Max Neuhaus, RIP

When I was 22, I started working in Times Square, a hugely mind-expanding thing for a youngster straight offa the bus from Ohio. Somehow, I discovered this sound sculpture in the little traffic island between 7th Ave. and B'way on 45th st. An oasis of "om" in the middle of Times Square chaos, it has long been one of my favorite public art projects ever -- unobtrusive, intellectually and emotionally engaging, it's got it all. Googling "Times Square sound sculpture" brought me to this nice video of the sculpture as well as an obit of its creator Max Neuhaus, who passed away this February.

Class 1 of 7, A through B, flag by Johns

Happy Independence Day. Here's "Three Flags" by Jasper Johns, and some firecracker labels below.

Go ahead and google "firecracker label" and see what you get. Here's a small sampling off of one of the best sites, http://www.crackerpacks.com/