Spring Break 2011: The end of an era

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date."

Sonnet 18

In honor of being on Spring Break after this post...I leave you with things I love...

I love looking at pictures. Sadly, I rarely take pictures of my own...

maybe I would if I had  this camera...

Leica M9 Titanium

I love Graphic Design. Packaging, campaigning, advertising or whatever...

if you can win me over with your design I am yours for life.

Johnny Selman BBCx365

I love quotes...they make me happy

I would love to wake up to this ever morning...with you.

I love horses and kisses...always

I love a man with a guitar in his hands...anywhere...any time

I love when people do unexpected cool things...

aaand kids...I love kids...cute kids

I warned you before I love many things....

vay-cay

“happiness #511: the moment on vacation when you forget what day of the week it is.”

Sometimes there is no better way of solving your life's dilemma than taking a break from it. Occasionally  you need to get away and think things over. In class, our professors alway tell us to walk away and do something else. Once we get away from the design it is easier to come back in a creative state. We cant take a vacation from studio but in life that is all we can do. Many people have proven that when they are stressed they seek out activities away from their habitat. After a few days of clearing their heads they start to ponder possible solutions for their dilemma or life in general. I find that vacations are just plain healthy for the soul. I will say it...People who cant get away from work have issues. I said in my first post that I dream of going away every weekend with my man. It is true...I often find myself planning extravagant mini vacations and diving into culturally rich cities. 

Below are pictures of my daydream destinations...

Val di Funes, Italy by Matt Burke

Tok Tokkie, Namibia

Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan

Westend, Berlin, Germany

Cortona, Italy

Venice, Italy

Rabat, Morocco

Giza, Cairo, Egypt

Spain

“Blue City”, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Ok...ok...you get the picture...

E as in Elephant

“Cute is when your personality shines through your looks. Like, when you see someone’s personality in the way they walk and you just feel like hugging them every time you see them."

Natalie Portman

I love elephants. My dream is to hug an elephant, ride him all day and leave knowing he will never forget me. Their big ears and personalities are too cute for words. The way they drink with their trunk makes me smile. I could spend hours on youtube watching videos of elephant nonsense. Additionally, many positive symbolism are attached to the animal. No other animal is glorified in the East as the elephant. The elephant was historically used to carry princes and noblemen and became associated with status and foresight. In Buddhism, the white elephant symbolizes patience and wisdom while the Chinese see the elephant as a symbol of energy, strength, and power. In the United states, elephant takes on symbolism as the symbol for the Republican party. Obviously, elephants are perfect.

Facts about Elephants (the most amazing animal on the planet):

1. Despite the size of ears the elephant’s hearing is poor (this made me sad)

2. They have the largest brains in the animal kingdom (11 pounds)

3. Elephants are herbivores and eat all types of vegetation such as grasses, leaves, fruits, and bark (like me!)

4. Elephants normally walk about 4 mph

5.Elephants spend about 16 hours a day eating

6. Elephants are able to swim for long distances

7. Wild life experts consider that Elephants are an endangered species.

 (due to habitat destruction)

My favorite pictures:

Photograph by Nick Brandt

Photograph by Nick Brandt

Photograph by Nick Brandt

Photograph by George Steinmetz

Butterbeer

I will admit I was late getting into the Harry Potter craze. Actually, years late but that has not stopped me from being one of the many muggles dying to attend the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And judging by the fact that the park just sold its one millionth Butterbeer beverage, its popularity doesn’t seem to be waning. Universal Creative is the division of Universal Parks & Resorts – comprising project managers, designers, artists, engineers, financial analysts, architects and builders – that is responsible for delighting and often scaring the pants off park visitors through its conception-to-development park attractions.  Senior Vice President, Creative Studio for Universal Parks & Resorts Thierry Coup says, “The biggest technological breakthrough within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This incredible attraction takes our guests to an entirely new level of experience, utilizing cutting edge ride systems, robotic technology combined with fully immersive projection systems, some of the most intricate theatrical sets and practical special effects” The biggest technological challenge the team faced was to create a magical experience that lived up to what people had read in the books and seen in the movies. Coup says it took about five years to create Harry Potter World, “from the very first concepts, which we shared with J. K. Rowling, to the design of a ride system that could deliver the story in the Forbidden Journey. I cant go any farther with this post...I AM DYING TO GO! Who is in?

SPEAK NOW

“There is a time for silence, and there is a time for waiting your turn. But if you know how you feel, and you so clearly know what you need to say, you’ll know it. I don’t think you should wait. I think you should SPEAK NOW"

Taylor Swift

The events that happened last week in Japan have left us speechless and on our knees. The news has been devastating but I wanted to shed light on a positive aspect. The damage could have been far worse and Thank God (or science) for that. The foundation of modern skyscrapers were intensely questioned after the events of 9/11. We all have our own opinions but after seeing the happening in Japan there is much to be learned. When it comes to engineering buildings there must be deep foundations and even seismic shock absorbers. These absorbers can bear the brunt of an earthquakes force and keep them from collapsing. The video below shows the how well-engineered the buildings in Japan were...Japanese engineer's deserve a round of applause...

Atlanta Beltline: YES

Don't be afraid to take a big step. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.

David Lloyd George

The Atlanta City Council voted and we will see the cities first step to hacking urbanization this Fall. I could not be more excited about this new adventure for our city! They voted this week on the following (according to the AJC) : 

• Spend $9 million on purchasing new (not refurbished) cars for the downtown streetcar route. The new cars are more handicapped-accessible and will not require long ramps for boarding.
• Approve a construction contract with MARTA
• (the thing I’m most excited about) Approve a route for the streetcar that connects it with the Beltline. This means that, from the Peachtree Center MARTA station, one can easily board a streetcar and take it to Centennial Park, Sweet Auburn Curb Market, the King Memorial Site, the main GSU campus buildings, and the Atlanta Beltline.

