Every year Manhattan’s distinct uniform grid layout (as does
any city with this patterned master plan) lends itself to becoming an
astrological calendar. Sunsets begin around May and last for a few months, on a
clear night the uncluttered western horizon of NY provides the perfect backdrop
to this spectacle. Over the years it has
become something of mini solstice gathering, with the public halting the city’s
incessant movement for a few moments to witness an everyday wonder that so
often gets forgotten and missed in an urban context.
These spontaneous gatherings, not organised or corporately
funded, occurring in the one the world’s busiest metropolises, in a place not
designated for public crowds is poignant. It reminds of the importance and
innate wonder of sharing such an experience. The ancients recognised this and deliberately
utilised it for worship, politics, and to disseminate ideals. In contemporary
society, our busy lives and fragmented cities obscure, much of the natural
phenomena we unconsciously yearn for. When however these same cities unexpectedly
assist a natural spectacle, we are forced to stop and reflect. The urban henge
reminds us all of our shared cosmological journey and thus serves as an important
opportunity for human connection.
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