Mayor Bloomberg Kicks Off Week Of Art Events In NYC
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - New York City is getting artsy.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg describes his favorite painting to WCBS 880's Rich Lamb
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The city is hosting a number of events through March 7 showcasing some of the best pieces of contemporary and modern art. The weeklong event is expected to draw 60,000 visitors and produce $40 million in economic activity.
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At a kick-off event Wednesday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that when he first worked in the city, he looked in the window of an art gallery and the proprietor came out to invite him in.
"I talked about this picture. It was a picture of Copley Square in Boston - I grew up in Boston - in the winter and I liked it and I said, 'How much is it?' and I think it was $2,500 and I said 'It's not in my budget.' I was making $9,000 a year then," said Mayor Bloomberg at the Armory Show at Pier 92 on the West Side.
But the art dealer let him take it home for $25 a week.
The billionaire mayor indicates that's his favorite among all of his paintings "because I had to sacrifice to get it."
The 13th Annual Armory Show has a total of 275 exhibits containing art from 31 countries. Modern art is shown at Pier 92 while contemporary art is exhibited at Pier 94.
Other events include the Art Show, Volta NY, Pulse, Scope New York, Verge, Red Dot, Moving Image, Independent, and Fountain.
"Last year more than 20 million of the record 48.7 million people that visited New York City participated in a cultural activity," Bloomberg said.
"For more than ten years the month of March has become a focal point for the arts scene for visitors from around the world," said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company.
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"New York City is home to the finest artists and art institutions in the world," said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin. "We are thrilled that dynamic art fairs will enhance our neighborhoods throughout the month of March, and invite audiences from across the five boroughs and around the globe to explore all our extraordinary cultural offerings."
NYC & Company will be offering a number of hotel promotions during the Armory Arts Show including free night stays and complimentary tickets to some of the shows.
