The following photographic-rich article features story of historical Dreamland Fire of 1911 in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, which ended the Golden Era of Coney Island’s entertainment industry. Also unique original artworks by Takeshi Yamada inspired by this historical disaster were featured here. In addition, artworks inspired by two other major fire disasters took place in the city where Yamada lived for 13 years before his moving to Coney Island are also covered. Yamada is one of the most active educators and artists in New York City, and has had over 450 fine art exhibitions internationally with his paintings and sculptures. The manuscript was produced by Dr. Eriko N. Bond, noted art critic and New York City author, as told by Yamada.

TAKESHI YAMADA

ON

Chapter 4

Art Exhibitions of Artifacts of Dreamland Fire

The series of work entitled “Artifacts of Dreamland Fire 1911 in Coney Island” of Takeshi Yamada were created to be viewed by wide audience and purchased by collectors. Therefore, they have been exhibited at numerous circus sideshows, fund-raising art auctions, museums, universities, non-profit art organizations, and commercial galleries. Here are snap photographs of some of Yamada’s recent exhibitions featuring “Artifacts of Dreamland Fire 1911 in Coney Island”. 

Exhibition on the occasion of a major international marine life conservation conference and seminars

at Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York, July 16 – 18, 2006.

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TYKShow7-2006.html

(right) Solo exhibition at a local sideshow company in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY, 2005

(left) Yamada with Seara (Sea Rabbit) at the opening reception of his solo art exhibition entitled

“Rare and Extinct Marine Creatures” at the Salt Marsh Nature Center. (September 9, 2006)

(right) Yamada exhibited his 54 pieces of exotic specimens, gaffs and taxidermy artworks on the walls

and in a dozen fish tanks. Yamada also gave a lecture on the art of circus sideshows, taxidermy,

and wildlife conservation. (photographs by Diane M. Taros)

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TYSaltMarsh.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-CabofCurioPT1.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-CabofCurioPT2.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-CabofCurioP3.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-CabofCurioPT4.html

Live art demonstration at American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, New York

(June 24, 2007)

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt1.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt2.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt3.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt4.html

One of three “Cabinet of Curiosities” of Yamada on display at Brooklyn Public Library - Coney Island Branch.

With short descriptions, real historical artifacts, real natural specimens, man-made artifacts, man-made

natural specimen, artworks were all displayed together here. (April 26, 2008)

Artists at Coney art exhibition at Keyspan Park (Brooklyn Cyclone’s baseball stadium) in Coney Island.

Takeshi Yamada and Seara (sea rabbit ) at his show booth.

(October 21, 2007)

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-Artist-CI-pt1.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-Artist-CI-pt2.html

At the “Coney Island Celebrates the Art 2008” exhibition at Key Span baseball stadium in Coney Island.

Yamada’s “Battle of Coney Island: Holly War of New Millennium” is in the background. (June 8, 2008)

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-CI-Arts2008-PT1.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-CI-Arts2008-PT2.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-CI-Arts2008-PT3.html

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-CI-Arts2008-PT4.html

(from left to right) Takeshi Yamada (Art Fair Committee Member) with Seara the Sea Rabbit,

Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn Borough President), Arthur Melnick (Founder of the Brooklyn

City Street Car Company. Producer of Coney Island Art Fair) (June 8, 2008)

Informative websites about Coney Island and events here.

http://history.amusement-parks.com/amusementparkhistory.htm

http://history.amusement-parks.com/coneyislandpages.htm

www.gothamgazette.com

www.thecidc.org

www.coney-island-news.newslib.com

www.gothamist.com

www.lornagrl.blogs.com/

www.astelladevelopment.org

http://kineticcarnival.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html

Continue to Chapter 5

Copyright by Takeshi Yamada, Museum of World Wonders in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, October 2006. Revised in September 2008. All Rights Reserved.    

E-mail: yamada108@verizon.net

Special thanks to Dr. Eriko N. Bond, Lauren D. Travis, Diane M. Taros, Dr. Abraham Morris, Maremi Kakushina, and Seara (Sea Rabbit).

Also special thanks to Jack Frost (Senior Proofreader)

http://www.sideshowworld.com/SSA-15.html

http://www.roguetaxidermy.com/members_detail.php?id=528

http://www.horseshoecrab.org/poem/feature/takeshi.html

http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/exhibitions/other/worldwonders.jsp

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/articles/own-this-city/3388/animal-crossing

http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-11-07/nyc-life/the-stuffing-dreams-are-made-of/