Millennium Park continued

Adjacent to the Pritzger Pavilion, by Frank Gehry,are 2 other interesting pieces of sculpture that really capture 2 different styles of monuments.The first is a very classical structure, the Millennium Monument in Wrigley Square. It is a slightly smaller version of a Greek (doric) styled monument, designed by Edward Bennett, (who also designed the famous Buckingham Fountain nearby) which stood nearby from 1917 till 1953. I love classical structures like these, but sadly it was the emptiest part of the whole park.The Cloud-gate, lovingly nicknamed the bean for obvious reasons, was immensly more popular. I could see why: totally interactive, people loved to look at their own reflections 'carnival style' and walk in, around and under it. The sculpture sits in the AT&T plaza section: built of polished steel, it weighs in at 110 TONS! The heavy work was the first installation by artist Anish Kapoor in the United States and cost upwards of $23 million -about 5 times more than the classical Millenium monument! It is meant to depict a drop of mercury right before impact with the ground. The sculpture was hand polished on site after delivery to hide the weld-lines. They did a good job because it is amazingly PERFECT (although it could do with a good washing with windex!). You can easily see why this is the most popular piece in the park! If you plan a trip to Chicago (and you must!) plan to visit the Millennium Park!

Frank Gehry and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion

This past weekend I visited one of my favorite cities, Chicago. I was so excited to finally see the Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park designed by Frank Gehry. Completed in July 2004, the pavilion is an open stage which seats upwards of 11,000 people in a mixture of fixed seats and the lawn as well as accomodate a full orcherstra on stage.

The pavilion is the gem of Millenium park, which is built over a large parking lot and the Harris Theater. One thing I question is the very lage trellis structure over the lawn seating, seen below. Meant to hold the complicated sound system, I wonder why a vinyl or canvas covering could not be stretched over it in the wintertime for more year round use. It seems much more practical to me and would not break the covenant for no buildings in the park as it would be a temporary structure. Just my 2 cents!

detail of the structure which directs the sound into the audience.

I never have been a fan of Gehry, but I think his style is best suited to outdoor structures like these and it is truly magnificent. Never mind that it cost around $60 million, it was well worth it as it's probably one of the most visited attraction in Chicago these days!

the pavilion seen in the distance above the water wall.

all photos taken with my iphone -which turned out surprisingly well!

A gift for your architect.

I saw these creative cufflinks on Ebay and thought they were so clever! Architectural measurements of the actual cufflink of 3/4" x 1/2"; they even got the script right! Yours for only $45 on ebay HERE (PS: I have no affiliation with the seller at all).

National Gallery of Art

I'm loving my new iphone! While at the National Gallery of Art this past weekend I was having fun playing around with it in the front gardens; probably my favorite spot in the city

Even the video function which I never thought I would use is a really fun toy! The front entrance on the Mall is flanked by 2 small identical gardens with these huge, beautiful marble fountains in the center: Enjoy the fountain video- turn up your sound!

Rainbows

Rainbows are a reminder that tomorrow is always another day. (bonus points if you name that movie!)

Pictures taken at Sugarleaf Vineyard in Charlottesville, VA and Provincetown, Cape Cod.

The original Roosevelt Memorial.

Visitors to Washington, DC always stop at the amazing Roosevelt Memorial of water features, pictured above, completed in 1997. However, most people aren't familiar with the original Roosevelt Memorial which is largely forgotten.Located across from the National Archives at 9th St NW & Pennsylvania Avenue in a little grassy plot, a simple piece of square marble simply says: "In memory of: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1882 - 1945" as seen above.

This plaque bears the story of how this strange monument came to be. Roosevelt told the Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfuter

"If any memorial is to be erected to me, I know exactly what I should like it to be. I should like it to consist of a block about the size of this desk and placed in the center of that green plot in front of the Archives Building. I don't care what it is made of, whether limestone or granite or whatnot, but I want it to be plain without any ornamentation , with the simple carving, In memory of.."

I have to agree - simple is stronger.

Antique cars

While at Poplar Forest this past weekend, we were suprised by a group of antique cars in the parking lot as we left. I have to admit to not being a 'car' person, I don't even own one as I live in the city, but I do appreciate the design aspect.

2 seperate groups of cars from different time periodsMy favorite was this old blue Ford. They don't make them like this anymore...So elegantEven the interior!This 1920's chrysler roadster was next to it. I love the snappy yellow & green.

notice the decorative wheels.and a real 'trunk'! So thats where that term came from.....

A 1921 Model T sedanwood spoked wheels....even a wood steering wheel!

I can't imagine a better Saturday afternoon than motoring down the country lanes of bucolic Virginia, stopping at a winery or two and visiting Poplar Forest in my vintage convertible; can you?

This one reminded me a bit of 'chitty chitty bang bang' - love that horn!

great packaging

I have to admit I buy a lot of products based on the packaging and I'm guessing that if you read my blog, you just might too! I recently discovered this new mouthwash that comes in this really chic bottle. The packaging just looks thoughtful and eye catching -love the shape of the bottle. It could almost be an exotic liqeuer or high end vodka.
Is rembrant the 'apple' of the oral healthcare industry with their well designed packaging?
What products do you use that seem well designed? I'd love to hear!

Poplar Forest

This past weekend I went with my friend Janet (of JCB fame) and some friends to Poplar Forest, the country retreat of Thomas Jefferson.

Everyone is familiar with Monticello, in Charlottesville, VA. but not everyone knows his country home & plantation some 90 miles away. The house was built after Monticello, beginning in 1806, as a way to escape the crowds which gathered to hear him speak. Many of his architectural ideals were able to crystalize and work themselves out here and he fondly called it his most valuable posesssion.front porch detail

The house is in the form of an octagon, a shape Jefferson was obsessed with. On a practical level, it was a way to have the most surface area and windows for ventilation.

The building is a simple country house, meant as a private retreat, based on Palladian ideals. The center of the octagon shape is a dining room, a 20 foot cube which is lit by a large skylight. A double bed chamber for Jefferson (with the bed built into a nook between them, similar to Monticello and a favorite detail of mine) and 2 bedrooms for grandchildren flank the dining room, as does the salon and the small entry hall. These are the main areas of the house.

The grounds have been sold off over the years, but the views from the house make it appear as if the original 4,800 acres are still intact. As the long journey took 3 days, Jefferson would retire here for long weeks at a time - his favorite activity was to study and read.Even the 2 outhouses, which symmetrically flank the main house, are octagons. This one below has some servants quarters which were built in the late 19th century which I believe are going to be removed.

The house is a fascinating place, not just for the history,but for what is being undertaken at the moment. Subsequent owners and fires have modified the house to the point where it was barely recognizable to its original form. The organization managing the property has gutted it down to its structural brick which make up the exterior and even interior walls. It is being rebuilt using the same tools and techniques available to Jefferson at the time.

A large portion of the tour is showing the layers of construction and what goes into the process. I would highly recomend this to any architecture student (or architect) as a really fascinating look into how building technology has changed. They really are doing an excellent job of portraying the construction: Trust me, it's not boring! I can't wait to go back in a few years and see the progress! These scuppers (or roof drains) got water off the service wing roof (known as the office) which housed the kitchens and allowed the surface to be a deck for Jefferson and his grandchildren to use as a promenade. An example of how it was constructed lays in the wing below.

Visit the main website to plan your visit HERE

I had to include this photo of the charming Janet photographing the lichen on the garden wall for her collection!