Palm Springs – Modern Architecture

 Posted by on May 8, 2011
May 082011
 
Palm Springs - Modern Architecture

I loved this building.  To me it epitomizes everything you think about when you think 1960’s architecture.  It’s square lines, its concrete tilt-up panel walls and its austereness.  It was built in 1969 and designed by Robert Ricciardi.  I have found absolutely no information about this building, one little blurb mentioned that the “failure” of the corduroy concrete was discovered when the boards were removed, but that they embraced the failure.  If you are interested in learning more about tilt-up concrete construction go here.  

Palm Springs – Modern Architecture

 Posted by on May 7, 2011
May 072011
 
Palm Springs - Modern Architecture

  Palm Springs is the home of the Modernism movement, especially “desert modernism”.  While modernism is not my favorite architecture style, when it is done right, it really does sing.  This is the Del Marco Hotel.  It is located at 225 W. Baristo Road in Palm Springs.  The architect was William Cody.  In 1947 Cody moved to Palm Springs from Los Angeles, where he had graduated from USC and worked for Cliff May. This was his first desert project, it began a post war modernism style all on its own.  The Modernism society of Palm Springs is excellent, and in Continue Reading

Presidio Habitats – Digger Bee

 Posted by on May 6, 2011
May 062011
 
Presidio Habitats - Digger Bee

    I did not find this “habitat” interesting for the art, but rather for the bee itself.  I had never heard of a digger bee, and I am sure many others have not either. These bees are solitary creatures and dig a small network of tunnels under ground. At the end of each tunnel, they place one egg and pollen, often shaped like a ball, for the developing bee. There are several thousand species of digger bees worldwide.  The artist, Amy Lambert, recreated these pollen balls and place “stories” on them. I chose the photo above, only because it Continue Reading

Presidio Habitats – Black Tailed Jack Rabbit

 Posted by on May 5, 2011
May 052011
 
Presidio Habitats - Black Tailed Jack Rabbit

I did this one backwards.  I started at the finish, and felt that the exhibit was tired and sad, but then I turned around and saw the view behind me.  I figured with the wind whipping around and the salt air, that would explain how tired this portion was.  Sadly, that wasn’t the case, the start was just as worn and tattered.  But sadness seems to be the point.  This habitat was for the Black-tailed jackrabbit, that has disappeared from the Presidio.  Apparently the artist, Nathan Lynch, thought a race with the tortoise would lure it back.

Presidio Habitats – Owl Dome

 Posted by on May 4, 2011
May 042011
 
Presidio Habitats - Owl Dome

This “Owl Dome” is another habitat for the western screech owl.  Hanging 16 feet in the air it merges tepee and geodesic dome. The design of the dome is similar to the type of nest that an owl might occupy within a tree trunk. A hole allows the owl to enter and nest within the dome, well protected from natural elements and predators. The hemp rope wrapped around the tripod support is designed to provide an easy grip for fledgling owls. Taalman Koch Architecture was responsible for this habitat. The thing I found interesting about this particular habitat, was its accessibility. Continue Reading

Presidio Habitats – Ai Weiwei

 Posted by on May 3, 2011
May 032011
 
Presidio Habitats - Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei first came into my consciousness when I read a Financial Times article about his Sunflower Seed exhibition at the Tate Modern. Please, Please, Please watch this amazing video of the exhibition, it explains the making of the seeds and the meaning of them as well. Ai Weiwei is a Chinese artist and activist, who is also active in architecture, curating, photography, film, and social and cultural criticism. You know his work, he collaborated with Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron as the artistic consultant on the Beijing National Stadium for the 2008 Olympics. (otherwise known as the bird’s nest)  In addition Continue Reading

Presidio Habitat – American Robin

 Posted by on May 2, 2011
May 022011
 
Presidio Habitat - American Robin

There are three signs creating this habitat.  “Adapt to Change”  “Resolve Conflict With Song” and the one way in the back that is hard to read says “Nest From the Inside Out”. This habitat was built for the American Robin, by Philippe Becker Design.  Each letter is framed with a steel armature and mesh netting that is filled with sterile straw.  This particular habitat while providing ideal nesting material for the robin gives us humans a missive to ponder. According to the Presidio Trust “The American Robin is the largest, most abundant, and most wide- spread North American thrush. The Continue Reading

