And it's shit like this:
[Photo swiped from The Observer]
Both Gothamist and NY Observer ran articles this week about this ridiculous meta/smirky/hipster phenomenon called The Bench. It's an actual bench in front of the American Apparel on Houston and Orchard. It also happens to be a couple of blocks from my apartment, and the bane of my existence. Regarded as the all-inclusive antidote to the clubby, scenester-y MisShapes sorts of affairs, it really is just a bench where the cool kids hang out on weekend nights. Apparently it's all the rage. That it seems entirely nonsensical and ridiculous is also, apparently, the point. This post is playing right into the hands of the Bench sitters!
As I've had a particularly trying week, I'm just going to direct you to the comments section in the Gothamist piece. People there seem to have the indignant and the snark in spades. That said, can I just add: does everyone have a shirt in that color?
Update: On my way back from Rosario's the other night, I took a picture of the bench in question. Yeah. Who knew that these benches could compel anyone to 1. congregate 2. care and/or 3. critique? I'm almost embarrassed at how irritated this has all made me.
talk about colonizing public space. if i had to walk through all that, i'd be plenty mad too. get outta my way!!!
Posted by: kiita | August 16, 2007 at 10:03 PM
it's justa hipper version of the bk parking lot...
Posted by: more mad | August 17, 2007 at 06:55 AM
Who gets to sit on the bench?
Posted by: Carson | August 18, 2007 at 06:45 AM