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Architecture

Grauman’s Chinese Theater turns 90!

May 14, 2017 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood, Photo Romi Cortier — Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood, Photo Romi Cortier

Chinese Heaven Dog, Ming Dynasty, 1403 - 1643, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Photo Romi Cortier — Chinese Heaven Dog, Ming Dynasty, 1403 – 1643, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Photo Romi Cortier

On May 18th, 2017, Grauman’s Chinese Theater will turn 90!

Try to imagine it’s 1927, and you’re invited to one of Hollywood’s most spectacular events. Thousands of people are lining Hollywood Boulevard in hopes of catching a glimpse of movie stars and celebrities of the era. Massive spotlights can be seen for miles. A Wurlitzer organ and 65-piece orchestra provide music for the prologue. And the premiere film is Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings, preceded by Glories of the Scriptures, a live prologue devised by master showman Sid Grauman. $2,000,000 sure could buy a lot back in those days.

Grauman's Chinese Theater, 1927, Photo courtesy www.waterandpower.org/museum — Grauman’s Chinese Theater, 1927, Photo courtesy www.waterandpower.org/museum

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of standing in front of the theater, it still thrills. And the change of energy as you step from the sidewalk into the forecourt, is palpable. Could it be the footprints and signatures of those glorious stars from Hollywood’s Golden Era who’ve left echoes of their lives in the concrete, letting us literally touch the past? Is it the feeling of being wrapped by 40-foot high curved walls with copper turrets, creating a big warm cosmic hug? Or is it the effects of amazing feng shui, as chi is channeled from the heavens down into those curved walls circling the forecourt before it breaks out onto the sidewalk. Whatever the case, it’s tangible and it’s exciting.

I was surprised to learn that the forecourt, designed by architect Raymond M. Kennedy of the firm Meyer and Holler, was inspired by St. Peter’s Square. Apparently there were lots of issues regarding morality during the early days of filmmaking, with great concern about the impact of movies on society in general. There was great social change happening at the turn of the 20th century as we transitioned from a Victorian sensibility into our modern era. It was absolutely scandalous for women to even show their ankles. And who could imagine that within 20 years women would be lopping off their hair into bobs, smoking cigarettes in public, and wearing slinky glitzy sheath dresses. Quite frankly, morality was going to hell in a hand basket, and those movies were promoting a degenerate lifestyle… as some would say. Therefore, the subtext of the theaters forecourt was meant to have a religious, and thus moral feeling to it. What a great way to use architecture and design to shape social attitudes. Below is a fantastic 1925 rendering by Mr. Kennedy, illustrating his idea for this slice of chinoiserie heaven.

Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood, Presentation paing by Architect Raymond M. Kennedy, about 1925. Tempera on cardboard. — Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood, Presentation painting by Architect Raymond M. Kennedy, about 1925. Tempera on cardboard.

The 18th of May is just a few days away, and I may have to drop by the theater again to see what kind of celebration is happening. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this interview that I recently had with Barbie artist Judy Ragagli, as she discusses the inspiration behind her painting Barbie in Hollywood.

Learn more about Judy’s artwork HERE.

Architecture

Chicago’s Laramie State Bank Building

April 15, 2017 romicortier@yahoo.com 1 Comment

Laramie State Bank Building, Chicago, Ill, Photo Romi Cortier — Laramie State Bank Building, Chicago, IL, Photo Romi Cortier

The Laramie State Bank Building in Chicago is a feast for the eyes. Whether or not you’re a lover of Art Deco, you can’t help but notice this gem while driving by. The butterscotch colored terra cotta, created by the Northwestern Terra Cotta Company, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

Former Laramie State Bank Building, courtesy Forgotten Chicago Forum, via Berwyn Frank, circa 1910 — Formerly the Ruzicka Drug Store Building, now the current Laramie State Bank Building, courtesy Forgotten Chicago Forum, via Berwyn Frank, circa 1910.

