Saturday, October 31, 2015

Labels Berlin 2

Labels Berlin 2 by HHF Architects, Stralauer Allee, Friedrichshain, Berlin

Labels Berlin 2 by HHF Architects, 2010
Stralauer Allee, Friedrichshain
Berlin, September 2011

Friday, October 30, 2015

Everybody's Time

L'Heure de Tous, Everybody's Time by Arman, Cour du Havre, Gare Saint-Lazare, Paris

“L'Heure de tous” (Everybody's Time) by Arman, 1985
Gare Saint-Lazare
Cour du Havre
Quartier de l'Europe, 8th arrondissement
Paris, July 2014

See also: Consigne à vie - L'Heure de tous - Drapeaux - Checked Luggage for a Lifetime

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Desigual Store

Desigual Store, Via Rizzoli, Bologna

Desigual Store
Via Rizzoli
Bologna, June 2015

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

The Lightwall

New pedestrian tunnel with integrated lightwall, One Pancras Square, King's Cross, London

Pedestrian tunnel with LED integrated lightwall
King's Cross railway station
One Pancras Square, Camden
London, September 2015

“The tunnel’s entrance is in the north-east corner of the One Pancras Square building, accessed via an escalator hall designed by David Chipperfield Architects. It then follows a consistent curve leading to the tail end, accommodating a changing slope, into the two stations. The design of the tunnel is broken into four distinct sections, each with its own conceptual idea: the canopy, the fin section, the floor, and the integrated lightwall, which has been designed by Speirs +Major, with technical delivery by The Light Lab. The inside of the tunnel is lined with repeating panels; the fin sections fill the triangular space between the canopies, allowing stylish and easy access to the service area above, and shaped as ‘mini auditoria’ to focus attention towards the art-wall. The flooring echoes this, with ceramic tiles spread across the floor in a large triangular pattern, in two shades to create a subtle texture.” (New pedestrian tunnel with integrated lightwall, King’s Cross)

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Mannequin on a Vespa

Mannequin on a Vespa outside a souvenir shop, Via di Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, Rome

Mannequin on a Vespa outside a souvenir shop
Via di Sant'Andrea delle Fratte
Rome, April 2013

Monday, October 26, 2015

Split Building

Split building, Coulée verte René-Dumont, Promenade plantée, Paris

Split building
Coulée verte René-Dumont (Promenade plantée)
Avenue Daumesnil
Quartier du Bel-Air, 12th arrondissement
Paris, July 2014

“The Promenade Plantée was the world’s first elevated park (first phase completed in 1994) and the first “green space” constructed on a viaduct. The entire feature runs some 4.5 km (about 3 miles) from the Opéra Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes. The elevated portion of the promenade is the 1.5-km (roughly 1-mile) stretch between the Opéra and the Jardin de Reuilly, after which the promenade descends to street level and even passes through a few railway tunnels. Located underneath the elevated portion is the Viaduc des Arts, which stretches along the Avenue Daumesnil. Its former archways house specialized commercial establishments.” (Promenade Plantée,  Encyclopædia Britannica)

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Campiello de la Cason

Campiello de la Cason, Cannaregio, Venice

Campiello de la Cason
Cannaregio
Venice, September 2013

Saturday, October 24, 2015

John Keats

John Keats by Stuart Williamson, Guy’s Hospital, London

Statue of John Keats by Stuart Williamson, 2007
Guy’s Hospital
Great Maze Pond, Southwark
London, September 2015

See also: A Young English Poet

Friday, October 23, 2015

Basilica di Santo Stefano


Basilica di Santo Stefano (Basilica of Santo Stefano)
Piazza Santo Stefano
Bologna, June 2015

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Two Peacocks

Two Peacocks by Greg Wyatt, courtyard of the Schola Cantorum de Paris, rue Saint-Jacques, Paris

“Two Peacocks” by Greg Wyatt, 2004
Courtyard of the Schola Cantorum de Paris
Rue Saint-Jacques
Quartier du Val-de-Grâce, 5th arrondissement
Paris, July 2014

See also: Peace Elephant - Mikhail Baryshnikov - Two Rivers - Peace Fountain - Soul of the Arts

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Floréal Piaggio Ape

A floral Piaggio Ape, Via Por Santa Maria, Florence,

A Floréal Piaggio Ape
Via Por Santa Maria
Florence, April 2015

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Santander Cycles

Santander Cycles, Waterloo station, Station Approach, Lambeth, London

Santander Cycles, Waterloo station
Station Approach, Lambeth
London, September 2015

