I went to Ohio recently. Just outside or over the border from Kentucky. I went specifically to interview a past representative about coming back to the "company" and picking up where he left off. While I was there (with a coworker) we stopped by the U of Cinci to look at some of our handiwork. Of course, I made the coworker stop the car to look at one of Eisenman's projects and one of Gehry's.Eisenman's building is a case study in using the paint or color schemes of the day. There are two ways to look at this (and probably a couple of hundred more that are not going to be listed here.) The first is that by using the color schemes of the day, one automatically dates the building and turns it into something out of sync with the present day -from the moment the grand opening ribbon is cut. This is generally viewed as bad. The other view is that dating a building is necessary and automatically adds to the historical continuum that we are all beholden to at one level or another. Kind of like a time-date stamp and a frozen moment in history. I won't give you my view except to say that I talked with our new/old rep's spouse, a woman who is well-read and educated on myriad levels. She is involved with the University at some levels and tells me without malice that the Eisenman building is falling apart. Enough said.
The Gehry building is a study in restraint for Uncle Frank. Enough said.
The zinc on the campus is fantastic -due in no small part to the installers doing a fantastic job. There are multiple buildings on campus with zinc.
I recommend that if you are in Cinci, that you check out the campus and all the great buildings that the U owns.
Tonight finds me in San Diego. Tomorrow I will be doing a show for the National School Board Association. Fun. The Gas Lamp District, The Midway, the high rises are all great. I dig the convention center. It is unrestrained in a Ed Niles sort of way. (http://www.ednilesarchitect.com/ ) Ed has a nice studio on the second floor of a building around the Malibu area. Malibu is nice and has a somewhat exclusive feel. So does La Jolla... near San Diego. Today was overcast. The perfect San Diego climate looked more like Seattle than San Diego and I find myself in a laconic state -jet lagged and tired; soaking it in and yet barely seeing. The trick to seeing is being there -fully into it. I would like to say that I am, but I am not. I am gray and muted in my own ways today. This quietness... I can tell you that there are some incredibly quiet moments rife with beauty on the drive (pick one) in this part of California. The drive from La Jolla to San Diego along back streets will eventually lead to Mission Point. Turn off the GPS and just drive if it is after hours and you are on your own. From Mission Point, you wind back to cross the bay and then wind your way back into San Diego. On this drive you should see surfers and hear the waves. On an overcast day like today, you may even find yourself feeling reflective of the Pacific Northwest. The wetsuits are rampant and the whole thing has a Carmel By the Sea sort of vibe. (Still California, but more Pacific Northwest than, say, Hermosa Beach.) I love the water. I know, it is true ...this is not an exclusive group -most people do. I can recommend this particular water and the winding side streets of La Jolla and San Diego highly. If you're lucky it will be overcast.
I go to sleep tonight thinking about the architecture of views... what does that imply? Do views need architecture? Or does architecture need views. (that is almost a given... almost) Either way, I will give that some thought. That and surfing lessons in North Carolina for my children.
Until next time, goodnight,
Until next time, goodnight,
-G
Sorry about the camera phone being so blurry... a new one is on order. No promises of nicer pictures, though.
Sorry about the camera phone being so blurry... a new one is on order. No promises of nicer pictures, though.
