Architecture
Traveling in Style
Is there an art to traveling? There seems to be with these mentions regarding “The Fine Art Yacht,” a new style of camper and wedding buses in India. My oldest son was working at the Chart House restaurant in Alexandria, VA and saw the Expoship’s Seafair Grand Luxe, a new 228 foot yacht on the Potomac River. It is a venue for a traveling, international art exposition and there’s application kit for exhibitors. The Chart House has a great view and everyone was staring. Here’s the skinny on the MadSilence blog. My mother sent me these photos that have been traveling the Internet about a state-of-the-art camper that can actually…
Beijing Buildings
Beijing’s bursting architectural boom, due to the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympics, is either an example of “authoritarian architecture” or a proliferation in architectural advancement. According to Philip Kennicott, the Washington Post architecture critic, who writes this “Towering Ambition” article, much of China’s current architecture is meaningless. Here’s a video by Travis Fox for you to decide: The United Kingdom’s take in The Times isn’t so great either; although, I happen to like some of the structures and their contemporary feel, particularly the stadiums and the gigantic video facade, which remind me of other light show postings. I find Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest” stadium very similar to Martin Puryear’s “basketry-like” sculpture, particularly…
Another use
I am inspired by innovation and the willingness to persevere. Maybe it’s just the human spirit’s way of surviving but it is most descriptive of the American way. It’s also what I see going on in New Orleans. Every time I’ve been back, there is more progress to be seen. It will take time but the people here find a way to make life better each day even if it’s by little bits. This article, The Cultural Conversion of Cast-Off Churches, in The Washington Post describes how abandoned churches are being used for other purposes — a cultural arts center, a senior day center, a music club and even condominiums.…
