If you’re traveling in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, be sure to visit the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Housed in the historic Monroe School building (a great example of Classical Revival architecture), the Children’s Museum features three floors of incredible sensory and motor stimulation. Their latest installation, dubbed The Climber, is a 37-foot high, 50-ton conglomeration of structural steel, fiberglass, wood, stainless steel aircraft cable, and found objects. My kids loved this wholly whimsical and totally hands- (and feet-) on installation. “Now this is the ultimate treehouse,” enthusiastically commented my son before dashing up one of its numerous gangways.
Various perches are cantilevered throughout the structure that allow visitors to climb into or onto, including wacky themed objects:
• Flying Bathtub
• Dream Boat
• Roof Top
• Fish Walk
• Recycled Rocket
The structure is thoughtfully constructed with a third-floor observation deck that permits visitors with limited mobility (or just too pooped to continue climbing) to observe the multi-level terrain of The Climber.
Clamber, balance, maneuver and discover — The Climber will engage your mind and muscles! Don’t miss it.
— Photos were taken with iPhone 3GS camera and Pro HDR app.
Taking inspiration from Cassandre and Baumann
Inspired by the recent photo I took of the Pauline Chapel, I created a graphic illustration of this historic building. The strong play of light and shadow on the geometric stucco walls reminded me of the vintage 1930s travel posters of the great early 20th century graphic designer A.M. Cassandre (Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron). His poster style drew on the avant-garde influences of Cubism and Futurism and integrated strong use of typography.
Cassandre employed airbrush and friskets (masks) to create his works of poster art. My illustration was developed using vector-based software tools in Adobe Illustrator CS4. I exaggerated the proportions of the Pauline Chapel, emphasizing the height and perspective of the chapel’s prominent tower.
The composition was naturally framed by the Blue Spruce and Ponderosa Pine to the left and right of the chapel. I found that rendering vegetation proved to be challenging, so I chose a simplified approach. The German-born American print maker and painter Gustave Baumann created colorful, stylized woodcuts of southwestern landscapes. His stylistic approach served as inspiration for the two evergreen trees in my composition.
History of Pauline Chapel
Pauline Chapel is adjacent to St. Paul Church near the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. The Chapel is a notable example of ornate Spanish Colonial Revival and its antecedent style, Mission Revival Style, which both draw inspiration from the early Spanish missions of California. The Chapel was built in 1918 by the prominent Colorado Springs architectural firm of MacLaren and Hetherington under the close supervision of local Colorado Springs philanthropist Julie Penrose. The chapel is named after the Penrose’s daughter, Pauline Penrose. The Pauline Chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 26, 2001.
Recently I had the privilege of hearing the spoken talents of three great women: my wife (okay, I’m slightly biased here), my sister-in-law poet, and a 93-year-old Chicago artist, activist, and writer. What united these three ladies? A love for educating and a passion for overcoming the inequities of our society. My wife organized an event to celebrate black history month, held at the University of the Rockies, Colorado Springs on Saturday, February 27. She put together a diverse and talented group of performance artists, poets, storytellers, and educators. The event’s honored guest speaker was Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs, internationally prominent artist, educator, writer, and renowned as the founder—along with her late husband Charles Burroughs—of the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, Illinois.
During the event, I was reminded how vital it is to recognize the talent and gifts that we all possess. I’ve come to realize the greatest challenge in one’s life is oneself. While self-deprecation can be an expression of modesty, chronic self-doubt is a toxic affliction. Failure to be confident in our abilities—or worse, failure to recognize our God-given talents—squanders our legacy. Yes, legacy. Dr. Burroughs spoke passionately about lasting human legacy in her poem entitled, “What will your legacy be?” The poem speaks of the great accomplishments of civil rights pioneers. By overcoming tremendous social adversity, these leaders left a lasting bridge of hope and a brighter future for generations to come.
What bridges will you build for future generations to cross over? Burroughs’ lesson is profound yet simple: Pursue your passion, do great works, and help others along the way. By applying these principles throughout our life, we can leave a rich and enduring legacy for future generations.
Listen to Dr. Burroughs’ reading her poem, “What will your legacy be?” during last month’s black history celebration.
Armed with digital cameras, my good friend Lee Brown (blog author of A Day Not Wasted) and I set out early Saturday morning in search of natural beauty. Our mission: to capture eye-catching water photos at Helen Hunt Falls in North Cheyenne Cañon Park. Unfortunately, the splendor of the falls lay hidden beneath ice and snow. Determined to make the most of our photo trek, instead we turned our camera eyes on the local architectural beauty of Pauline Chapel near the Broadmoor Hotel.
The Pauline Chapel, built in 1918, is a notable example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style.
My obsession with iPhonography (i.e. iPhone photography) and the High Dynamic Range (HDR) technique has been elevated with my recent purchase of the Owle Bubo. This novel iPhone camera mount, made of solid billet aluminum, features a swappable 37mm wide-angle lens for stable video and still photography. The Pauline Chapel photos were taking with the following equipment:
• iPhone 3GS
• Owle Bubo with 37mm wide-angle lens
• Camera tripod
Camera apps and post-production software:
• SlowShutter
• Photomatix Pro
• Photoshop CS4
Pauline Chapel: main entrance.
