This article was printed in an earlier issue of Downtown Magazine
DAN V. ANDERSON SEES MOVEMENT between shapes and colors by removing the boundaries of his own creativity through hyper-visualization. “I take all forms of composition: light, form, and energy, and create a constantly moving dynamic expression; there’s nothing static about it,” he says. “Each one of my works gets into a new theory—like order within chaos.”
A New Jersey native, Anderson began his creative journey at the age of seven when his mother convinced him of his talent through a coloring contest that she created. He “won” and was awarded his first coloring books along with a box of crayons. From that point on, Anderson was driven to pursue art, and eventually ended up with multiple scholarships to Syracuse University.
Anderson does not consider himself to be a sculptor or a painter; he is inspired by Salvador Dali, and considers himself to be a “conceptual thinker.” He attempts to solve the perplexities of the world though his artistic expression, and to shine light on what others may not notice.
“I see a form in my mind that seems animated and must be translated and interpreted as another form,” Anderson says. He coined the term “supreme abstraction,” which is his own unique method of painting. His mind is constantly decoding, breaking down, and rebuilding compositional concepts to fully grasp and “feel the energy” of the various forms of matter. In Diffusion Series #6, Equilibrium Dissolve (above), he used sculptural canvas to create movement, energy, and resolution. Anderson says, “This relationship of light, shadow, and form in a physical evolution is what is captivating to observe. The viewer gets to witness the sculpture as an interconnected byproduct of the very factors that define its own dimension, only to be redefined by its very own compositional elements.”
The Dream Continued, which will be revealed on World Peace Day, is Anderson’s current project and philanthropic focus. The sculpture is inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and focuses on the concepts of equality, opportunity, and unity in relation to education and the aspirations of children. The sculpture consists of four children playing a game of jacks. One of the girls holds a sphere that symbolizes the Earth and emphasizes that children hold the future of our planet in their hands. Each jack is a collection of four fists, symbolizing resistance to inequality. The Dream Continued is the first of six projects titled The HEX Factor. Each project will bring awareness to a world issue, and focuses on spreading feelings of “equality, unity, and love that reinforces the bettering of a global society.” The project will be accompanied by The Dream Continued XOXO bracelets and other purchasable works of art, the sales of which will be used to benefit philanthropic organizations. DT dvande.com
During the wintertime, the short daylight hours, cold weather and gray skies often lead people to spend time hunkering down in their homes. You might want to sleep more or just curl up on the couch in a blanket and binge on movies or shows. For some people, this seasonal slump is more. It could be a seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression. It’s important to think about your symptoms so that you can make an appointment with your doctor if your depression persists or worsens.
Symptoms of SAD
SAD is a type of depression, and its symptoms are similar to those of other types of depression. They include a depressed mood or persistent feelings of hopelessness. You may lack energy and lose the pleasure you feel when doing your favorite activities, such as walking your dog or watching sports. Other symptoms include changes in appetite, excessive sleepiness or insomnia, heaviness in arms and legs, relationship problems, carbohydrate cravings, weight gain, trouble concentrating and thoughts of self-harm.
Causes of SAD
Scientists and doctors don’t have a definitive answer about what causes SAD, but they do have many ideas. The decrease in sunlight in the wintertime might affect a person’s circadian rhythm. This sends your internal clock on a tailspin and lowers your levels of serotonin and melatonin, which are hormones that affect your mood sleepiness. Young females have a higher risk of SAD, which could be related to the menstrual cycle. People who live far away from the equator also have a higher risk of SAD. This is because places far away from the equator get even less sunlight during the wintertime.
When to Call Your Doctor
If your depressed or sad mood lasts for more than a week or two without a break, call your doctor. You should also make an appointment with your doctor if your sleep or appetite changes. Call your primary care doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist or a licensed counselor. Make a list of questions to ask yourself and the healthcare provider. You might consider asking which behavioral changes you could make, what other conditions could cause your symptoms and what helps or worsens your symptoms.
Treatment Options for SAD
As with other types of depression, each person responds differently to the treatment options. You might have to try more than one type of treatment in order to find the best fit for you. Light therapy is a common treatment for SAD. It involves exposure to a full-spectrum light bulb. You can buy one and put it in the lamp by your favorite sitting spot. Psychotherapy is another common treatment. Also called “talk therapy,” it involves counseling with a trained and licensed therapist. You might also consider medications. Anti-depressant medications take a few weeks to make a difference, but they are very helpful to people with intense SAD symptoms.
