Just Say No
At the very end of the press conference earlier this month about his upcoming retirement, Metropolitan Museum of Art director Philippe de Montebello was asked if he would write his memoirs — and as far as I can tell, his full answer has not been previously reported. Although he didn’t mention his predecessor Thomas Hoving, […]
The Two Faces of Philippe
So excited was gripebox to publish the world-exclusive news of Philippe de Montebello‘s resignation from his post as director the Metropolitan Museum of Art last night, I didn’t notice the gem of revisionism hidden at the bottom of the New York Times story that was posted on its web site some 90 minutes later until […]
Scoop: De Montebello Resigns
A report has just surfaced (at 6:30 PM for those keeping track of who had it first) that Philippe de Montebello has resigned his post as director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but for the moment, at least, the museum is not confirming it. “The director is meeting with staff members,” says museum spokesman […]
Stallman Resurrected
My 1999 interview with free software guru Richard Stallman has been resurrected and named one of the top ten stories of this week by Free Software Daily Magazine.
Washington Place Freeze Out
The welcoming new western entrance to Washington Square.
Requiem for a Heavyweight
So goodbye, Washington Square. This e-mail invitation just arrived: Dear Friend of Washington Square Park, It is with frustration and remorse that I write to inform you of a memorial service for the spirit of Washington Square Park. A number of our neighbors in Greenwich Village will be gathering this Wednesday, December 19, at 6 […]
View From the Top
A banker in San Francisco just sent me this image of the stunning 71st Street setbacks and D-line terraces of 740 Park Avenue, shot from an apartment across the street. It’s from a listing for a $15 million 10-room apartment at 730 Park Avenue, being sold by Serena Boardman of Sotheby’s International.
Eduardog Bites
Watch this incredible piece of eco-conscious collage art by Eduardo Guelfenbein:
Henry Kravis Punk’d
The makers of “The Homes of Henry Kravis don’t mention 740 Park, but he used to live there, too. The Times writes the movie up (with a cameo appearance by 740’s Steve Schwarzman) here.
Circle in the Square
The long delayed renovation of Washington Square Park has been cleared by the courts — the decision is here — and is set to begin any second now. While the protesters are understandably disappointed, some of the locals may have a bigger shock in store as the huge rat population in the park (the small […]