Monday, July 18, 2011

Odilon Redon

I was just introduced to this artist last Wednesday via my art history class and I love him. I feel like I am finally figuring out what area of art that I like best! After like 10 art history classes, it took me being in Paris to find it!






Friday, July 15, 2011

Deconstructivism.

Today I visited two structures that might define as the opposite of Deconstructivism: The Arc de Triomphe and the Grande Arche at La Défense in Paris. They were really splendid, especially the Grande Arche. I found it ironic kind of that the Grande Arche was created as a monument of humanitarian ideals, rather than military victories... which is kind of what Arc de Triomphe was built for.

ANYways, after all of that and researching the histories of the two structures, I found myself looking up this super rad park in Paris (Parc de la Vilette) that is apparently in the "Deconstructivism" style, which then launched me into a whole different train of Wikipedia articles.

Many of the Deconstructivists were influenced by the ideas of French philosopher Jacques Derrida, which seemed weird to me at first, but after learning more, it sort of made sense. He and this architect became pretty good pals and developed the architectural philosophy that I THINK is something like... architecture is like presence in that both require the opposite to act against in order to exist. Absence requires the existence of presence in order to be a thing at all... much like Deconstruction requires the existence of Construction in order to act against it.

Frank Gehry is the prototypical example of a Deconstructivist... especially in the work he did on his own home in Santa Monico.

What started out as a Suburban home, ended up like this! He took an actual house and changed it from the inside out.

Other architectural structures of his include:

Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas


Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles


IAC Building, Chelsea NYC


And my two personal favorites:

Dancing House, Prague


Experience Music Project, Seattle


I had a revelation today that, as my friend DJ said, will probably pass in a week or so... but I decided I want to learn something every day. It sounds pretty simple, but I feel that there are probably days when I don't see anything cool or learn anything new, and that is a sad thing.

Today it was Deconstructivism, tomorrow it will probably be Bean Sprouts or something. We will see where my mind takes me!

Monday, July 11, 2011



I don't like this version as much as the original, but I thought this video was better than watching a picture for 4 and a half minutes.

I feel like I keep going back to these oldies. They are so great.