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Art of the Day: World’s Smallest Woman Arrives in Coney Island

Posted in art, sideshow, tagged Jack Constantine, San Gennaro, Single-O, World's Smallest Woman on September 2, 2012| 2 Comments »

World’s Smallest Woman Showfront, Coney Island. September 1, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

On Saturday, the World’s Smallest Woman arrived for her annual run in Coney Island prior to playing the September 13-23rd Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy. The single-O attraction is set up in Cha Cha’s Steeplechase Park near the West 12th Street entrance. ATZ learned that this particular “World’s Smallest Woman” is named Elizabeth and hails from Haiti. She is one of sideshow impresario Jack Constantine’s five “World’s Smallest Women” who travel the U.S. carnival and fair circuit. We’ve seen this ever-popular attraction at the New York State Fair, Florida State Fair and State Fair Meadowlands, among others. Four of the ladies are Haitian and one is Jamaican.

In past years the show has charged as little as 50 cents admission. Whatever the price–it’s the front of the show that gets the dough! When the trailer-mounted showfront was unfolded, the fanciful, time-tested advertisement for the World’s Smallest Woman was revealed- “29 Tiny Inches – Hands 2 In. Wide. Size 2 Shoe – 10,000 Reward If Not Real and Alive. As Seen in LIFE – You Talk to Her – She Will Talk to You.”

Detail of World’s Smallest Woman Showfront, Coney Island. September 1, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Art of the Day: Out of Disorder (Coney Island) by Takahiro Iwasaki

Posted in art, tagged C24 Gallery, Coney Island, International Studio & Curatorial Program, sculpture, Takahiro Iwasaki, Wonder Wheel on August 21, 2012| 1 Comment »

Out of Disorder (ConeyIsland) 2012 by Takahiro Iwasaki. Courtesy of C24Gallery

The 180-metric ton Wonder Wheel inspired this ethereal ten-inch tall sculpture by Hiroshima-based artist Takahiro Iwasaki. Along with neighboring Coney Island landmarks the Parachute Jump and Cyclone, the piece is on view at C24 Gallery in Chelsea through August 24. Titled “Out of Disorder (Coney Island) 2012,” the miniature models are made of fibers pulled from the beach towels on which they are perched!

“Takahiro Iwasaki builds exquisite, intricate, almost impossibly tiny structures, associated with industrial society and faith traditions on micro landscapes (of towels and other domestic fabrics) that seem one breath away from destruction,” according to the gallery’s release for the group show “Becoming: Worlds in Flux.” Curator Melissa Keys and all of the artists were 2012 residents at the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in Brooklyn.

“Becoming: Worlds in Flux” through August 24, 2012 at C24 Gallery, 514 West 24th Street, New York, NY, 646-416-6300

Art of the Day: Steeplechase Funny Place by Bonnie Siracusa

Posted in amusement park, art, tagged Bonnie Siracusa, post office, Steeplechase Park on August 16, 2012| 9 Comments »

Steeplechase Mural by Bonnie Siracusa, Mermaid Avenue Post Office, Coney Island. Photo by AmusingtheZillion.com

When Coney Island’s amusement area had a U.S. Post Office on Surf Avenue in Steeplechase Park, visitors mailed hundreds of thousands of postcards from the World’s Playground. Steeplechase closed in 1964 but Coney Island’s post office on Mermaid Avenue at 28th Street is worth a trip. It’s a bit of a hike from the amusement area but the interior is decorated with murals of Steeplechase, the Funny Place by artist Bonnie Siracusa. The Human Roulette Wheel, Parachute Jump and Pavilion of Fun are among the subjects along with the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone.