going to be the last time for a few years," Win Butler told the crowd at Randall's Island during their performance there yesterday. "So let's have a good time tonight."
Some reports of 'boos' from the crowd did not seem to detract from Read More
It quickly became apparent at Wednesday morning’s hearing on the city’s controversial Randall’s Island plan that private schools were already hogging the available playing fields on the island.
Some 95 percent of the weekday after-school permits are controlled by private schools; public schools get just two or three fields a week, according to Read More
