2010.07.28 19:00 - Looking at Architecture

The Guardian for this meeting was stevenaia Michinaga. The comments are by stevenaia Michinaga.

Much of tonight's conversation was about architecture, space and the buildings in the exhibit "Looking at Architecture" at the Museum of Sacred Art located within our little community.

From the exhibit notecard:

Welcome to the "Looking at Architecture" Special Exhibit. 

The exhibition is in three parts but centers around the idea that virtual buildings are a kind of model. Wonderful models they are because we can explore them almost as we would explore a real life building.

The first part of the exhibition presents the traditional tools we have to look at architecture when we can not actually visit a building. The visitor will see photographs, plans, a cutaway, section, elevation, models and isometrics of two important buildings of the twentieth century: Frank Lloyd Wright's Edgar J. Kaufmann House, better known as Falling Water; and Mies van der Rohe's German Pavilion for the Barcelona Exposition of 1929. After viewing the materials here, the visitor will be able to teleport to the Second Life virtual building and compare their experience there with their experience in the museum here.

The second part of the exhibit is a slide show of a variety of models and their uses. There are three Second Life models too. One of these is for the Museum of Sacred Art itself..

 We use our own museum as a lab to explore the client/architect relationship leading to the creation of a second life building. How might this experience differ from the creation of a Real Life building?

Gaya Ethaniel and Bruce Mowbray were at the Pavilion when I arrived

Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Bruce :)
Gaya Ethaniel: Hello stevenaia :)
stevenaia Michinaga: hi Gaya
Bruce Mowbray: Hi, Gaya and steve.
stevenaia Michinaga: it;s been quite a while since I've seen you
stevenaia Michinaga: hello Bruce
Gaya Ethaniel: I know, lovely to see you again :) [Un]fortunately, I woke up for no reasons that I'm aware of.
stevenaia Michinaga: what time is it where you are?
Gaya Ethaniel: 3 am now ...
Bruce Mowbray: 10 p.m. here.
stevenaia Michinaga: I sometimes awaken at 4:00 am my time and PaB is waiting to keep me company
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
stevenaia Michinaga: one moment I will see where to sit
Gaya Ethaniel: ok :)
Gaya Ethaniel: Are you still on your holidays stevenaia?
stevenaia Michinaga: no, got back this week. was at the beach and the sun al l last week, very nice
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Gaya Ethaniel zooms on stevenaia's T-shirt ...
stevenaia Michinaga: Adams gave it to me :)
Gaya Ethaniel: ah :) I couldn't make it because I went to see Domingo.
stevenaia Michinaga: the exhibit is still ongoing
Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Calvino :)
stevenaia Michinaga: hello Calvino
Gaya Ethaniel: Yes I will certainly drop by.
stevenaia Michinaga: I've spent a bit of time there, he has selected building I know well, so it is interesting
Bruce Mowbray: Hello, Calvino.
Gaya Ethaniel: I see, I'm more intrigued now :)
stevenaia Michinaga: reading shirt, it appears it will be there until December
stevenaia Michinaga: I will be going back
Gaya Ethaniel: Can you say more about those particular buildings? What interests you about them?
stevenaia Michinaga: the two are falling water by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe
stevenaia Michinaga: so there are photos and models of each, including SL models you can teleport to elsewhere
--BELL--
Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Paradise :)
Bruce Mowbray: Hello, Para.
stevenaia Michinaga: Someday I hope to visit Falling Water as I am 6=7 hours from it

