Friday, March 28th: The day was nothing remarkable when we boarded the bus. Still, there’s nothing better than running away from school to be enveloped by shiny skyscrapers and adventures with friends. Excitement coursed through the jam-packed bus (most students totally weren’t falling asleep) as it hurtled off to the city. I’ve written an awful lot of field trip articles, and the bus ride always goes the same. Look out the window and it’s trees, trees, trees, and—oh wait! More trees! At last, we stopped at a rest stop in Ramapo to stretch our legs and grab overpriced drinks. Refueled and ready, we continued our rather unsightly voyage. 

We started our trip with one of the most glorious sights: the Vessel. Opened in 2019, this copper structure rises 150 feet above the modern heart of Hudson Yards. It glimmered in the sun as we took a group picture in front of it. We then walked the highline to see the first of many works of art. Dinosaur by Iván Argote is a massive, hyper-realistic sculpture of a pigeon. At 21 feet tall, it looms over viewers from its vantage point above 30th Street and 10th Avenue. The work is intended to explore the relationship between humans and the natural world, as well as to scorn the monuments and statues dedicated to people who weren’t that great. The artist humorously states that “birds are likely more deserving of being placed on a pedestal and celebrated for their contributions to society than most.” The sculpture also makes a statement about immigration, using the bird’s European origins to suggest that everyone is an immigrant. 

After visiting Dinosaur, we began gallery-hopping. Starting on 27th Street, we raced through gallery after gallery until the rumbling in our stomachs became unbearable. The art we saw was inventive and contemporary—intriguing visually and conceptually. Occasionally it was downright ugly, but more often it was complex and meaningful. From the intricate and political works at Petzel Gallery to the fun and whimsical pieces by Julian Opie, we saw it all. 

We got lunch from Chelsea Market. Many students got tacos from the most popular stand, but there was a myriad of foods and cuisines. There was also Artists and Fleas, a marketplace for local artists and small businesses. We were dazzled by the vast array of prints, perfumes, clothing, and other artwork. We returned to Chelsea Market in the evening, exploring the stores and buying more food. Some went to the sample sale and looked at clothes worth more than all of us combined, others bought trinkets at the bookstore. Many also went to Little Island. The pier was designed by Thomas Heatherwick, who also designed the Vessel. Its 132 mushroom-like structures make it akin to a sculpture. It is home to a beautifully layered pier where we admired the skyline and relaxed. 

Alas, all good things come to an end. We bid a bittersweet farewell to the city and the bus drove back upstate. After a stop at Plattekill for Panera and Chick-Fil-A, the familiar sight of the Shaker parking lot welcomed us home.