Photograph by Bruce Davidson
 
Photos of old school New York before they switched over to the subway trains that couldn’t be graffitied on. New York has sadly lost a lot of its character since then (as well as many of its characters, too!)
 

Photograph by John F. Conn
 

Photograph by Bruce Davidson
 
See more photos after the jump…
 

 
If you appreciate intelligent political humor, especially when delivered by Brits, you’ll pee your pants for The Bugle, the free weekly Times Online comedy podcast. Daily Show correspondent/writer John Oliver calling in from New York City and fellow Brit comedian Andy Zaltzman in London deliver an excellent 40-minute fake news show, replete with grandiose trumpet fanfare, horribly stretched-out puns, and a lot of schoolgirl-style giggling. Plus zingers like these:

Bush admitted that standing under a banner that read “Mission Accomplished” was a mistake—which is like apologizing for spelling someone’s name wrong on the birthday cake you made them out of shit.

Here’s some highlights from the audio newspaper for a visual world:
 

 
After the jump, the Bugle asks an American…
 

 
I honestly don’t know what to make of this one.

This is an absurdist art piece from an ongoing project in which the artist David Livingston wears a 6’ long flaccid felt penis that he sewed and stuffed with sofa upholstery. All of his video art pieces thus far have taken place in various New York City neighborhoods.

From New York Press:

I find its childish humor appealing, and I am fascinated by my sudden transformation from anonymous pedestrian to attention-grabbing street performer. I don’t have to say a word, and it affects people in a whole host of ways. Most people either laugh or look away awkwardly. Some people are curious and want to start a conversation. Some people respond with anger. For me, the performance is about overcoming fear, but I like that it means something different to everyone who encounters me.

(via Nerdcore)

John Hurt is appearing as Quentin Crisp in a film about the cultural icon’s time in New York?

This very cool web art project from the Tenement Project’s Digital Arts in Residence Program follows a young Chinese woman’s effort to connect with her heritage and history by exploring traditional Chinese shrines in and around Manhattan. Explore with her through the interactive browser. Great concept, great design.

(Gods of Chinatown)

Bump… Swoon Magazine, the awesome Los Angeles / New York underground fashion mag that I covered previously on Dangerous Minds is now shipping.

This issue features on the current Los Angeles and New York music scenes (and this stuff is actually GOOD. I hate most music and especially indie crap but editor Kelly McKay is an adept at finding and publicizing Truly New and Exciting and Interesting bands that people haven’t heard of and really should. This stuff WILL expand your cultural knowledge base about 17 chess moves past the party line.)

Bands featured in this issue:

From LA: We Are The World, Weave, Rainbow Arabia, Marfa and Ne-af, Fancy Space People, Hard Place, Hecuba, Jer Ber Jones.

From NYC: Preacher and the Knife, Bellmer Dolls, Lights, New York Night Train, Golden Triangle, Patrick Cleandenim, Rebecca Cherry, The Nasties, Electric Tickle Machine, The Beets, Light Asylum, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, White Diamonds, Class Actress, Bunny Rabbit.

Get yours here before they’re gone!

My very good friend Kelly McKay’s fashion magazine Swoon is launching its latest issue, a split publication devoted to the New York and Los Angeles music scenes. Issue five, arriving immanently, is available for pre-order?