I achieved multiple exposures using the iPhone app SlowShutter to produce three exposures (+1EV, 0, -1EV). By applying Photomatix Pro, the three different exposures were combined into a single image. I then used Photoshop’s Lens Correction filter to reduce the barreling effect of the wide-angle lens.
Our final stop was the Garden of the Gods to catch the last southerly morning sunlight. Perching my tripod on a ridge south of the Gateway entrance, I shot a panorama series facing west towards Pikes Peak. I used the iPhone app Pro HDR to create the HDR composite, then later on my computer, used Photoshop’s Photomerge feature to blend four panorama frames.
Garden of the Gods Park, looking west toward Pikes Peak.
The photo below was taken using the standard iPhone camera app. By tapping on light, dark and intermediate tones, iPhone’s white balance function effectively created three different exposures, which were composited in Photomatix Pro to create the final HDR photo.
Garden of the Gods Park, facing north.
This panorama was created from five separate frames held steady with the aid of my tripod. Only the standard camera iPhone app was used along with Photoshop to create the final composite image. Minimal retouching was applied.
Balanced Rock, Garden of the Gods Park.
Concluding thoughts: the iPhone camera offers remarkably high quality point-and-shoot functionality, which can be enhanced by the Owle Bubo and iPhone apps. SlowShutter is an intriguing app that enables manual exposure value (EV) control and virtual shutter speed adjustment, but its lack of tap-focus integration is problematic. Photomatix and Photoshop are indispensable, high-end software that produce stunning photos for pros and hobbyists alike. For those interested in achieving HDR results on a limited budget, Pro HDR and Photoshop.com Mobile app produce great results right on the iPhone, without the need for a high-performance computer and expensive software.
High Dynamic Range or HDR is a photographic and post-production technique that creates stunning photos by combining multiple exposures into a single image with deep shadows, rich mid-tones, and bright highlights. Before digital point-and-shot and SLR cameras, HDR was the domain of analog professionals like Ansel Adams. Today, even a greenhorn shutterbug can capture remarkable results using…yes, you guessed it—an iPhone! Here’s what you’ll need:
• iPhone 3GS
• Pro HDR app (download from iTunes App store)
• Tripod (recommended) or stablizing object
Pro HDR is remarkably easy to use: You capture two exposures of the same subject. Take the first exposure by tapping an area that is bright. Without moving the iPhone, take a second exposure by tapping an area that is in shadow. The app automatically aligns and blends the two images, combining them into a single, full tonal range photo. Both the under and overexposed images are also saved, useful for adjustment in Photoshop or Photomatix Pro, two favorite photo manipulation software. Below is an example. This is no award winning composition, but this HDR image is demonstrative of how well this little app works!
Overexposed image (resting camera on porch pillar for stability)
Underexposed image taken from my porch using iPhone and Pro HDR.
Photo adjustments can be made directly in Pro HDR before saving.
Final result: combined exposures into single HDR photo.
While the pros typically take three to five exposures for HDR photos using a sophisticated digital SLR camera, I’m suitably impressed with Pro HDR’s results with only two exposures using a tiny device with a fixed lens. Pro HDR produces full 3-megapixel resolution results. I’m eager to try some additional photo manipulation in Photomatics and Photoshop with the under- and overexposed shots. Stay tuned for more results.
Visit the blog A Day Not Wasted for more information and resources on HDR photography.
Lost wax is not a lost art at the Shidoni Foundry near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Nestled in the Rio Tesuque Valley, among former apple orchards and majestic cottonwood tress, the Shidoni bronze art foundry is known around the world for its superb monumental bronze craftsmanship. Working artists who comprise Shidoni’s staff specialize in large scale work, as well as smaller one-of-a-kind casts and recast editions.
I had the pleasure of touring Shidoni’s 14,000 square foot facility during an autumn Colorado College reunion lead by anthropology professor emeritus Dr. Marianne Stoller. I invite you to enjoy the following photo and video blog, which document the labor intensive, multi-faceted process of lost wax bronze casting.
The final video in this post is courtesy of New Mexico PBS station KNME. This excerpted documentary demonstrates Shidoni’s innovative techniques and application of cutting edge material science during the complex process of casting metals. The video also features renown American sculptor Allan Houser, but fails to identify a woman sculptor, whom I believe is Glenna Goodacre, the well-known artist who designed the obverse of the Sacagawea dollar. I welcome your comments and correction if I’ve misidentified the interviewee.
Click to enlarge photos.
Model: large works like this use an inner foam structure to maintain the structural integrity of the clay or wax model.
Latex mold: layers of latex are applied to the full-size sculpture mold.
Mold-making: careful planning is required to determine how segments of a large sculpture will be disassembled and reconstructed.
Wax casting: the flexible latex mold is held rigid in a plaster case and is now ready for wax casting.