What You Can Do Today
In addition to visiting your doctor, there are some lifestyle changes that you can make in order to improve your mood. Spend some time outside, especially on sunny winter days. Choose nutritious foods, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol or excessive caffeine. Get some exercise every day, and consider trying mindfulness or mental relaxation exercises. Spend some time each day doing something you love, such as reading a novel, playing with your dog or knitting.
With extreme weather coming our way, nestling at home with a cup of hot cocoa is the way to go. Safety is key when it comes to blizzards and such. Duce Construction, a full-service General Contractor and Construction Management firm, has you covered with tips to keep your home intact amid the intense weather changes over the winter season.
Photo Credit: Andre Furtado via Pexels
Sewerage
If you have any indoor sinks or outside walls with plumbing, allow your sink to drip a little to prevent any indoor pipes against outdoor walls from freezing. The same goes for water pipes that run through unheated areas of your home or building.
Photo Credit: Digital Buggu via Pexels
Turn Off Faucet
If you haven’t done so already, turn off and drain outdoor faucets – If you have a hose make sure to disconnect it, turn the faucet to “off” and drain it. Water trapped inside can freeze as we approach colder temperatures and can lead to very serious damage.
Photo Credit: Kaboompics.com via Pexels
Humidify
If humidity levels are too low, your furniture, artwork, woodwork, flooring, and paint is at risk. Not to mention, you’re also at risk of catching colds and experiencing dry and itchy skin. To tackle the negative effects of dry air, it’s important to keep your home’s indoor relative humidity level somewhere between 30 and 45 percent. By doing so the air’s need to replenish moisture and little or no evaporation from your body takes place and minimizes.
Photo Credit: Roman Koval via Pexels
As a result, you can actually turn down your thermostat about three degrees and maintain comfort and warmth while saving on energy costs. There are a plethora of ways to humidify the air in your home. You can utilize a single-room humidifier or install a home humidifier connected directly to your HVAC system. These humidifiers work automatically to ensure the air in your home is at an ideal relative humidity level. It is also advised to use a more accurate digital thermostat containing humidity control to automate the process and keep your system at peak efficiency.
Keep yourself nourished with healthy, tasty local foods at Fulton Stall Market CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Winter Farm Share. The program has just begun and it runs through March 19.
You can subscribe for your choice of thirteen share options of winter vegetables, fruit, eggs, cheese, pasta, mushrooms, soup, seafood, chicken, beef, and/or pork – from nine farmers and local producers. A NEW Frozen Heat N Serve share option has been added featuring a rotation of delicious farm-sourced quiches, pot pies, tamales, knishes, and turkey sausages.
Winter CSA Farm Share options and costs are listed here as well as on the website. Pick-up is on Thursdays from 5:30–8:00PMat Fulton Stall Market, 91 South St.
Hot Saucelogy Cooking Class
The next event at FSM will be a Hot Sauceology class, on March 11. Timothy Fraczak, founder of Pepplish Provisions and Chief Hot Saucier will teach the science and art of making hot sauce.
In this two-hour workshop people will learn the process of making hot sauce and will have the chance to create their own sauces. There will also be food and refreshments served during the workshop, so you can taste your spicy creation on some dishes.
The Hot Sauceology Cooking Class will take place at the FSM, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, on March 11. You can register online.
As Christmas is only two days away, kids will obviously be out for winter recess. In this case, keeping them busy is a must and of course, Downtown New York has you covered with activities that’ll make them want to extend their winter break!
From December 14 through March 1, 2020, the exuberant ice cream pop up will be opened in Soho. Kids will relish sliding down the immense three-tier slide as well as tasting original and new ice cream flavors. There is also an ice-cream-themed “subway” for the kids to take the ride of their lives and a pool of rainbow sprinkles to go for that dive! The best part is that yummy treats will be provided at every little nook and cranny for them to munch on. All tickets cost $39 and children ages two and below won’t need a ticket.
Are your kids into the ooey gooey stuff? Well, they are in luck because the Ottendorfer Library in the East Village is offering a workshop to make snow slime at 3 pm. Children ages 4 to 12 can access this event. Also, all materials are complimentary!
Come to the DR2 Theater in Union Square with your kiddos to watch one of society’s favorite bears come to action. Paddington Bear is making his beloved marmalade jam with Mrs. Bird, the housekeeper’s, assistance. The pair runs out of sugar for the marmalade which causes Paddington to go next door and borrow some sugar from his irritable neighbor Mr. Curry. Afterwards, Paddington enlists in helping to get the house ready for his visitors, which becomes a recipe for disaster!
