Now At the Lever House: The Magical World of Paula Hayes

The best part about going to the doctor is that my doctor's office is right across the street from the Lever House.  I always stop in when I'm in the neighborhood, not only because it is one of my most favorite modern, international style buildings, designed by one of my favorite architects of that time period, Gordon Bunshaft of S.O.M., but also because the lobby is an art gallery, and there is always something interesting on view there.  This time, the work of Paula Hayes is on display, and she has transformed the lobby into a peaceful oasis in the middle of crazy midtown.  Not only is there a giant blob shaped fish bowl and many lush plants, but the sound of water fills the lobby as you explore this strange new world.  

I Love the Park Avenue Armory

Last week I attended a performance by Shen Wei Dance Arts at the Park Avenue Armory. Not only was it an amazing show, but the space of the armory itself is always a huge part of why I love going there for shows.  If you haven't been there yet, go immediately.

New Weaving Models

These are exciting new models we made today for our advanced computing class at City College. We're almost ready to build the final version!  This is a continuation of an ongoing study of tension, compression, and friction, and the new addition of weaving.  See the previous posts here, here, and here.

Concrete, Metal, and Wood

These are some material tests I've been doing for my studio project.

Sacred Spaces in Profane Buildings

A few weeks ago we took a trip with our history of architecture professor to the Storefront for Art and Architecture to see the Sacred Spaces in Profane Buildings exhibit.  The project includes 4 different "spiritual devices" - modules containing the bare essentials needed for the prayer rituals of Christianity, Islan, Buddhism, and Sikhism - designed by artist Matilde Cassani, which were on view in the storefront, and a website of a collection of hidden spaces in New York City dedicated to different religious beliefs.

Something is Happening

I've been living on my computer, spitting out as much as I can in as little time as possible.  Something is slowly starting to emerge.........

Eyeball Massage

I sure wish I could go get an Eyeball Massage from Pipilotti Rist in London's Southbank Center!  I just love her work.  I may at least download the app for the exhibit.

New York City Center Falls for Dance

Last month I was lucky enough to get to go to the Fall for Dance Festival at the newly restored City Center.  Its beautiful!

The building was purchased by the city in 1943 so that mayor La Guardia could create a theater for the people.  There's a great article about it in the Architect's Newspaper.

New Haven Site Montages

In studying our site for studio, more about which you can read here, I have composed these photo montages of the street view from both ends of the site.  Click on them to enlarge.

And below are a few of my favorite photos of the day, walking around the area.

Yale Art Gallery by Louis Kahn, with Richard Serra sculptures in the sunken courtyard.

Yale Repertory Theater, and just to the left of it is the Yale Center for British Art, another Louis Kahn building.

Nice roofs.

See the all those skylights in the top right of the photo?  That's the roof of the Yale Center for British Art.

There are a lot of walled in courtyards, which make for some interesting street views such as this.

And this.

Another walled in courtyard, with people sitting outside of it.

Another street view of the Yale Center for British Art, with beautiful orange barrels framing the view.

And this is our site.