Paradise Tennant joined us

Paradise Tennant: smiles hello cal ..bruce gaya steve :)
stevenaia Michinaga: hello Paradise, nice entry
Paradise Tennant: smiles yep managed not to land on someone's head :)
Calvino Rabeni: :) Paradise - nice wings - same designer as before?
stevenaia Michinaga: My architectural school was founded my Mies van der Rohe and I am very familiar with the Barcelona Pavilion
stevenaia Michinaga: so it was nice to walk around in both in SL
Paradise Tennant: yes cal :)
Gaya Ethaniel: stevenaia is telling us about some of buildings he knows well that are featured in the museum here.
Paradise Tennant: nods and smiles and listens :)
stevenaia Michinaga: Adam's exhibit
Gaya Ethaniel: I keep coming across 'Falling Water' in things I read, not always related to architecture.
Gaya Ethaniel: It must had [have had] an impact?
stevenaia Michinaga: yes, a remarkable building on a remarkable site, in fact they keep spending millions on it to keep it from not falling apart, he did push the limits of materials he used
Gaya Ethaniel listens :)
stevenaia Michinaga: it;s built over a stream with very large cantilevers in reinforced concrete, it tends to crack and bend in ways that were never intended
Bruce Mowbray: http://www.google.com/images?hl=&q=lloyd+wright+falling+waters&sourceid=navclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS328US328&ie=UTF-8&biw=997&bih=661
stevenaia Michinaga: the price of building with new materials
Paradise Tennant: smiles .. :) .. momentary balance among.. inexorable forces :)
stevenaia Michinaga: thank you Bruce
Bruce Mowbray: ;-)
stevenaia Michinaga: there is even a picture of it from SL in that group :)
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Gaya Ethaniel: I've seen the pictures before but I guess being in a built space is something that needs to be experienced in person.
Gaya Ethaniel: Become a part of it so to speak ...
stevenaia Michinaga: and I think that is part of the point of the exhibit
Gaya Ethaniel: SL is very good in that way.
stevenaia Michinaga: alternative reality, alternative experience
stevenaia Michinaga: although you can't touch the materials here
stevenaia Michinaga: part of what defines the space, the materials and surfaces

Sylectra Darwin by horse, landing right over my pillow (and me)