This literary classic will be shown live at the The Seaport Museum. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show Experience showcases a bunch of puppets, truly adapting three of Eric Carle’s stories: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, including the main story of the event, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Photo Cred: Hanover Theatre
All performances emphasize The Very Hungry Caterpillar paired with the story listed below:
12/26, 12/28, 12/29:
10 am – Brown Bear, Brown Bear; 11:30 am – 10 Little Rubber Ducks; 1 pm – Brown Bear, Brown Bear
12/27:
10 am – 10 Little Rubber Ducks; 11:30 am – Brown Bear, Brown Bear;1 pm – 10 Little Rubber Ducks
Come with your kids to watch this spectacular show at the SoHo Playhouse. This musical is based on Angelina and her friends planning a fun holiday dance pageant for the holidays. Angelina and her crew experience a mix-up that stops the pageant from happening, therefore, the group has to utilize their creativity to make it happen! Overall, this show will teach your kids a great moral, which is about spreading and sharing the holiday cheer rather than presents you receive.
Photo Credit: Petite Seat
Tickets start at $25 and should be ordered in advance.
With winter being only nine days away, the majority of folks want to stay at home and curl up under the covers with their four-legged friends, loved ones, or simply by themselves. Some, however, don’t mind that 20 degrees and below weather because they want to take the city streets in style with their winter gear. Two major fashion essentials for the winter would have to be a pair of boots and a stylish coat. With this being stated, Downtown Magazine has rounded up ten boots and coats that’ll give your outfit a pop this winter…not to mention, keep you warm!
Boots:
Gabriela Hearst’s Bocca Leather Knee Boots:
Gabriel Hearst Bocca Leather Knee Boots
These Bocca Leather Knee Boots are everything! First of all, you can’t go wrong with black leather boots. Leather is known for keeping you warm in the winter–and of course, black always makes you look sleek. These boots also have an almond-shaped tip, which is amazing because your feet won’t feel tight if you decide to wear thick socks. Most importantly, you will feel comfortable when walking in these boots because they have a stacked block heel!
Mango’s Faux Shearling Trimmed and Lined Leather Wedge Boots:
Mango Faux Shearling Trimmed and Lined Leather Wedge Boots
These Faux Shearling Trimmed and Lined Leather Boots have a rubber sole and wedge heel, which is optimal for the winter slush out on the streets. Not to mention that the faux shearling trim will give your outfit that chic yet casual look without even trying!
Tory Burch’s Miller Lug Sole Bootie:
Tory Burch Miller Lug Sole Bootie
These Tory Burch Miller Lug Sole Booties should be on your feet ASAP. These guys have a tracked rubber lug sole and high block heel that will have you looking like a million bucks as well as covered for the upcoming winter, especially for the sidewalks that’ll be covered with rock salt.
Sorel’s Joan of Arctic Next Faux Fur Waterproof Snow Boot:
Sorel Joan of Arctic Next Faux Fur Waterproof Snow Boot
Dreading snow boots? Well, the thought of actually dreading to put on a pair will be over because Sorel took their signature Joan of Arctic winter boot to another level. These boots are lightweight and contain a minor platform lift. The boot is also insulated and features a new sole which was created to increase the traction on specific areas of the foot where it’ll receive more contact with the ground.
Tretorn’s Chelsea Rain Boot:
Tretorn Chelsea Rain Boot
These may be rain boots, however, they will certainly work for the sleet and snow. What’s so amazing about Tretorn’s Chelsea Rain Boots is that they don’t even look like rain boots at all, which means you’ll look like a rockstar. The most amazing benefit these boots offer is the softly lined faux fur which provides comfort and warmth for your feet.
These babies are not just for winter hiking activities but can be utilized to walk the icy cobblestones of Downtown New York. These stylish-looking boots are made in Italy from glittered beige suede and are lined with a shearling that’ll have your feet feeling cozier than ever.
Ross & Snow’s Waterproof Genuine Shearling Lined Boot:
Ross & Snow’s Waterproof Genuine Shearling Lined Boot
These chic pairs of boots are waterproof, which means you won’t have to change into another pair of shoes once you walk into work or the event you’re attending. These boots are made with SuPreen weatherproofing technology for protection from moisture, mud, snow, and slush.
Timberland Jayne Waterproof Hiking Boot:
Timberland Jayne Waterproof Hiking Boot
Timbs are so New York City, which you can’t go wrong with every winter. The Jayne Waterproof Hiking Boot was inspired by Timberland’s OG hiking boot. The difference is that this model was made in a slimmer and sleek silhouette with a lug-sole that features an OrthoLite comfort footbed that makes it easier for one to walk in the cold weather.
