Yesterday was a day of reconnaisance. The Times Square to Art Square expedition seems to be lodged in one of the more squalid though nonetheless inaffordable hostels of Little Chinatown. We had a hard time persuading the owner that one towel was not going to be enough for two people. 

Little Italy is just around the corner, and when sitting at a red-and-white chequered terrace table with a ‘Bud’ and a slice of pizza for $6, I had to refrain from shouting ‘Tony, eh! What’s da matter withchu?’ Until perfect, I pratice my impersonation on Justus.

At night we took a trip to Times Square, where Justus and I brazenly walked into the Marriott Marquis Hotel, arguably among the most expensive hotels in the City. We walked up to the frontdesk clerk, started our pitch, handed out the brochure, and showed out trailer. ‘Wouldn’t the Marriott be interested in making this happen?’ We immediatly got set up with an appointment with the Marriott Press Agent; I’m hoping for at least two towels per person.

New Yorkers in general seem to be very sympathetic to the plan of changing all the advertisements on Times Square into art, if just for an hour or a day. One police officer thought the plan is actually very likely to succeed. ‘Sure, why not? Last summer Bloomberg (the mayor- AB) closed down half of Times Square on a whim- just so that they could put some chairs and tables there. I’m sure he’d love the idea.’ Good news- we’re on our way to an appointment with the deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey.      

Best thing so far? The look on JustusBruns’s face when we walked out of the subway and saw Times Square- for the very first time.

Alexander Bakkes, NYC