Tag Archives: architecture

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Posted on February 18th, 2013 by

Gladiators

When I visited the grounds of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C., it was early morning and the museum wasn’t open. I have not have an opportunity to visit this museums collection, which is unfortunate because I really enjoy contemporary and modern art. I did get to visit the open courtyard which immediately made me think of ancient Rome and the Colosseum.

The outside looks like some sort of alien vessel landed in the National Mall. It’s an odd mix that makes me think about the architect’s intent. Artist’s intent is a topic that has been on my mind lately. I am traveling to Barcelona soon and I can hardly wait to see first hand many of the seminal works of Antoni Gaudi. What are these designers trying to bring into the world…it truly fascinates me.

HDR Photography
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden by W. Brian Duncan

Le Centre Pompidou

Posted on February 7th, 2013 by

Pipes Galore

A quick photo from Paris for today’s image. It’s of the Pompidou Center, the wonderful modern art museum in Paris, France. It is general for museums of modern art to have a striking design, but the French really outdid themselves on this one. The style is really more post-modern and something they call hi-tech. The facade is a internetworked crosshatch of pipes and conduit all of which are brightly colored making a visual delight for the eyes. This was also the first time on our trip the sun had come out so the new found light played well off the building. This photo is of the not often seen escalators at the left front of the center.

HDR Photography
Le Centre Pompidou by W. Brian Duncan

Lake Point Tower

Posted on January 17th, 2013 by

Nice Curves

I am not sure why I like this building so much, but Lake Point Tower, in Chicago just off of Nave Pier really caught my attention. It was early morning just after taking this shot of Navy Pier and walking to get some coffee that I saw the early morning light reflected off of this curvacious building. While most photos of the structure you will see look black, the reflective nature of all these windows made the building look truly golden. I actually took this zoomed further out, but ended up liking a tighter and more abstract crop.

HDR Photography
Lake Point Tower by W. Brian Duncan

The Best Door in Paris

Posted on December 11th, 2011 by

Lavirotte

One of our unintended great finds while visiting Paris was the at 29 Avenue Rapp in the 7th arrondissement, very close to the Eiffel Tower. Built in 1901, this Art Nouveau masterpiece by Jules Lavirotte is quite striking. The detailed door was designed by sculptor Jean-Baptiste Larrive and sculpted by a variety of others. If you happen to be in Paris, seek this beauty out!

What…You Want a Picture?

We waited for what seemed like ever for a man on the sidewalk outside to move. He just kept talking on his mobile and didn’t see at all impressed that I wanted to take a photograph of this door. I guess he was used to tourists snapping photos and moving on. I wanted something for my website that didn’t include his funny mustache!

HDR Photography
L’immeuble Lavirotte by W. Brian Duncan

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Posted on December 4th, 2011 by

Up Close and Personal

One evening while visiting some friends in Kansas City, Missouri, we took a car ride around during a misty, cold fall evening. We happened to be driving to the Power and Light District when I eyed a crazy structure off to our left. It was the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. With obvious architectural ties to the Sydney Opera House and the Guggenheim it truly is an impressive building which I look forward to seeing inside some day.

HDR Photography
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts by W. Brian Duncan