The North Face Back to Berkeley Redux Waterproof Bootie:
The North Face Back to Berkeley Redux Waterproof Bootie
If you’re into that classy streetwear look, then these booties are the ones for you. These boots will have your feet feeling warm and dry even when trekking through the snow, black ice, and slush. They are also insulated, which means you don’t have to wear thick socks!
Dr. Martens Leonore Burnished Wyoming Leather Fashion Boot:
Dr. Martens Leonore Burnished Wyoming Leather Fashion Boot
Doc Martens always provide the elegant grunge look, no matter the weather. The Leonore Burnished Wyoming Leather Fashion boots are one of a kind as they are completely lined with shearling to keep the toes warm. They’re extremely sturdy and toughened on the outside as most Doc’s are, however, are very soft on the inside.
Coats:
Marc Jacobs Sofia Loves The Peacoat:
Marc Jacobs Sofia Loves The Peacoat
This Classic A-line faux fur peacoat will give you the preppy look you’ve always envisioned, especially throughout the coldest temperatures. This coat has a double-breasted button front and two side pockets where you can toss your gloves in one and phone in the other.
Canada Goose Ellesmere Parka:
Canada Goose Ellesmere Parka
Canada Goose is where it’s at when it comes to winter coats. Whether this jacket is an “it” piece or not, it features a soft down fill, a fur ruff, and a volatile shell and is constructed to tackle the challenges winter is bound to bring. Of course, the glossy fabric at the collar is a bonus and presents the coat with a state of the art touch to its silhouette.
Orolay Women’s Thickened Down Jacket:
Orolay Women’s Thickened Down Jacket
This down coat is so functional: windproof, waterproof, and fashionable.
It has six big pockets for keeping items of importance and a special side zipper that’ll allow you to feel more comfortable when it comes to unzipping. Not to mention, the jacket is light and will keep you warmer than ever.
Patagonia Dusty Mesa High Pile Fleece Parka:
Patagonia Dusty Mesa High Pile Fleece Parka
Not looking forward to wearing an oversized coat or typical peacoat this winter? Patagonia is here to save the day! This sherpa style coat has a three-panel hood and ribbed cuffs as well as pockets that’ll make your hands feel at home since they are so warm.
Ralph Lauren Fringe Wool Blend Wrap Coat:
Lauren Ralph Lauren Fringe Wool Blend Wrap Coat
If you’ve ever wanted to throw on a jacket that looked comforting and classy at the same time, then this coat is the one for you. This blanket-like coat has a shoulder-spanning shawl collar flowing in a noteworthy fringe that complements it in every way.
Stand Studio Maria Cocoon oversized faux shearling coat:
Stand Studio Maria Cocoon oversized faux shearling coat
This coat is the absolute piece to boost up your self-esteem on an extremely cold day since it comes in a soft lilac color. This piece is cut in an oversized shape and is made from a fuzzy faux shearling with satin lining. It’ll provide you with an “under the covers” type of feel as its oversizeness and coziness resemble that of a duvet cover.
The North Face Metropolis Parka:
The North Face Metropolis Parka
This long-length quilted puffer coat was created to cover you from your neck to your knees. Even though it appears to be puffy, the coat’s silhouette will provide you with a polished and presentable look. The coat is also designed to combat temperatures below 20 degrees and the material is water-resistant, which makes it the perfect piece of outerwear for the upcoming snow days!
L.L. Bean Classic Lambswool Polo Coat:
L.L. Bean Classic Lambswool Polo Coat
This wool polo coat will give you the charming and sophisticated look you are craving for this winter. Most importantly, you will feel warm enough to resist cold temperatures this upcoming winter when wearing this coat.
The Arrivals Moya IV LMTD, Oversized Shearling Moto Jacket:
The Arrivals Moya IV LMTD, Oversized Shearling Moto Jacket
This is not your ordinary moto jacket as this one was designed to be worn for almost every occasion you can think of, such as hiking trips and a night out in the town with the crew. The jacket has a suede and smooth leather exterior along with a straight and curly wool interior, which are designed to keep you warmer than ever out in the cold temperatures!
Mango Quilted Reversible Anorak:
Mango Quilted Reversible Anorak
This coat looks oversized and puffy, but what makes it a “must-have” is its reversibility. No one will notice that you are wearing the same coat! Most importantly, this piece goes down to your knees and has full neck coverage as it contains a turtle neck. Therefore, you won’t even have to wear a scarf!
Anderson does not consider himself to be a sculptor or a painter; he is inspired by Salvador Dali, and considers himself to be a “conceptual thinker.” He attempts to solve the perplexities of the world though his artistic expression, and to shine light on what others may not notice.