What started out as a one-story addition and remodel of a modest 1909 building, grew into a massive overhaul which was completed by 1929. Architects Meyer & Cook were responsible for the Deco makeover that features such details as: coins, squirrels, beehives, men at work, and the american eagle sinking it’s talons into the entire globe, all of which are symbols of industry and thrift. The moral of the story appears to be hard work and savings. The building resides at 5200 W. Chicago Avenue, on the corner of Laramie, in the community of Austin.

I found this building quite by accident, while driving to Oak Park to see all of the Frank Lloyd Wright homes and his personal studio last summer. It looked to be a short drive from the friends home that I was staying at. I dipped out early that Sunday morning while my friends slept, using google maps to find my way to Oak Park. The map looked simple, take a left anywhere, turn right at Chicago Avenue, and follow it all the way to Oak Park. As I rolled through the neighborhood, it appeared to be quite run down, and to be honest… downright scary. I saw the ‘Golden Arches’ of McDonald’s on my left and beelined it into the drive-thru for a quick bite. While waiting in line, I started observing the goings on in the parking lot…. hmmm. Drug deals, prostitution, it was very sketchy and I couldn’t get out of there quick enough. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I saw the amazing deco building sitting caddy corner and made a mental note to stop on my way back from Oak Park. If you’ve read previous posts on my blog, then you’ll see some of the other great buildings from my visit there, and I still have a few more to post.

Anyway, as I drove back from Oak Park, I parked my Jeep in the driveway of a different quick service restaurant, hopped out, and took a ton of photos in about 10 minutes. Yes, I was the only middle aged white guy with silver hair in the hood, so I sorta stood out. I simply smiled and said hello to those who looked at me, got my images and then bolted. When I got back to my friends house, I told her about my adventure. She said What! You went where?! Oh my god, don’t ever go there again, especially at night. You know when a fine looking black woman tells you to stay out of the hood, you’d better listen. I know I’m no Anderson Cooper covering some war torn country abroad, but I did feel like a bit of a rebel for being willing to get my blog photos. That said, so often these old buildings are in parts of town that are less than desirable. So you just have to throw on your best New York attitude and go for it. It’s always so rewarding when you come away with so many amazing images. I hope you like them as much as I do.

Laramie State Bank Building, Chicago, IL, Photo Romi Cortier

Architecture

A Desert MIRAGE by Doug Aitken

April 7, 2017 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

'MIRAGE' by Doug Aitken, Palm Springs, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier — MIRAGE, by Doug Aitken, Palm Springs, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

MIRAGE, by Doug Aitken, Photo by Romi Cortier (model unknown)

A spectacular desert MIRAGE, designed by Doug Aitken, sits just above Racquet Club Drive in Palm Springs. Nestled in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains, this site specific public art installation is part of a larger project titled Desert X.

I discovered this installation oddly enough on Instagram while searching the hash tag Palm Springs, or #palmsprings. It was one of those… wait, what is this, moments. By the following weekend I’d found it’s location online and made a beeline for it first thing Sunday morning, before the day heated up. It’s remarkable how something so recognizable as a suburban home, can nearly disappear when clad with mirrors. To quote Aitken, I wanted to take that form and drain it… drain it of narrative, drain it of history…. take all of the texture, surface, history. His inspiration for this sculpture is the architecture you don’t remember. I was interested in what you had driven by thousands of times and you don’t even register its presence because it’s just so much a part of the pattern.

For me, it made me think of the sci-fi film Predator, where the invisible villain reflects it’s surroundings, only being visible when it moves. So much of this home simply disappears as you move around it, because it’s reflecting the landscape. And once you’re inside, it becomes a human scale kaleidoscope. It’s quite odd to traverse the interior, not quite sure of what you’re looking at. You have to move slowly and carefully to get your bearings. That said, there was an air of giddiness and complete joy, as people of all ages experienced this space plopped in the middle of a desert oasis. I hope to return again and again, so that I can experience the home in different types of light. That said, the hours are from sun up till sun down, there’s no access after dark. It’s rocky terrain and there are rattlesnakes, so be aware of your surroundings if you choose to visit.

This art installation will be open to the public until October 31, 2017, and is free to the public.

