Dumbo NYC

Filming on Monday/Tuesday, January 18/19, 2010 in the Pearl Street Triangle. Anyone know what film this is for?

A few of our readers noticed the new storefront “Dumbo Muffin” on Pearl Street. Naturally, we thought that it was the DUMBO Muffins (featured on DumboNYC last year) opening a retail outlet in Dumbo. So we contacted the owner of DUMBO Muffins, Gregory, to let him know we’ve received emails from our readers about the new cafe. We did not realize that it is not his company, DUMBO Muffins (with an “S”) and that “they are impostors”. His lawyers have sent a cease and desist letter to stop using the DUMBO Muffins name. Says Gregory, “The awning on their store says Dumbo Muffin, not DUMBO Muffins. They need to stop using our name. Although we intend to open a retail location in time, this is not our store and have no affiliation with them whatsoever.” Oops. Hmm, maybe someone can open a McDonald in Dumbo so we can have our burgers.

If you’re the owner of “Dumbo Muffin”, please email us so we can clear this up?

Google Map has started adding ‘points of interest’ on their Dumbo map, including restaurants, bars, stores, and companies in the area. A few of them are misplaced on the map (for example, Brooklyn Flea Dumbo is no longer on Front Street and Blueberi is misplaced on Pearl St) and there are many others missing (though I’m sure it’s a work in progress). Is Google planning on mapping out all the street level retail stores in the area? They’re not yet at the level of detail that, say, MondoMap has, but given their mantra of organizing the world’s information, perhaps they’re moving towards combining maps, business listings, and local blogs on the map. They’re not going to catch up with hyperlocal news and content of outside.in (outside.in’s Dumbo news: outside.in/DUMBO_Brooklyn_NY), but it looks like Google is moving towards that direction.

And the center of Dumbo according to the map? Galapagos Art Space; could be a center of culture (or something), but based on Dumbo Historic District boundaries, the Pearl Street Triangle would be more central on the map.

Google Map of Dumbo

Last night, the Dumbo Improvement District, in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Urban Art Program, installed the work of Dumbo resident and artist Eleanora Kupencow, entitled “Horsing Around the Arrows of Time,” in the Pearl Street Triangle. Per the Dumbo Improvement District’s press statement:

Adjacent to the Manhattan Bridge and DOT’s iron shop and fabricated out of powder-coated steel, the bold and colorful sculptures pay homage to DUMBO’s manufacturing and industrial story.

The four pieces in “Horsing Around the Arrows of Time” were designed individually – the Purple King, the Blue Thinker, the Magenta Acrobats and the Green Mother Earth. When arranged in a group, the sculptures work together to create a feeling of movement and energy.

The pieces bring more color to the triangle and has cool detailing. Check it out at the Pearl Street Triangle (Pearl Street between Water and Front Street).

{Photo set on Flickr}
{Press Release (PDF)}

The sculpture, titled Zeus, by Bates Wilson got hauled away yesterday after it was knocked down last month. It can only get bolted down to the Belgian block (and not through it), and they don’t hold under the weight. It was reported that people were riding bikes up the sculpture, which pulled it off the bolts. Thanks to Greg for the photo above.

(Photo thanks to Innuendo)

Previously:
{Zeus Down at Pearl St Triangle, 13Apr2009}

You’ve seen several of the talented RWK street art around Dumbo. Here’s one spotted on Pearl Street over the weekend. Below is one from Water Street between Jay and Bridge Streets.

More at robotswillkill.com.

Halcyon the Shop has some fresh new touches of paint on the wall of the building by oliververnon.com. Below is a before pic of the wall art.

Halcyon
57 Pearl Street, Dumbo Brooklyn, NY 11201

Update below.

[UPDATE (14Apr2009): The cause of this is from people riding bikes up it, and it’s just not built for that. It can only get bolted down to the Belgian block (and not through it), and they don’t hold under the weight. The sculpture may have to be moved, unless the DOT can get funding to build a guard for it.]

Oh no! We walked by the Pearl Street Triangle yesterday and saw the sculpture, titled Zeus, by Bates Wilson is down. The Otterness sculpture was lifted away a few weeks ago, but we hope this one isn’t leaving Dumbo as well.

A pet supply store on 61 Pearl Street in Dumbo, NYC Pet, looks to be opening soon. They join other pet related businesses Dumbo Pet Care, Cheeky Dog, DiDi’s Dog Boutique, and Vinegar Hill Veterinary Group in Dumbo. Please comment below if you’ve had experience with NYC Pet.

NYCPET.com
61 Pearl Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-643-3046

{Vinegar Hill Veterinary Group Open on Front Street, 25Mar2008}
{Dog Boutique Opens on Water Street, 20Feb2008}
{DUMBO Pet Care Expands Into Retail and Grooming, 09Jan2008}
{Cheeky Dog to Open Doggy Day Care in Dumbo, 16Aug2007}

(Artists’ rendering of The People’s Triangle)

During the Dumbo Art Under the Bridge Festival, which starts on Friday, Dumbo artist Manuel Mansylla has been working on an installation called The People’s Triangle. According to Mansylla, he is creating a free speech triangle where spectators can transform into orators and will be allowed to speak of any issue. The original Speakers’ Corner was legally established 1872 in Hyde Park England. What used to be a stage for hangings, transformed into a landmark for public speaking.

According to the artist, “The Art Under the Bridge Festival is known for its free spirited art and is a festival where people from all walks of life go to be surprised, challenged and also like to engage with the artist and with the art piece. A salient characteristic of DUMBO is the intermittent train passing through the Manhattan Bridge. The encroaching noise of the train will turn on and off the voices of the orators. This is symbolic of our democratic system that allows only some voices to be heard and others are silenced.”

This installation can interact with other public performances going on in the Pearl Square Triangle, as the purpose is to watch how this free speech zone is used (or not). Come check it out all weekend at the Pearl Street Triangle (Anchorage Place, Pearl Street, Water Street).

{Got something to say? Let’s hear it, 10Sept2008, Brooklyn Paper}