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.  

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.    

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.

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!

Ten Past Two

Downtown KC at the bus meeting place.

Waning Power

Misty early morning shot on Baltimore.

A Moment in History

Under the Lexington Street Bridge

Loves labors lost.

Warmer Times

Last summer in Loose Park.

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.

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.  

Kemper's More Interesting

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.