West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG

Search the site

No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

UWS Apple Bank Clock Spurs Random Existential Thought

January 5, 2025 | 6:03 AM
in ABSURDITY, ART, COLUMNS
28

By Gary Martin

The new year has got me thinking some random existential thoughts — some of which have turned into illustrations here. This was inspired while contemplating the long overdue fix to the Apple Bank clock on 72nd Street.

Also — this new year has inspired me to try out a new technique of drawing on top of B&W photos. What say you? Thumbs up or down?

Anyway — here’s to a new year filled with existential thinking and trying new ways of doing things!

* * *

Gary B. Martin is an illustrator and animator who has lived on the Upper West Side for over 30 years. His illustrations appear in the Rag on Sundays, chronicling life in the neighborhood, New York City, and the Universe. See them all here. For a broader range of Gary’s work, including animations and other motion graphics, please visit www.martoons.com

Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here. And you can Support the Rag here.

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

28 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
birdie
birdie
4 months ago

First – gotta say I love the illustration on top of a photograph. Curious to see where you take that.
As for your musing about time being over, gotta hope that “time” never comes!

4
Reply
Ellen White
Ellen White
4 months ago

Love the new style!

4
Reply
Anthony Jiga
Anthony Jiga
4 months ago

Now you’ve got me wondering, Gary. What is colder than absolute zero?

2
Reply
Judy Orich
Judy Orich
4 months ago

Gary, your creativity and artistic style is unique and wonderful to view. Continue evolving and expressing yourself however you see fit !

6
Reply
Neal Leibowitz
Neal Leibowitz
4 months ago

Strenuous exercise makes time stand still.

1
Reply
Meg Roberts
Meg Roberts
4 months ago

Like the new style! But it doesn’t need to be one or the other. As for your existential thinking – you are so thought provoking always – this is just more insight into your brilliant, quirky, funny, and imaginative mind! Keep us inspired!!

4
Reply
Sharon
Sharon
4 months ago

I love when you draw on black and white.

2
Reply
David
David
4 months ago

I love the new style.

2
Reply
Debfrombrooklyn
Debfrombrooklyn
4 months ago

This is perfect! I love using a photo as the background. Happy New Year! Time flies, eh?

2
Reply
Ken J.
Ken J.
4 months ago
Reply to  Debfrombrooklyn

No, they go too fast.

0
Reply
Max Bialistock
Max Bialistock
4 months ago

Philadelphia.

2
Reply
Victor N.
Victor N.
4 months ago

No time? Not big deal. Just like before the Big Bang.

1
Reply
ecm
ecm
4 months ago

Wherever one goes when one is over, time follows.

1
Reply
Mia
Mia
4 months ago

I love the layering and am also interested to see where it will go. As for your question, I’m thinking the answers lies in physics. But we probably don’t know (yet).

1
Reply
Nancy
Nancy
4 months ago

“In the time of your life, live—so that in that wondrous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it.” Wm. Saroyan

3
Reply
wizzie
wizzie
4 months ago

Any word from Apple Bank as to when the clock will be fixed? I depend on it at least once a day! I’ll ask my teller next Wednesday…

3
Reply
Sydney
Sydney
4 months ago
Reply to  wizzie

I miss it every time I go outside. Please let us know. Thank you.

0
Reply
Mark
Mark
4 months ago

Perhaps it just a coincidence, but doesn’t legend have it that a falling apple inspired Newton to greatness? Just sayin’.

2
Reply
Eric
Eric
4 months ago

The answer doesn’t lie behind the beyond but beyond the behind.

1
Reply
Lisa C.
Lisa C.
4 months ago

Thumbs up! Love it

2
Reply
Melissa
Melissa
4 months ago

I love both styles. No need to just stick with one. You are so creative. When you find out where time does go, please let me know.

1
Reply
Anna
Author
Anna
4 months ago

Time flows into the Memory Bank.

1
Reply
Choir Singer
Choir Singer
4 months ago

Thumbs up for the new style!

1
Reply
Stef Lev
Stef Lev
4 months ago

Glad the clock will be fixed. FYI, not to be picky, but the Apple Bank clock is on 73rd St.

4
Reply
Sydney
Sydney
4 months ago
Reply to  Stef Lev

Where did you hear/read it will be fixed?

0
Reply
jean mensing
jean mensing
4 months ago

I bet Einstein knows where time goes……Let’s ask him…..

1
Reply
Don
Don
4 months ago

Good question!!!

1
Reply
Edith Tyson
Edith Tyson
4 months ago

Awww.

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

Throwback Thursday: Cars, Cabs, and Buses on the UWS in the 1970s and 80s
COLUMNS

Throwback Thursday: Cars, Cabs, and Buses on the UWS in the 1970s and 80s

May 15, 2025 | 8:37 AM
West Side Canvas: Finding a Way Inside an UWS Firehouse
ART

West Side Canvas: Finding a Way Inside an UWS Firehouse

May 15, 2025 | 8:35 AM
Previous Post

‘Such a Brutal Thing To Do’: After Nearly Half a Century, an UWS Building Loses Its Gargoyles

Next Post

Monday Bulletin: Small Change of Storm Track Could Bring Big Snow to NYC; Zabar’s Bagel Guillotines; Tiny Central Park Fire Hydrant Finds a Friend

this week's events image
Next Post
Monday Bulletin: Small Change of Storm Track Could Bring Big Snow to NYC; Zabar’s Bagel Guillotines; Tiny Central Park Fire Hydrant Finds a Friend

Monday Bulletin: Small Change of Storm Track Could Bring Big Snow to NYC; Zabar's Bagel Guillotines; Tiny Central Park Fire Hydrant Finds a Friend

Man Robbed in Riverside Park by Teens Flashing Gun and Knife:  NYPD

2 People Shot Inside UWS Convenience Store: NYPD

Improve Your Health & Fitness Anywhere, On Demand, at Silver Stars Fitness Online

Silver Stars Fitness: For Men and Women Ages 60+ Who Want To Get Healthy and Fit in 2025

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.