Aha, I finally found it, and it is closer to home than I thought — home being the 181 at Rockefeller Center. The Onassis Cultural Center Public Space is across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on 51st Street near 5th Avenue. I thought sure this space was a few blocks north of here but I’m always happy to be wrong, as it makes being right about something that much more righteous. This place has a piano and, best of all, 3 payphones! Whoop. They are PTS phones, all with dial tone.

I don’t have much time here today as I have to head back before 4, I think, for my own workflow notions. There is a stone horse’s head sitting alone on a shelf, inevitably evoking thoughts of “The Godfather” and that iconic scene from cinema which actually made me laugh the first time I saw it. 

The walls are adorned with a set of Parthenon Marble Casts, which are copies of works at the Parthenon. At first glance I was impressed at what appeared to be ancient antiquities, but would not be surprised that the Onassis Foundation would make such a lofty acquisition. Then I thought “If they’re not antiquities than they are damn good copies,” and that is what they are. Damn good copies. The disembodied horsehead is a little weird to me but I can cope. 

I would not make this a regular stop on account of the piano being present, though I am curious to know who plays it and what style. The pianist at Citi didn’t do much for me except make me want to leave. But again, one would expect the a grand piano, that requisite flourish of æsthetically informed wealth, to be present at any facility bearing the Onassis name.

Unlike the Citi piano this one is presently covered with a cloth protective casing, suggesting (perhaps) that it sees infrequent use compared to the Citi piano, which appears to be used every weekday. I can’t tell what brand piano it is.

A water flowing through something is set up to look like it is flowing upward. Is it mirrors?

I am not understanding the Onassis Cultural Center logo, which looks like it belongs on a bank or insurance company… OK I looked it up, I guess it’s supposed to be a ship’s sail and a rush of water beneath the hull? mmm, ok.

Will stay longer next time, gotsta run.