Digital Time Capsule In-Progress

This is a visual time capsule of the city I fell in love with and lived in — the before. Then, the after, the snapshot of life during this time of COVID, that has lasted so much longer than ever imagined. It documents some of my favorite memories of the city, as a personal time capsule. Then, the evolution to capturing this time with cross links to social media posts I used to document this time, as well as additional documentation.

NEW YORK

A collage of memories in visuals from the start of my life in New York to give context to the before and after. I absolutely loved to go to the museums in the city, like The Met, and feel so fortunate to have been able to go here. I fell in love with these two spots when I first saw them. When I first saw Oculus (to the left), when I hoped off the train, I was astounded (as I was so used to our more dark subway spots with the well-trodden stairs and dim lights that I was enamored with it’s architectural beauty, light and sentiment). It was so easy to take for granted because it was part of life here, and now for months, I haven’t visited the subway. Just like our arts, culture, food and heart of New York has been silent for a bit. I want to walk you through some things I loved, which gives context to the evolution of missing it so much now.

THIS SONG.

One day my friend was in the subway, when he heard this amazing cellist. He shared the clip with me and we both bought the CD. The lyrics to the songs are just wonderful and the other day I gave it a listen, as it sentimentally reminds me of when I first arrived in the city.

EXPOSURE

I also love my podcasts and I could never tell you how excited I was to wait in line in the city to see a live version of NPR's podcast, "How I Built This" by Guy Raz with the BuzzFeed founder. I felt like that was the city – the wellspring or root of innovation and creativity.

ART SHOWS

I loved getting a chance to see one of my favorite photographers, Chris Burkhard, and National Geographic photographer, Paul Nicklen.

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK MUSIC

I could hear this lovely singing and out of curiosity wandered into the park (video clip above). I also have to share the image of the piano player and his audience that had front row seats to his music that day. I had to take a pic.

CLASSIC NY

I loved this, the pianist with the audience underneath the piano.

LINCOLN CENTER

When I first saw the Lincoln Center, I knew I wanted to go to the orchestra with Mark, it was so beautiful. During the summer, I love just sitting out here with my laptop.

OCTOBER IN 2020
I started to take videos of my walks in the city, of what was the day-to-day. On the surface, it looks the same with the Empire State Building. But, upon closer reflection, the fewer walkers and those with masks. Somehow the city icons we love, are a bit of an anchor and nostalgia.

HEADPHONES

I live in my headphones in the city. It is funny the way you are around so many people here, but so often alone. I grew up with four brothers so when it is silent wherever I am, I literally have to go where there is noise sometimes because I am not used to anywhere being quiet.

MASKED STREETS
I wanted to share a little of what the streets actually felt like, so I started documenting it on TikTok and instagram for our project. There is something about resilience or the attempt at it in the city.

The Hope to Return to the Past, the Irony of That

So, we continue to dream, I cannot do this time capsule without an image of one of my favorite spaces: The Flatiron. I can’t wait for the day we can sit outside in the public places we never think twice about with people we love and hear the whir of sounds, and people talking, and the sound of car horns. I can’t wait for this day to return. One day, it will return.