“Santander Cycles is a public bicycle hire scheme in London, United Kingdom. The scheme's bicycles are popularly known as Boris Bikes, after Boris Johnson, who was the Mayor of London when the scheme was launched. The operation of the scheme is contracted by Transport for London to Serco. The scheme is sponsored, with Santander UK being the main sponsor from April 2015. Barclays Bank was the first sponsor from 2010 to March 2015, when the service was branded as Barclays Cycle Hire.” (Santander Cycles, Wikipedia)

Monday, October 19, 2015

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1652
Santa Maria della Vittoria (Our Lady of Victory)
Via Venti Settembre
Rome, April 2013

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Cinéma Les Cinq Caumartin

Cinéma Les Cinq Caumartin, rue Saint-Lazare, Paris

Cinéma Les Cinq Caumartin
Rue Saint-Lazare
Quartier de l'Europe, 9th arrondissement
Paris, July 2014

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Coffer Ceiling

Ceiling of the anatomical theatre, Archiginnasio, Piazza Galvani, Bologna

Ceiling of the anatomical theatre, 1637
Archiginnasio
Piazza Galvani
Bologna, June 2015

“The theatre – completely made of spruce wood – underwent several modification and reached its final shape between 1733 and 1736. In this period, Silvestro Giannotti carved the wooden statues which decorate the theatre walls. They represent some famous physicians of Ancient times (Hippocrates, Galenus, etc.) and of the local athenaeum (Mondino de Liuzzi, Gasparo Tagliacozzi). The two famous statues of the ‘Spellati’ (skinned) carrying the canopy surmounting the teacher’s chair are the work of the well-known artist of anatomical wax displays, Ercole Lelli. In the centre of the theatre stands the white table on which the dissection of human or animal bodies took place.” (Anatomical theatre of the Archiginnasio, Wikipedia)

Friday, October 16, 2015

Boy with a Dolphin

Boy with a Dolphin by David Wynne, Cheyne Walk, Oakley Street, Chelsea, London

“Boy with a Dolphin” by David Wynne, 1974
Cheyne Walk / Oakley Street, Chelsea
London, September 2015

“On the corner of Oakley Street, opposite the Albert Bridge, is David Wynne's striking Boy with a Dolphin. Wynne used his youngest son, Ronald, as a model, and it was erected here in 1975. Ronald died in 1999, aged thirty-five, and the sculpture is now his memorial.” (Peter Matthews, London’s Statues and Monuments)

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Hotel California

Hotel California, Berlin

Hotel California am Kurfürstendamm
Kurfürstendamm
Berlin, September 2011

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Maréchal Joseph Gallieni

Monument to maréchal Joseph Gallieni by Jean Boucher, place Vauban, Paris

Monument to maréchal Joseph Gallieni by Jean Boucher, 1926
Place Vauban
Quartier de l'École-Militaire, 7th arrondissement
Paris, July 2014

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Rotonda degli Scolari

Rotunda, church of St. Mary of the Angels, Florence
,
Rotonda degli Scolari (Scholars' Rotunda), originally by Filippo Brunelleschi
Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli (Church of St. Mary of the Angels)
Via degli Alfani / Via del Castellaccio
Florence, April 2014

“In 1434, Filippo Brunelleschi was commissioned by the Medici family to design an oratory for the monastery. It was located at the corner of the property, along the outer wall. Though construction was rapid, it was halted due to funding problems in 1437. In 1503, the shell was given a simple wooden roof, but the structure deteriorated rapidly. The building, which was used for various purposes, was patched up and given its modern appearance in the 1930s. It was given to the university and thus its more modern name Rotonda degli Scolari (‘Scholars' Rotunda’).” (Church of St. Mary of the Angels, Florence, Wikipedia)

Monday, October 12, 2015

Boiler Suit

Boiler Suit by Thomas Heatherwick, Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond Road, Southwark, London

“Boiler Suit” by Thomas Heatherwick, 2007
Guy’s Hospital
Great Maze Pond Road
London, September 2015

“The exciting new scheme is his studio’s first commission for the National Health Service and brings together a huge number of improvements which will benefit patients, visitors and staff alike. These include widened pavements for better pedestrian access; a one-way traffic system, with designated drop off points; improved signage and lighting; and a new shop for the Friends of Guy’s Hospital. At the centre of the scheme is the Boiler Suit, a unique façade designed to encase the boiler house which powers Guy’s Hospital. The Boiler Suit is made up of 108 undulating tiles of woven stainless steel braid and is illuminated at night to provide a distinctive welcoming beacon for staff and visitors arriving at hospital in the dark.” (Boiler Suit by Thomas Heatherwick, Dezeen)

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Libreria Cappelli

Spider weaving its web, Cappelli family's coat of arms, Piazza GalvaniBologna

Former Libreria Cappelli (Cappelli Bookstore)
Cappelli family's coat of arms
Piazza Galvani
Bologna, June 2015

