Peter HashemW 61st St between West End Ave and 10th AveHeart Three · Location 249 · Drawn March 2003Hover over or select the image to reveal a hidden view.PhotographsDownload photograph 1Download photograph 2Download photograph 3Download photograph 4Download photograph 5Download photograph 6Download photograph 7Download photograph 8Video podcast0:00This drawing was made on the south side of 61st Street between 10th and 11th Avenue.0:06It's on one of the only stretches in the center of this block that has not changed in the last couple of years.0:12What made this area attractive to draw was that there was already a lot of drawing and artwork done here.0:18The majority of the south side of this block is occupied by a graffiti mural that stretches for about 100 yards.0:24In the center of this large mural are two chain link fences leading into what was an0:30area to park vehicles.0:32And to the right of the westerly fence is a black and white line painting.0:38You can make out representations of faces and a stagecoach.0:43This drawing was made just to the right of the fence with the eye of one of the figures0:48occupying the space where the heart is in the drawing.0:51The large painted colorful graffiti mural has evolved consistently for three years.0:57And as of spring 2006, has morphed into a brand new image without a single mark left from three years ago.1:06This is Peter Hashem. He was drawn in March of 2003. His drawing is counting ten people.1:15Now this is an interesting street. There are hints and declarations of individual input1:21absolutely everywhere. Every sign, curb, and mailbox has a mark on it. Most notably, the1:27entire south side of the street is covered in one big painted mural. On the north side1:33is an art slash music school of some sort. This cacophony of mark making is an open invitation1:40for our efforts. We are skaters at the skate park, brokers at the stock exchange,1:46first-time homeowners at the Bed Bath & Beyond 30% off everything sale. We are1:52at home. I drew Peter Hashem in an intentionally joyful pose. From what I1:58can assess from his biographies, he was a person of joy and we shared that quality2:02on this nicely lit street where we were just allowed to draw and care. The2:08The invigorating experience of seeing so many textures and patterns saturating on this stretch2:13has made the street one of my favorites.2:19Peter Hashem was a senior software engineering manager at Teradyne in Boston.2:24Peter was born in Akora, Lebanon.2:27While working with Peter, he offered on many occasions his wealth of wisdom and knowledge2:31with me, for which I can hear his voice and candid way of presenting his thoughts.2:36thoughts.2:37Although he was only forty, he did hold within him a sense of wisdom.← Location 248Heart Three · Location 249Location 250 →