Learn more at HERE

Architecture

Hills – DeCaro House, Oak Park Illinois

November 7, 2016 romicortier@yahoo.com 3 Comments

The Hills-DeCaro House, located at 313 Forest Avenue in Oak Park, has an extraordinary history. This house is part of the self guided Frank Lloyd Wright walking tour that can be seen while visiting Oak Park, Illinois.

The original structure, seen below, was built by architect Charles C. Miller for William Cunningham Gray in 1883. After changing ownership in 1900, the home was moved south of its original location, and rotated counterclockwise… who knew they could do that in 1906. Frank Lloyd Wright was then commissioned to redesign the home, thus creating the Prairie Style home seen above. This was achieved by entirely engulfing the original building, creating a more horizontal vibe, versus the vertical look of the original home.

The Gray House by Charles C. Miller, Photo courtesy of the Northwest Architect Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries in Minneapolis.

Completed around 1907, the home was a wedding gift from Nathan Moore, to his daughter Mary Hills . Not fond of the homes ‘stern and austere’ look, she hired a new architect to make alterations, such as extending the kitchen wing to include a pantry and breakfast room, enclosing the rear porch, and adding a children’s playroom under the rear porch.

In 1975 Tom and Irene DeCaro purchased the home and began a diligent restoration with the aid of architect John Tilton. But a fire in 1976 devastated much of the structure, including the entire second and third floors. Following a neighborhood fundraiser, construction resumed, returning the front elevation to its original 1906 design. For their part in the restoration, the Oak Park Landmarks Commission voted to rename the completed structure as the Hills-DeCaro House in 1977.

In 2009, the Smylies, who bought the home in 2001, decided to recreate a portion of the original pergola that had once existed. Subsequent digging uncovered the limestone foundation for the pavilion, while Roman bricks were matched to remnants found near the buried foundations.

I had no knowledge of any of these facts until I did research for this article. All I can tell you is how much I loved the grand, yet elegant proportions of this home when I stood in front of it. I also loved the color palette of the home, which seems to reflect todays current trend of of highly contrasting black and white exteriors. Little did I know when I walked through the alley behind the home, that the gorgeous pergola was fairly recent and a recreation of the original lost many years ago. This kind of love for architecture gives me faith in humanity on the eve of this very nerve racking election.

Architecture

Chicago’s Buckingham Fountain

October 26, 2016 romicortier@yahoo.com 2 Comments

Buckingham Fountain, Chicago, Photo Romi Cortier

Chicago’s Buckingham Fountain is breathtakingly beautiful. To stand in front of it, is to be enveloped by the truest essence of beauty. The sound of splashing water. The waters mist surrounding you. The sumptuous warmth of the pink Georgia marble. Bronze sculptures that immediately remind you of Versailles. The view of the ocean behind it. It’s truly a feast for all of your senses and should be at the top of your to do list while visiting Chicago.

I was lucky to arrive just as the sun was beginning to set, and I felt like I was witnessing the creation of an 18th-Century Italian painting. The rolling clouds changed color before my eyes, with shades of pale pink and baby blue. The spectacular ‘soft moonlight’ lighting on the fountain revealed itself as the sun continued to set. The warm tones of the marble against the backdrop of cool tones in the sky could not have been anymore perfect. I circled the fountain to experience it from every vantage point. I wanted to linger and spend hours by the fountains edge, but there were still so many things to see along Michigan Avenue.

Kate Sturges Buckingham (1858 – 1937) bestowed this remarkable gift to the city in 1927, as a memorial to her late brother Clarence Buckingham. To this day, it is one of the largest fountains of it’s type in the world. Architect Edward H. Bennett designed the fountain, and French artist Marcel Loyau produced the sculptural elements, inspired by the Latona Fountain at Versailles. Located at Columbus Drive and Congress Parkway in Grant Park, the fountains runs from 8 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily, from early April through mid-October, depending on the weather. I can’t wait to return to this glorious Chicago landmark.

Where Art Inspires Beauty

Tag Archives: Architecture

Grauman’s Chinese Theater turns 90!

Chicago’s Laramie State Bank Building

A Desert MIRAGE by Doug Aitken

Hills – DeCaro House, Oak Park Illinois

Chicago’s Buckingham Fountain

A Design Diary by Romi Cortier