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Cour Puget

Cour Puget, Richelieu wing, Musée du Louvre, Paris

Cour Puget, Richelieu wing
Musée du Louvre
Rue de Rivoli
Quartier Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, 1st arrondissement
Paris, July 2014

“This courtyard, designed by the architect Lefuel, was among the buildings occupied by the Finance Ministry between 1871 and 1989. The glass roof, added in 1993, is similar to that of the Cour Marly. The space is devoted to outdoor statuary from the 17th to the 19th centuries.” (Cour Puget, Louvre)

See also: Four Captives

Friday, October 9, 2015

The Deposition from the Cross

Mosaic of the Deposition from the Cross, western façade lunette above the Portal of St. Alipius, St Mark's Basilica, Venice

“Cristo deposto dalla croce” (The Deposition from the Cross)
Western façade lunette above the Portal of St. Alipius
Basilica di San Marco (St Mark's Basilica)
Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square)
Venice, September 2013

See also: The Last Judgment - First Lunette

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Broken Sublime

Broken Sublime (The Invention of Tools) by Marc Quinn, Somerset House, London

“Broken Sublime (The Invention of Tools)” by Marc Quinn, 2015
The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court
Somerset House, Strand
London, September 2015

“Four monumental sculptures by Marc Quinn will be presented in The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court this September and October. Forming two bodies of work entitled Frozen Wave and Broken Sublime (2015), the sculptures originate from the remnants of shells. This installation is the first time the works will be presented outdoors and the sculptures will be amidst the courtyard’s fountains, underlining the works’ connection to water.” (Marc Quinn: Frozen Waves, Broken Sublimes, Somerset House Trust)

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

St. Paul's Chapel

St. Paul's Chapel, Morningside Heights campus, Columbia University, New York

St. Paul's Chapel
Columbia University, Morningside Heights campus
Amsterdam Avenue
New York, September 2008

“Many religious groups use the chapel throughout the week for their meetings; it hosts over 600 religious services each year for a variety of faiths. Several non-religious student groups also use the chapel. The most notable of these are the student magazine The Blue and White and the Postcrypt Coffeehouse, a folk music venue featuring live music weekly. The coffeehouse has been called perhaps ‘the most haunting (not haunted) performance space in the City.’” (St. Paul's Chapel, Wiwipedia)

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Maréchal Émile Fayolle

Monument to maréchal Émile Fayolle by Jean Boucher, place Vauban, Paris

Monument to maréchal Émile Fayolle by Jean Boucher, 1935
Place Vauban
Quartier de l'École-Militaire, 7th arrondissement
Paris, July 2014

Monday, October 5, 2015

Via Drapperie

Bologna

Fruit and vegetables shop
Via Drapperie
Bologna, June 2015

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Red Cross Garden

Red Cross Garden, Redcross Way, Southwark, London

Red Cross Garden
Redcross Way, Southwark
London, September 2015

“Red Cross Garden was laid out in 1887 on the site of a burnt down paper factory and a derelict warehouse. Its meandering paths were designed to give a sense of space and a place to wander amongst the curved lawns and flower beds. An ornamental pond was made with a fountain to provide beauty and movement, offering a focus for contemplation. The bandstand provided for performances of music and poetry. Where the BOST information centre now stands, Octavia Hill had a covered play area for children so that they could be outside in sunshine or rain, and overhead a walkway for viewing the garden or choir performances. Colourful mosaics brought art and beauty to the working poor – The Sower mosaic still remains, but there was also a beautiful one called The Good Shepherd – unfortunately this seems to have been lost when the warehouse that bounded the garden on the north side was demolished. The garden was the venue for the annual Southwark Flower Show, and many fetes and celebrations.” (Red Cross Garden, Bankside Open Spaces Trust)

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Closed Balcony

Ornate eranda, closed balcony, Via Piemonte, Rome

An ornate “veranda” (closed balcony)
Via Piemonte
Rome, April 2013

Friday, October 2, 2015

Big Beach Chair

Big beach chair, Paris-Plages, Paris

Big beach chair
Paris-Plages
4th arrondissement
Paris, July 2014

“For one month every summer, the Georges Pompidou Expressway along Paris’s Right Bank transforms into a pedestrian refuge replete with a sandy beach. A dazzling array of attractions vie for your attention, from activities like dance lessons, climbing walls, games, and swimming (in floating pools, not the Seine, thankfully), to amenities like beach chairs, cafes, misting fountains, and shady palm trees. Its enormous popularity can be traced to strong management and innovative programming, which keep the place humming well into the night with shows and performances.” (Paris Plage, Project for Public Spaces)

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Daniele Manin

Sarcophagus of Daniele Manin, Piazzetta dei Leoncini, San Marco, Venice

Sarcophagus of Daniele Manin
Piazzetta dei Leoncini, San Marco
Venice, October 2012