The Presidio – Habitat

 Posted by on May 1, 2011
May 012011
 
The Presidio - Habitat

Presidio Habitats. This installation, A Habitat of Flight,  is by Surface Design. Their explanation is that this is representative of the Red-Tail Hawks exploration.  going through many different habitats, i.e. open spaces interspersed with trees or built structures. The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most commonly observed birds of prey in the Presidio as well as in North America. Generally monogamous, this species initiates courtship and maintains the pair bond with spectacular aerial maneuvers. The acrobatics are often accompanied by shrill cries by one or both mates. The Red-tailed Hawk can be seen hunting from the air as well as Continue Reading

The Presidio – Ten Solitary Chairs

 Posted by on April 30, 2011
Apr 302011
 
The Presidio - Ten Solitary Chairs

The Presidio of San Francisco covers just under 3 square miles. Much of this is open space. The trust and an organization called FOR SITE began a project called Presidio Habitats as an opportunity for the public to see new, site-based art about place and to experience, the diverse landscapes and stunning vistas of the Presidio. The point of each exhibit was to have artists propose custom habitats for animal residents of the park. This is called TEN SOLITARY CHAIRS, its animal of choice was the Heron. The chairs are located in and around the Fort Scott Parade Ground. Each Continue Reading

Craftsmanship

 Posted by on April 29, 2011
Apr 292011
 
Craftsmanship

I was in Los Angeles last week to talk to the people at Turquoise Mountain.  They are a charity that is helping to preserve and revive the crafts of Afghanistan.  It is a passion of mine.  Sadly, in the United States these crafts are dying.  The cost of labor to produce the high quality goods of a craftsman and artisan is overwhelmed on a daily basis by the “walmartization” of this country.  People pay good money to view quality arts and crafts in museums as well as take tours of beautiful homes, and yet they don’t think about surrounding themselves in Continue Reading

SOMA – Faces

 Posted by on April 28, 2011
Apr 282011
 
SOMA - Faces

555 Mission Street SOMA Moonrise East December The sculptor and mixed media artist is a Swiss, based in New York named Ugo Rondinone. The sculptures are of mottled aluminum. Moonrise is the title of a series of 12 giant, ghost-like sculptures each named for a month of the year, and standing nine feet high. Their amorphous shapes and color make them look like primitive sculptures. Each one wears a different expression. I can’t presume what the artist was going for, so why that particular face for that particular month? It would really be fun to sit around and talk about Continue Reading

The Presidio-Andy Goldsworthy

 Posted by on April 27, 2011
Apr 272011
 
The Presidio-Andy Goldsworthy

The Presidio Near the Arguello Gate Entry I have always been a fan of Andy Goldsworthy.  I love the ethereal and temporary aspect of his work.  This is titled Spire and is at the beginning of the Bay Area Ridge Trail near the Arguello Gate, west of Inspiration Point Overlook and north of the Presidio Golf Course Clubhouse. This area is part of the historic forest of the Presidio, and is part of its designation as a National Historic Landmark District.  The forest was planted over 100 years ago and, as usual, the Eucalyptus are doing just fine but the Continue Reading

Love in the Lower Haight – Silly Pink Bunnies

 Posted by on April 26, 2011
Apr 262011
 
Love in the Lower Haight - Silly Pink Bunnies

Silly Pink Bunnies and Love in the Lower Haight. In October of 2010 the long wall on the corner of Haight and Laguna that surrounds a series of buildings that once housed the UC extension campus became a mural collective. Called “Love in the Lower Haight,” the mural stretches 100 feet up Haight Street from Laguna Street and 75 feet on Laguna. The mural is granted for at least one year with the possibility of a longer extension. An estimated 12 local artists worked on it, while an additional component let residents add their personal touch to the project. Information about the Continue Reading

Mission – Woman’s Building

 Posted by on April 25, 2011
Apr 252011
 
Mission - Woman's Building

18th and Lapidge Mission This is The Goddess of Light and Creativity on the Woman’s Building in the mission district of San Francisco.  Particularly at 18th and Lapidge.  The building has two walls of a dramatic mural that pay homage to women. The murals were created by a team of seven San Francisco women and is called “Maestrapeace”.  The Goddess of Light and Creativity sits atop the waters of life flowing beneath her and transforming into fabric designs from around the world. The Mission District mural features such notable women as Georgia O’Keefe (an innovative American artist) and Rigoberta Menchu Continue Reading

