sandr037

Two articles caught my eye recently. Both address the problem of design and beauty, which is central to my book. Michael Mehaffy and Nikos A. Salingaros: The Architect Has No Clothes , in Guernica, an on-line magazine of art & politics, analyses the alienation of designers and the society that they serve... Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY (wikimedia commons) "Have you ever looked at a bizarre building design and wondered, “What were the architects thinking?” Have you looked at a supposedly “ecological” industrial-looking building, and questioned how it could be truly ecological? Or have you simply felt frustrated by a building that made you uncomfortable, or felt anger when a beautiful old building was razed and replaced with a contemporary eyesore? You might be forgiven for thinking “these architects must be blind!” New research shows that in a real sense, you might actually be right." The authors go on to cite a number of studies that show that architects see the world ...

Back when I was just a "kid with a dream" I met the preeminent architectural perspectivist, Steve Oles.  He was one of those rare people who are both a genius and a gentleman.  The gentleman was soft spoken and courteous,  with a barely noticeable southern accent.  The genius manifested itself as we walked through midtown Manhattan, and he pointed out the various effects of light in the city canyons. One of his comments regarded the play of sharp and fuzzy shadows cast by the tall buildings and closer structures.  I had seen the shadows before, but I hadn't "seen" them.  And so, some examples and comments on hard and soft shadows... This watercolor shows sunset light casting shadows on the wall.  Soft shadows on the right from the window opening, and sharp shadows from the lamp and chair. The same effect shows up in this pastel of the New York Public Library.  The soft shadow is cast by the building across 5th Avenue. The soft gradation on the Woo...