Construction is expected to start this fall.

Transit connectivity is good news for the city. As progress is made, project by project, better connectivity via transit will reduce the need for — and use of — personal cars. With fewer cars on the road the city will become more friendly to cycling and pedestrian mobility.

Here’s an example (from Houston’s METRORail streetcar) of the kind of Siemens S70 car we’ll see on the streets of downtown Atlanta in a couple of years...

In my place, in my place

“Smile, breathe and go slowly.” 
Thich Nhat Hanh   

Where do you recharge? After four days of no sleep, a few breakdowns and zero time for myself I began daydreaming about my place. You have a place, right? The spot you go to get away from it all. The place where you can scream at the top of your lungs. The place where when you cant be found they just assume. My location is Red Top Mountain. I grew up in south Georgia...you can see the sky for days and trees galore. I still long for the slow past and clean air of the country. When I moved to Atlanta my love for buildings grew to be bittersweet. One passion was keeping me from another and something was missing. I was missing the need to be outside and in my place. I started going to Red Top a couple years back and it quickly became my recharge station. I love being alone in the woods talking it out with myself and Him. I urge you all to find your spot...there is nothing sweeter than knowing where to go when you need to get away from it all. It doesnt have to be outside or far away. My friend Mara's spot is her closet. It does not matter where it is...its yours. 

In my place...

Mad Men

“The reason you haven’t felt it is because it doesn’t exist. What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons. You’re born alone and you die alone and this world just drops a bunch of rules on top of you to make you forget those facts. But I never forget. I’m living like there’s no tomorrow, because there isn’t one.”

Don Draper

My roommate and I decided not to purchase cable due to our lack of home lives and time to watch. It was not a hard decision and quickly an everyday enjoyment became a luxury. Sadly, I miss some of my favorite shows. (I have also noticed that many of them are no longer on the air.) One show that I am sure has many seasons in the future is Mad Men, my favorite television show. During school breaks I can sit for hours catching up on episodes and dreaming of life with Don Draper. My favorite thing to is  pause, rewind and zoom in to the dramatic interiors and fashion. I cannot help but noticed the inspiration of these set designs. It brings a smile to my face knowing that there were actually Don Draper's out there and I found the originals...the mad men of modern design.

The original Mad men...

I love this picture. If I could ask Hugh Hefner one thing it would be about this photo shoot below...makes me smile.

George Nelson, Edward Wormley, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Charles Eames and Jens Risom Playboy Magazine, July 1961.

The design above is by Edward J Wormley,  a master of modern design. He has the creative ability to integrate international design philosophies into the American lifestyle. 

The Tulip Chair was designed to complement a dining table. The design experiments with the materials and is a classic of industrial design. 

This post would not be complete without mentioning the Eames lounge chair. The were developed by designers Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Examples of these furnishings are part of the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art.  

Only the beat of the train I'm on

Nothing at all, in my head, to say to you
Only the beat of the train I'm on
Nothing I've learned all my life on the way to you
One day our love was over and gone
It's so many miles and so long since I've met you
Don't even know what I'll say when I get to you
But suddenly now, I know where I belong
It's many hundred miles and it won't be long

Train Song Lyrics

The world’s population is increasing at a rapid pace that is triggering congestion and overcrowding. By 2030, 60% of all people will live in cities. Cities populations are growing so hastily the infrastructures cannot adapt. Public transportation is one solution countless advocates have been promoting in recent years. As we outgrow our cities new forms of transportation will be essential. Why not advance the resources our cities possess? If we can progress our assets we will create beyond a local solution and generate jobs in our cities. Public transportation isn’t an ancient proposal. The opening of London’s underground in 1863 changed the way the world travels. It was the first subway system in the world. Since then almost every key city has an underground subway. They are a vital part of public transportation and architecture plays a major role for the atmosphere of the space.

Below are a few of my favorites! 

xoxo

The subway system in Stockholm, Sweden features art installations in almost every station. The city’s 100 stations feature art by almost 140 artists and it is often called the world’s longest art gallery.

solna centrum station (photo via flickr)

georg-brauchle ring station with installation by franz ackermann (photo via flickr)

ine a station (photo via flickr)

Pirate Stairs

“You’re waiting for a train. A train that will take you far away. You know where you hope the train will take you, but you cannot be sure. But it doesn’t matter, because we’ll be together.”

Inception

My friend Mara and I traveled to Savannah this past weekend on a whim. We are both students at Savannah College of Art and Design's Atlanta campus and thought why not? Our journeys at SCAD are both ending shortly and the timing was right. Savannah, Georgia is a beautiful town rich in history and an abundance of SCAD buildings. A factor envied by the majority of Atlanta campus students. Seriously, we almost felt like locals just by having a student ID. Our stay was short but do not fret...We will be back! 

Lesson's learned on Mash's trip to Savannah:

1. Wear comfortable flats even if they aren't the cutest.  We both had blisters by the end of the weekend. I would suggest Cole Haan's Nike flats. 

2. Considering SCAD? Go to SCAD Savannah. Yes, Atlanta is a big ole city but the resources in Savannah are endless and the campus is exquisite. We went to the library at 11am while we were walking around downtown...that's pretty cool. 

3. Bring industrial scissors to free all horse and carriages. (So sad) 

4. Take your own tour and walk around the neighborhoods. Mara and I found our retirement homes and will start renovations when our checks come in the mail. ;)

5. Do not plan. We had a blast not knowing our next adventure. 

6. NEVER SAY NEVER 

(just kidding...)

A few pictures from our trip...

xoxo