Thursday, January 29, 2009

Architectural Sojourn














Rambled through downtown KC today just on a lark.   Nice light.  A mix of architecture from the very traditional facade of Old St. Patrick's at 8th and Cherry nestled in amongst it's modern neighbors to the ultra modern skin of the Sprint Center and H & R Block Building.   I like both.  A complete renovation of Old St. Patrick's was just completed in the fall of last year.  Kudos to those whose preserve rather than level.  

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Shaveus Interruptus




Mr. Daisy (I thought it was a girl ((kinda sums up my life)) )  grabs naps where and when possible.    This was a new one though.    

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

End Times Redux


Not that this is any particular obsession with me but, yet again, sky signs point to the end.  Last Thursday evening this large "X" appeared in the sky over Leawood.    If you recall from my earlier post I believe that to be a sign of the end times.... a Deity rehearsal if you will.   Unlike the earlier "X" which appeared over Blue Springs formed by contrails, this letter is formed by clouds.  There can be no doubt that it was created by a higher power.   Thus, at least for our area, the end times will begin in Leawood.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Winds of Aphrodite










New art adorns the north end of Bartle Hall.  Created as part of the One-Percent for Art Program the project screens the newly re-configured Bartle loading dock from passers by and offices on the north side of the Convention Center.

The design was created by Crawford Architects with an artistic assist from New York artist Zhao Sulkang.  The structure was fabricated by A. Zahner Co. here in Kansas City.

All the interior shots above were taken at A. Zahner as the materials were being prepared for installation.  Many thanks to Roger Reed who allowed me to photograph the process.  

Design documents led to the creation of metal support rods of varying length to give the sculpture three dimensions.   Each rod had to be checked for alignment and straightened by hand if necessary.    

Large, porous aluminum sheets were cut into different widths and lenghts and molded to prescribed shapes.   A full-scale mockup of one section of the screen was done on the back lot of A. Zahner to insure that all components would fit together.   Installation took about a month.

At night the artwork is illuminated by spotlights from within the Bartle addition with alternating colors.

I think it's cool!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Longing For Spring







It's three degrees as I write this.  As I grow older I dislike cold more than ever and, as in a previous post, long for the arrival of Spring.   Here are two shots from last spring taken at North Terrace Lake (commonly called "Green Lake" by we locals) which is along Cliff Drive here in Northeast Kansas City.  A goose and a heron.  The goose is sight-seeing and the heron is hunting.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Entering the 3rd Dimension


Been fooling around with 3D.   Using Vue7 software (no endorsement deal) which allows manipulation of all elements of a scene, ground, sky, light, atmosphere, objects within, etc.  This particular design has no meaning... but since I inserted two moons it must be alien.  

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Kemper's More Interesting


All other factors aside, Kemper is just a much more interesting piece of architecture than the Sprint Center.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Scarritt Point Above and Below









Living in Northeast Kansas City has many advantages not the least of which are the scenic views of the city.   Scarritt Point is along Cliff Drive and is beautiful year round.   One shot is along the Drive looking up, the other is on the Point looking out.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Best Joint in the Bottoms


I frequent Tommy Boys for lunch several times a month.   Good food great service from Maggie the Magnificent.   In this photo Maggie's on the left, her husband Phil in the middle and George the cook on the right.   It's on the corner of Chestnut Trafficway and Nicholson Avenue.  And if you're really nice Maggie will sing a collection of Broadway Show tunes.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Maybe It's Spring


Don't care much for winter.   I've been wanting it to be over since September.   This shot is from last spring....a raccoon "kit" was raising a fuss in my back yard. He/she hung around long enough for a portrait session.  The warm weather today reminds me of what's coming...SOON I hope.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

End Times Rehearsal


The other day I noticed quite the display of contrails overhead.  Most were perfectly parallel except, in the distance, you can see where "X" marks the spot.   I figure that's just about over Blue Springs and where the end times will begin.   I have nothing biblical to back this up, just a suspicion... you know, wars and rumors of wars and such.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

How The Mighty Have Fallen


The West Bottoms is laced with concrete ribbons carrying traffic not through but over.  It's from here that our action figure leapt to oblivion.


Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Super Hero Down


My favorite part of Kansas City is the West Bottoms.   I photograph there at least once a month. This shot is from last weekend.  The scene was under an overpass so I suspect suicide over the success of The Dark Knight.