The Taller the Spires, the Closer to God

The Taller the Spires, the Closer to God. Milan, Italy. May 2015.

Life in Milan centers around the Duomo di Milano. It is a magnificent gothic structure of flying buttresses and spires that took nearly 600 years to complete. It is hard to fathom, but all the marble for the duomo originates from one quarry, the Candoglia Quarry, located near Lago Maggiore about 100km north of Milan. This exclusive agreement has been in place for centuries and it means that marble mined from this quarry can only be used to restore the Duomo di Milano and no other project. This makes the cathedral something truly special.

As you can imagine, transporting this much marble in the 1300s was a massive endeavor and at this time Milan had navigli or canals (believed to be designed by da Vinci) snaking through the city that helped bring these massive blocks all the way down south through a system of locks.

The rooftop of the duomo is open to the public and from there you can truly appreciate the craftsmanship and architecture of the cathedral. Apparently there are more statues on the duomo than any other structure in the world.

The duomo is such a staple of daily life in Milan and is easily taken for granted, that is why photos like this remind me of how good I had it!

Wes Anderson's Vision

Headless Host. Milan, Italy. May 2015.

Zissou Zissou. Milan, Italy. January 2016.

Stepping into Bar Luce at the Fondazione Prada in Milan is stepping foot into the mind of Wes Anderson. Bar Luce could easily be a set from one of his films, a pastel palette, color-blocking, retro details, and symmetry, signatures of his whimsical films. The café, a throwback to Milanese cafés of the 50s and 60s, is just one of several collaborations between Prada and Wes Anderson. Anderson also directed a series of short films worth watching for the designer, Castello Cavalcanti and PRADA Candy series. Together they are a perfect collaboration and no visit to Milan is complete without experiencing it. 

Absof'inglutely

Absof'inglutely. London, England. March 2016. 

Because "earth without art is just 'eh.'"

Rose Tinted Marble

Rose Tinted Marble. Modena, Italy. March 2016. 

Modena, the home of Pavarotti, Bottura, Ferrari, Maserati, and this pink façade, is a small city that packs a big punch. I ate my way through the city, feasting on tortellini in brodo and endless gnocco fritto, famous specialities of Modena. I left feeling like a fried ball of dough.

In between meals and snacks, I was able to visit non-food related places including the duomo. This romanesque cathedral dates back to 1099 and took almost 200 years to complete. It is located in the Piazza Grande and pictured above is actually the side door, the "Porta Regia" aka the Royal Gate. This is the only side of the cathedral constructed in rose colored marble so it stands apart from the other exteriors. Similar to the pink façade, Modena itself is a standout amongst the others in northern Italy and not just for the balsamic vinegar.

Freshly Minted

Freshly Minted. Washington, D.C., U.S.A. July 2016.

I used to race through the Main Hall of Union Station to catch the Amtrak, however since the recently completed renovation I have taken a bit more time walking through to enjoy the transit hub. For the first time in 50 years, the Main Hall is clear of any obstructions. The renovations were prompted four years ago when an earthquake shook D.C. and damaged parts of the Station. Stakeholders used the opportunity to rethink the atrium of the hall e.g. remove the monstrosity of a cafe that used to sit in the middle of this beautiful space. Now visitors can appreciate the beautiful Beaux Arts hall the way that brilliant architect/urban planner Daniel Burnham created and designed it.  

The Red Sea

Red Sea. Venice, Italy. September 2015. 

This was an installation created by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota titled "The Key in Hand" for the Venice Art Biennale in 2015. Housed inside the Japanese Pavilion in the Giardini, it was beautiful, immersive, glowing. When you entered the exhibit, you were surrounded by a web of red yarn with individual keys hanging on each string. You felt as though you were "swimming" in a red sea and every surface inside reflected an electric crimson glow. This boat was a central focal point, however just one piece in the multi-roomed pavilion all interconnected by the yarn and key adorned cielings. I would do a poor job in summarizing Shiota's description of what the boat, red string, keys, and other items signify in the exhibit so I leave her description here for you to explore.

