inspired: Professor Narciso Menocal

Today while walking around the lovely neighborhood I call home, by happenstance, I ran into one of my most formative college professors, Professor Narciso Menocal. Menocal taught the History of Architecture course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, one of the many art history classes which I took because I absolutely adored the subjects. This course, specifically, is one that I never stopped thinking about. Menocal's lively lectures were filled with fascinating information and detail, that even now, some 12+ years later I can easily recall so much of what he taught. It's the type of knowledge he shared that continues to enrich my life - what an excellent teacher! I am so grateful to him and grateful to have had the opportunity to thank him today for teaching me so much that formed my outlook of the visual world. Thank you Professor Menocal.

miami's art deco district

Here are a few of my favorite shots I snapped while in Miami's Art Deco District. The buildings and paint colors fit so perfectly in with their surroundings. 

inspired

After spending a few days in Miami, right on the beach, I think it's impossible not to be a little inspired by the pastel hues and Art Deco of the architecture. I was going through my photos - shots of the beach & ocean and photos of lots of buildings - and one thing jumped out to me that I didn't realize when I was in Miami Beach: the use of pastel blues that perfectly echo the colors of the ocean. How brilliant! The ocean clearly was the inspiration for so many of Miami's building colors. 

the view from our balcony - so many shades of blue!

a pastel blue

all colors of the ocean

 a turquoise blue

I'll post more shots of some of Miami's really great Art Deco architecture soon. 

form and function: the architecture of chicago

A trip to Chicago wouldn't be complete without noticing and appreciating the city's amazingly diverse and impressive architecture. Here are just a few of my favorites from Chicago.

the famed Chicago theater (foreground)
35 E Wacker aka Jewelers' Building -
(background)

Mies van der Rohe's IBM Building (left)
the shiny Trump Tower (right)
the Hancock Building (background)

the Wrigley and the Tribune Towers

looking up

Looking up while waiting in traffic, I captured this view. I like the contrast between the modern glass  art deco-ish building and the fluffy clouds - I think it's a good mix of hard and soft.  

location: Minneapolis

fraternal twins?

Work takes me to Minneapolis and St. Paul quite frequently. I don't usually mind the travel; these are two great cities with lots to do and see and I have a few friends who live up here, so that is a definite perk. And now that the winter thaw has receded and spring is reaching even these far flung northerly cities, there is a little more lightness in every one's step and on every one's face. Winter is hard here, even more severe than in Madison, where I live.

The contrast in architecture between St. Paul and Minneapolis is great. Despite their physical appearance differences, I like both cities and their aesthetics. Here are a few shots I've captured with my camera phone while staying up in the Twin Cities - it's funny that they are named the Twin Cities, because to me, they seem so different on so many levels.

Minneapolis, old and new

a Minneapolis mixture

Minneapolis, Art Deco in the center
thoroughly modern on either side

to me, quintessential St. Paul