Malibu, California – Adamson House

 Posted by on April 23, 2011
Apr 232011
 
Malibu, California - Adamson House

This is the Adamson House, also known as Vaquero Hill, a historic house with lovely grounds in Malibu, California.  It has been called the “Taj Mahal of Tile” due to its extensive use of decorative ceramic tiles created by the Malibu Potteries company. The house was built in 1930 for Rhoda Rindge Adamson and Merritt Huntley Adamson, based on a Mediterranean Revival design by Stiles O. Clements of the architectural firm of Morgan, Walls & Clements. The tiles are what drew me to the house.   Malibu Potteries produced an amazing variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and designs.  Sadly only in Continue Reading

Malibu, California – April 22, 2001 – Getty Villa

 Posted by on April 22, 2011
Apr 222011
 
Malibu, California - April 22, 2001 - Getty Villa

In 1954, oil baron J. Paul Getty opened a gallery adjacent to his home in Pacific Palisades. Can you imagine, you were able to walk around his home and view his collections.  Visitors were limited but it must have been very intimate.   When he ran out of room, he built a second museum on the property down the hill from his original home.   In 1974 he opened the Getty Villa as his second museum in a building inspired by the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum and incorporated additional details from several other ancient sites. Getty died in 1976 and Continue Reading

Pasadena – Huntington Gardens

 Posted by on April 21, 2011
Apr 212011
 
Pasadena - Huntington Gardens

The Chinese Garden at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Gardens, in San Marino, California. I saw the most amazing special exhibit by John Frame called “Three Fragments of a Lost Tale”. According to the gallery notes, “the project had its beginnings in a dream: Frame was jolted awake by what seemed like an unfolding story complete with cast and scenes. It would become his next body of work and, he says, may carry him through the remainder of his lifetime.” This was the first piece I saw upon entering the gallery and I was in love.  The gallery was Continue Reading

Living Walls

 Posted by on April 20, 2011
Apr 202011
 
Living Walls

Using plants for architectural and artistic statements is as old as time, but I am fascinated about how it is becoming part of the main stream.  I was driving down 10th and spotted this newly installed gem at the corner with Bryant.  These things are so amazingly versatile.  Indoors, outdoors, sun, shade, they apparently create their own atmosphere when inside so they aren’t bothered being inside shopping malls or the like. Patrick Blanc a  French artist has been covering entire walls of buildings for 40 years.  This one below is his at Marché des Halles in Avignon.  You can read all Continue Reading

Fairmont Hotel

 Posted by on April 15, 2011
Apr 152011
 
Fairmont Hotel

This is the back of the famous Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, I am walking up California towards Mason.  The front of this hotel is famous the world over, but has anyone ever noticed the absolutely beautiful wrought iron on the back?  These walkways look down on a quaint little courtyard.  The Fairmont is as much a part of San Francisco history as sourdough and dungeness crab.  It was built by Tessie Fair Oelrichs, whose father made his money in the Comstock Silver Boom.  Designed by James and Merritt Reid it was scheduled to open in 1906.  The Earthquake and Continue Reading

Alleys of San Francisco

 Posted by on April 14, 2011
Apr 142011
 
Alleys of San Francisco

A friend of mine lives on this little alley, and after I took this picture I started to think about how many alleys there are in San Francisco.  I too live on a one block long alley, that is off of another one block long alley.  I am not quite sure why San Francisco is chock-a-block full of them, but they are fun to explore. It is a practice of San Francisco to rename alley’s for famous people.  These include: Isadora Duncan (she was born a block away), Dashell Hammett (He lived at #20 in the 1920’s) , Jack Kerouac Continue Reading

Daffodil Hill, Amador County April 10, 2011

 Posted by on April 11, 2011
Apr 112011
 
Daffodil Hill, Amador County April 10, 2011

 * McLaughlin’s Daffodil Hill Ranch in Volcano, California. Daffodil Hill is a 4 acre ranch that has been in the same family since 1887.  Wagon pioneers Arthur and Lizzie McLaughlin were the original owners.  The ranch was a stopping place for drivers bringing timber down from the Sierras to the Kennedy and Argonaut mines, during the gold rush.  Now it is open to the public and lives on donations.  There are over 300 varieties of daffodil’s and they plant an average of 6000 new bulbs every year.  It is typically open from Mid March to Mid April, but mother nature Continue Reading