Moment of Zen

Moment of Zen. Washington, D.C., USA. September 2016. 

If you are a looking for a quiet hiding spot on D.C.'s National Mall, you will find it in one of the two garden courts at the Smithsonian's National Gallery of Art West Building. As a D.C. resident, this is a free and accessible retreat that I do not take advantage of enough.

The Hirshhorn has a panoramic room on their top floor, the National Portrait Gallery has a glass ceiling courtyard created by Foster+Partners, and the National Gallery of Art has this neo-classical garden. This photo was taken on a Sunday afternoon and while the gallery was bustling, the garden was perfectly still. 

So, "Here it is, your moment of zen."*

*Thank you Jon Stewart

Eye See You

Eye See You. Cappadocia, Turkey. November 2012.

Cappadocia is a magical place known for it's fairy chimneys, caves, and hot air ballon rides, it is a beautiful, natural wonder. My friend and I traveled to Cappadocia by way of Santorini after the 2012 election cycle. We needed a break from the chaos of the presidential campaign and decided to go into the caves (and skies) of Cappadocia, Göreme specifically, to get away. My friend and I stopped at a popular overlook for the fairy chimneys and saw this very well protected tree. It was 'looking' at us in all directions. I love the concept of the "evil eye," you can give it, and like this tree, be protected from it as well. Fate cuts both ways so beware of giving the "evil eye" because you run the risk of getting it right back.

Un Piccolo Sogno

Un Piccolo Sogno. Venice, Italy. August 2015. 

Elements of a Venetian dream, gondolas, gondoliers, and canals. 

Inside the Rib Cage Lies a Resilient Heart

Inside the Rib Cage Lies a Resilient Heart. NYC, USA. July 2016. 

Oculus, this distinctively Calatrava creation, is an intriguing addition to downtown NYC. Was it over-budget and is it unconventional? Absolutely. However if there is one American city that can showcase a piece of non-conformist architecture, it is New York. I love the glean of the white marble, the natural light that pours in through the spine of the rib cage, and the grandeur of the empty space. The steel ribs give me the feeling of walking through a modern day cloister and, to me, it is a fitting sentiment for this particular site. 

It is a busy transit hub, but catching it in a quiet moment between trains allows you to appreciate the size, scale, and location of the project. I found the second floor to be the best place for some contemplation and observation. While many would say it does not fit in with the skyline, I would argue that inside this rib cage lies the resilient heart of the city; commuters and observers give Oculus breath and life and they are the beating heart of New York.

Ciao Bello

Ciao Bello. Milan, Italy. July 2015. 

One of the benefits of living in Milan is being in the middle of high fashion. The same day Expo Milano 2015 opened, so did Armani/Silos, a fashion museum dedicated to creations by Giorgio Armani. When I visited last year, Armani/Silos was hosting a retrospective exhibition displaying 40 years of Armani's works over 4,500 square meters of industrial space designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Tadao Ando. The building was actually a silo for grain in the 1950s and is now home to roughly 600 dresses and 200 accessories. Walking through the corridors, you have to fight every impulse to touch and feel everything, although, on second thought, it would be a good way of catching the attention and starting a mild flirtation with one of the black-suited models/docents.

Let There Be Light

Let There Be Light. Copenhagen, Denmark. February 2016.  

This was my first step into a Lutheran Church and man was it a memorable one. When my friend and I visited Grundtvig's Kirke in Copenhagen, I expected significant foot traffic because it is one of the most recognizable churches in the city, however we walked into complete silence and this stunning, light-filled nave. Grundtvig's Kirke is known for it's Expressionist exterior and Gothic-inspired interior. While the exterior reminds me of a crazy space ship straight out of Krypton the interior is beautiful in its silence and simplicity.