Architecture

With Love, Venezia

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From Rialto Bridge With Love. Venice, Italy. June 2003. 

From Rialto Bridge With Love. Venice, Italy. June 2003. 

I thought I would put a genuine throwback photo into the mix today. I studied abroad in Rome the summer of 2003. Weekends would entail jumping on a train and going somewhere in Italy. Venice was my final side trip before returning to the U.S., and it was the most magical. Yes, you are overcharged for a ride on a gondola, yes the water smells a bit, yes there were lots of pigeons in St. Mark's Square, but GDI do Venetians know how to make a good Bellini and live "la dolce vita". 

Pipe Up

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Pipe Up. Helsinki, Finland. July 2013. 

Pipe Up. Helsinki, Finland. July 2013. 

A standout for me in Helsinki is the Sibelius Monument, a beautiful abstract installation dedicated to Finnish composer and patriot Jean Sibelius. The monument is constructed from 600 steel pipes welded together and actually does produce it's own music when the wind picks up.  Visitors can walk right up to the piece, touch it, stand underneath it and that is exactly what I did to capture this shot. 

My Sacred Heart

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If My Heart Leapt Out of My Chest. Paris, France. August 2012.

If My Heart Leapt Out of My Chest. Paris, France. August 2012.

If my heart took the form of a structure, it would closely resemble the Sacré-Cœur. The Eiffel Tower may be the star of Paris, however the Sacré-Coeur (to me) is a close second. I love the Roman-Byzantine influence of the basilica-it's curves, symmetry, and striking white stone. It is a bit of a climb to reach the Sacré-Coeur, but it is absolutely worth the view when you get there.

 

Doorway to Heaven

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Doorway to Heaven. Marrakesh, Morocco. February 2015. 

Doorway to Heaven. Marrakesh, Morocco. February 2015. 

The Spa at the Royal Mansour in Marrakesh may be one of the most beautiful spaces I have ever walked into. You enter the spa and walk down a candle lit hallway towards this glorious white birdcage. The Royal Mansour was commissioned by the King Mohammed IV and he wanted it to be a landmark that honored Morocco's regaled history of craftsmanship. You will see this craftsmanship reflected in the design and handmade details of the hotel and spa.

I took this photo as I was entering the spa lobby and it was a like walking into a piece of heaven. If you are looking for a brief and serene getaway from the medina, THIS is the place.

Oculus to the Sky

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Oculus to the Sky. Rome, Italy. January 2009. 

Oculus to the Sky. Rome, Italy. January 2009. 

I studied in Rome the summer of 2003 and returned six years later with my sister Tracie. The Pantheon is on every visitor's 'must see' list and for good reason. Perhaps it's the Libra in me, but I love the Pantheon for its symmetry and balance. The dome was constructed in a way where a perfect sphere would fit underneath it. The distance from the ground to the oculus is 142 ft (43.3 m) and the diameter at the base of the dome is also 142 ft, so you can imagine a giant globe taking up the interior of the building. The oculus is also the main source of natural light and as the sun moves so does the beam, shining a spotlight on various parts of the interior throughout the day. It's beautiful to witness. 

Standing on Stelae

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Somber Stelae. Berlin, Germany. December 2008.

Somber Stelae. Berlin, Germany. December 2008.

Pictured here is my younger sister Tracie standing on one of the stelaes of the monument. We visited Berlin in December knowing that wintermarkts and glühwein would be unforgettable, however it was monuments like the Holocaust Memorial and Berlin Wall that left the most memorable impressions in the winter. 

Step Back in Time

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Village Life. Hongcun, China. July 2007. 

Village Life. Hongcun, China. July 2007. 

I first caught of glimpse of Hongcun (Anhui province) in the film "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon". Visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site is like walking back in time hundreds of years. It is a well preserved village with homes dating back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Painters make the pilgrimage to Hongcun specifically to paint the architecture. If given the chance, I would go back and visit because it was a very welcome break from the urban crowds in nearby cities. 

Glass Ceiling

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The Glass Ceiling. Paris, France. August 2012.

I thought this was a timely photo to post as it coincides with The Clinton Foundation & The Gates Foundation's 'No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project" report. The retrospective report compiles 20 years of data on the status of women, girls, and gender equality. Two decades since former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the United Nations Conference in Beijing, delcaring that "women's rights are human rights," progress has been made, however there are still significant barriers to closing the gender gap around the world. To draw attention to this disparity, Secretary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton launched the 'Not There' global campaign yesterday on International Women's Day to draw much needed attention to gender equality. I hope that we can finally break through the glass ceiling before another 20 years goes by. 

St. Nicholas & St. Alexander

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St. Nicholas & St. Alexander. Tallinn, Estonia. July 2013. 

 

What I love about this view from St. Olav's Church terrace are the two distinct architectural styles in the skyline - St. Nicholas' Church gothic spire and St. Alexander Nevsky's onion domes. These two structures are stand outs in Tallinn's old city center. 

 

Wall of Broken Tiles

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Broken Tiles. Istanbul, Turkey. November 2012.

My friend Roz and I came across this wall while strolling through Sultanahmet. What I love about these particular fragments is that many of them feature the tulip. The tulip is the national flower of Turkey, a fact that I was completely unaware of prior to my trip. Tulip, is actually derived from "tulbend," the Turkish word for the turban due to the flower's shape and likeness to one.