San Francisco – Public v Private Art

 Posted by on April 7, 2011
Apr 072011
 
San Francisco - Public v Private Art

555 Mission Street SOMA Public versus private art.  This piece entitled Human Structures by Jonathan Borofsky is a permanent installation at 555 Mission Street.  The two heads are part of a series of three by Ugo Rondinone entitled Moonrise Sculptures.  The city of San Francisco has two ordinances to promote art. The first is a zoning code requiring downtown buildings to include privately owned public open space.  The second is a twenty-five year old law requiring that developers with large projects in the Financial District and along upper Market Street must spend at least 1 percent of their total construction budget Continue Reading

Mission Bay – Where did good architecture go?

 Posted by on April 6, 2011
Apr 062011
 
Mission Bay - Where did good architecture go?

Mission Bay What happened to architecture? This is not architecture, this is value engineering. These buildings were cliches before they were finished. No one is going to fly hundreds of miles to the great city of San Francisco and snap pictures of these monstrosities, unless of course they are urban planners. I would like to leave the more technical aspects of why this is off the mark to an architect blogger, you can read his succinct points on architecture and then you can contemplate why these building miss in so many ways. The above photo was taken in the newest Continue Reading

Tenderloin – Fear Head Mural

 Posted by on April 5, 2011
Apr 052011
 
Tenderloin - Fear Head Mural

Golden Gate and Market The Tenderloin This mural is entitled “Fear Head” it was installed as part of the Wonderland exhibit in 2009.  The creators are Roman Cesario and Mitsu Overstreet.  Wonderland was the brain child of a teacher at SF Art Institute, Lance Fung.  Wonderland created a lot of interesting chatter in the blogsphere at the time.  Adrienne Roberts of SFMOMA wrote of her concerns, that I felt were a tad highfalutin regarding bringing art to the tenderloin. You can read her article, Wonderland a World Turned Upside Down, here. For those that don’t live in San Francisco, it Continue Reading

Atascadero City Hall

 Posted by on April 2, 2011
Apr 022011
 
Atascadero City Hall

The City Hall is a gem of a building sitting aside a wonderful city park.  The town itself is being revitalized with a lot of modern chain stores, but the downtown still holds its historic charm.  Sadly, like so many valley towns in California it is suffering from these terrible economic times. The building was originally the City’s historic administration building and was completed in 1918 to serve as the Colony of Atascadero’s headquarters. The Colony was founded by Edward Gardner (E.G.) Lewis of Missouri, as California’s first master planned community. The community was to be sustainable and progressive. The Continue Reading

Berwick Place – Murals

 Posted by on March 31, 2011
Mar 312011
 
Berwick Place - Murals

Berwick Place and Heron Street Unknown Artist – I love the tree as an opponent.  The light at this end of Heron was not particularly good, it is a very narrow alley with a building blocking the light from this part of the wall, but the images are wonderful.  The subtle use  of pink to infer cherry blossoms, just shows such a level of artistic ability.

Sonoma, California – Watmaugh Road Bridge

 Posted by on March 30, 2011
Mar 302011
 
Sonoma, California - Watmaugh Road Bridge

This truss bridge is the center of an acrimonious debate going on in Sonoma, California.  It is the Watmaugh Road Bridge built in 1929.  It was dedicated as an historic landmark in 1981.  Today the county engineers want to replace it, and the preservationists want to rehab it.  We will have to watch, probably for years, to see what happens.  Bridges are so interesting.  They can be so beautiful, and yet, over the years they have really, simply become functional.  Granted, when big important bridges are built, lots of thought for the local town or cities “image” go into it, Continue Reading

Clarion Alley

 Posted by on March 13, 2011
Mar 132011
 
Clarion Alley

    This mural is in Clarion Alley, it was painted by Emily Buttefly and Tania Esmeralda.

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard

 Posted by on March 10, 2011
Mar 102011
 
Hunters Point Naval Shipyard

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.  The original docks were built on solid rock in 1916, they were thought to be the largest in the world at over 1000 feet long.  During the 20th century much of San Francisco Bay shoreline was extended by landfill, this included Hunters Point.  Between World War I and WWII Hunters Point was used by the Navy and was the largest deep water port between San Diego and Washington.  The key fissile components of the atomic bomb were loaded onto the USS Indianapolis, July of 1945 from here.  Some of the piers are still used today, but Continue Reading

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