Wax cast: the wax cast is removed from the mold and hand-finished by a trained artisan. This step is the most critical in achieving the sculpture
Investment: The wax cast is coated with many layers of liquid refractory ceramic, called an investment. The investment cures for several days.
Burn-out: The wax cast inside the investment is fired in a kiln. This process bakes the investment shell and eliminates the wax, leaving a cavity for the bronze casting.
Patina: The finished bronze is treated with chemicals and heated with a flame. This gives the sculpture the desired color according to the artist's specifications.
In graduate school, I developed a series of essays and visual investigations on the concept of time. I thought it might be interesting to offer the following excerpts to my blog followers for your reflection and comment. At the risk of dating myself, nearly all my meaningful grad school work was done at the cusp of the digital revolution. High performance Mac desktops (remember the Mac II?) had just begun making their way into the graphic design scene. 3-D design software on the Mac platform was rudimentary at best, so I spent most of my creative hours building dimensional models in paper, foam-core and wire. I then photographed the models using an SLR 35mm camera with Ektachrome film (the significance of using Ektachrome slide film will be discussed in my next blog post).
My initial studies began with readings about the historical and cultural meanings of time. My body of work concluded with a more personal interpretation: time as a creative process and catalyst for growth.
Series One: Eastern and Western interpretations
I found the Eastern concept of time to be poetic and holistic. For example, the Chinese word for universe, 宇宙 (yǔzhòu), consists of compound characters that literally mean space-time. Chinese philosophers viewed the passage of time from eternity to present as zhòu and space in all directions, above and below as yǔ.
The three photographers Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind, and Frederick Sommer irrevocably charted a new course in photography during the mid-twentieth century. Collectively, these photographers pushed classical photography beyond its traditional representational boundaries to one of pure abstraction and metaphor. I had the pleasure of recently seeing At the Crossroads of American Photography: Callahan, Siskind, Sommer, a featured exhibition at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA). According to SMoCA, this is the first full comparative exhibition of these three pioneers. All self-taught, Callahan, Siskind, and Sommer elevated photography to fine art, using seminal techniques and creative compositions to achieve remarkably fine art.
I found the exhibition, consisting of some 150 high quality prints, to be an intimate and meditative experience. While many of the works I had seen reproduced in art history books, several were heretofore unseen; on loan from private collections. A favorite work of my wife and mine is entitled Paracelsus. This gelatin silver print was created without a camera, using a synthetic negative. Listen to a detailed audio description of Paracelsus from the Norton Simon Museum.
At the Crossroads of American Photography: Callahan, Siskind, Sommer had been held over through August 9, 2009. If you’re in the Scottsdale area, this show is well worth the price of admission. A large format catalogue of beautiful reproductions is available from the SMoCA Store.
Located in the heart of Munich’s bustling city, Marienplatz (Mary’s Square) has been the city’s market center since the 12th Century. Today, old traditions intermingle with new as vendor stalls dot the pedestrian mall next to trendy fashion boutiques. Marienplatz is a must-see destination when visiting Munich. During my recent visit to Munich, I took the U-Bahn underground rail system to the Marienplatz stop, a major transportation hub that serves the urban and suburban mass transit lines. As you disembark, you walked through an ultra-modern subway tunnel with glistening orange ceramic tiles, then up the escalator to the street level of Marienplatz, where you’re greeted by Gothic architecture—what a visual contrast! Read more…
With the rapid decline of railroad transportation in the early ‘80s, rail districts throughout the U.S. slid into urban decay. The rail yards and adjacent neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico were declared a blighted area in 1987, characterized by property abandonment, unemployment, crime, and barren urban landscapes.
Fast-forward twenty years and you will see the same urban geography has been redefined by a vibrant, revitalized community. The design process involved hundreds of participants: citizens, land planners, architects, and city council members. The resulting redevelopment—dubbed The Railyard Santa Fe—incorporates an eclectic mix of performing art venues, restaurants, retail, art studios and galleries, a permanent structure for Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, and 13 acres of open space including a park, plaza, and pedestrian promenade.
During my recent trip to Santa Fe, I visited The Railyard and was surprised how well the redevelopment project integrates with the surrounding urban and natural landscape. The hard-edged, rugged look of the buildings reflects the city’s intention to preserve the industrial feel of the original rail complex. The shinny corrugated metal surfaces, exposed hardware, and strong rectilinear walls unexpectedly harmonize with the prevailing adobe architecture.
The multi-use Railyard Park is a real gem, with its eco-friendly, drought-resistant garden with outdoor performance and picnic areas, playground, and walking-biking trails. Original iron rails and rusted rail car wheels are cleverly integrated into the linear walkways and gardens.
The Railyard marks its one-year anniversary this September. Enjoy my picture gallery (click on the water tower image) and let me hear your comments. For more information on The Railyard, visit www.railyardsantafe.com.
High Dynamic Range or HDR is a photographic and post-production technique that creates stunning photos by combining multiple exposures into a single image with deep shadows, rich mid-tones, and bright highlights. Before digital point-and-shot and SLR cameras, HDR was the domain of analog professionals like 
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