stevenaia Michinaga: hello Sylectra

Sylectra Darwin: um, hi. lol
Paradise Tennant: hiya Sylectra good to see you :)
Gaya Ethaniel: So the pushing the boundary of what is possible is something that sets Falling Water apart from other nice buildings on nice sites?
stevenaia Michinaga: looks up
Bruce Mowbray: Hello, Sylectra.
Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Sylectra :)
stevenaia Michinaga: thank god it;s not a male horse
Sylectra Darwin: Good to see you all !
Sylectra Darwin: hehehe
Gaya Ethaniel likes the horse and the lady on it.
Sylectra Darwin: Male horses should wear skirts, of course
Bruce Mowbray: excuse me, but I think it is.
Sylectra Darwin: Thanks Gaya :)
Sylectra Darwin: I'll put it away now.
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Paradise Tennant: smiles what a handsome boy :)
Sylectra Darwin: Sorry Steven!
stevenaia Michinaga: :)
Sylectra Darwin: hehe, a little personal there
stevenaia Michinaga: next time I will move after I send the invite
Gaya Ethaniel: rofl
Sylectra Darwin: My horsie was standing on you, so sorry
stevenaia Michinaga: http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS328US328&biw=1143&bih=774&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=barcelonia+pavillion&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=
stevenaia Michinaga: this is the other building
--BELL--
Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Shay :)
Shay Ellison: hello
stevenaia Michinaga: it was build for an exhibition and lost after they disassembled it, so the photos are of a recent re-creation
Paradise Tennant: hiya shay welcome :)
Gaya Ethaniel: When was it built?
Bruce Mowbray: Welcome, Shay.
Gaya Ethaniel: ah ... ok
Gaya Ethaniel: Shay, have you been here before?
stevenaia Michinaga: if I tell you you will not need to visit the exhibit
Shay Ellison: first time I think.
Gaya Ethaniel: Let me give you a notecard about the group then :)
Shay Ellison: I'm maxed out on groups, just thought you should know.
stevenaia Michinaga: we record our sessions and post them on the groups wiki, is it ok to include your comments?
Shay Ellison: sure, but today I'll likely just listen since it's my first time.
Gaya Ethaniel: np Shay :) We just do introductions to new visitors.
Shay Ellison: don't forget though, you can set up your own chat log to record conversations.
Shay Ellison: removing timestamps and all that.
Sylectra Darwin: So Steven, why were you sending us links of Barcelona architecture photos?
stevenaia Michinaga: thank you, and feel free to ask any questions you may have about us or what you read
stevenaia Michinaga: they are part of Adam's architecture exhibit (see my shirt)
Gaya Ethaniel: I asked him to tell us a bit more about buildings he is familiar with in Adams' new exhibition.
Sylectra Darwin zooms in on Stevie
stevenaia Michinaga: it's at the Museum of Sacred Art here
Sylectra Darwin: Cool to see you're helping with that project! I went through there and found the Falling Water sketches.
stevenaia Michinaga: (and architecture)
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
stevenaia Michinaga: no, Adams just turned me into a walking advertisement
stevenaia Michinaga: :)
Gaya Ethaniel: Is anyone living in Falling Water btw?
Gaya Ethaniel: I wouldn't feel very comfortable living over a running stream.
stevenaia Michinaga: no, it's open to the public
Gaya Ethaniel: ah ok
Bruce Mowbray: in Western Pennsylvania.
Sylectra Darwin: have you been there (stupid question)
Gaya Ethaniel: The list for my dream trip to America just gets longer and longer :)
Bruce Mowbray: I have not.
Sylectra Darwin: I haven't either.
Sylectra Darwin: Perhaps I should.
stevenaia Michinaga: actually no, we wee going to go last year but Hannah broke her ankle the week before
Sylectra Darwin: oh wow.
Sylectra Darwin: still need to do that!
Gaya Ethaniel: ack
Sylectra Darwin: not break your ankle, I mean
Paradise Tennant: nods lovely site .. with very nice .. art deco furniture inside went through a few years back now :)
stevenaia Michinaga: yes, she was doing extreme gardening
Paradise Tennant: all better now ?
stevenaia Michinaga: almost, takes quite a while for all the pain to disappear
Paradise Tennant: sorry .. arts and crafts ... furniture
Paradise Tennant: sleepy here
stevenaia Michinaga: lesson... do not break ankle
Paradise Tennant: nods makes a note
Gaya Ethaniel: Sounds lovely :)
stevenaia Michinaga: strange, Adams made the shirt no-copy so I cannot hand them out to everyone
stevenaia Michinaga: we would have all looked very cheery in yellow
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Paradise Tennant: smiles
Gaya Ethaniel: I went to see an Art Deco building recently, Eltham Palace.
Gaya Ethaniel: It was built onto a medieval palace ... it's a little 'strange' when one gets down to the medieval part.
Sylectra Darwin: i would have worn one. :)
Gaya Ethaniel: You know how it is when one visits historic places.
Gaya Ethaniel: worn?
stevenaia Michinaga: http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS328US328&biw=1143&bih=774&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=Eltham+Palace&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=
Gaya Ethaniel: Yes that one :)
Sylectra Darwin: I would have worn a yellow t shirt, if it had been copyable.
stevenaia Michinaga: is it rally that new?
stevenaia Michinaga: really
Gaya Ethaniel: ?
stevenaia Michinaga: is the building that new
stevenaia Michinaga: that it is art deco style or was it renovated last century
Gaya Ethaniel: Ah it was built in 30s so in the Deco period.
stevenaia Michinaga: Sylectra, Adams will have a shirt for you if you ask, I;m sure
Bruce Mowbray: King Edward IV - - - not sure when that was, though.
stevenaia Michinaga considers that relatively new, but it looks older
stevenaia Michinaga: and new at the same time
Gaya Ethaniel: But the site was originally a medieval palace and some parts are preserved. The Deco part backs onto the medieval banquet hall for example. And there are plenty of older parts in the garden, including an original wooden bridge to approach the palace.
Bruce Mowbray: 1442-1483 to be exact.
Paradise Tennant: wow
--BELL--
Bruce Mowbray: http://www.google.com/images?hl=&q=King+Edward+IV+--+UK&sourceid=navclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS328US328&ie=UTF-8&biw=997&bih=661
Sylectra Darwin: that's impressive
Shay Ellison: sorry all, need to run. RL situation needs my attention.
Shay Ellison: I'll log out elsewhere just in case I disturb a meeting in progress :D
stevenaia Michinaga: here is the landmark to the exhibit we are talking about shay
Gaya Ethaniel: Bye Shay :)
Bruce Mowbray: Bye, Shay. Hope you'll come back soon.
Paradise Tennant: good nite shay :)
Paradise Tennant: be well :)
stevenaia Michinaga: thanks for joining us and pls return, we meet every 6 hours here :)
Shay Ellison: thanks. I'm not much on architecture but I do have unique tastes in art. :D
Shay Ellison waves
Sylectra Darwin: waves
stevenaia Michinaga: I didn;t mean to monopolize this evening, anyone else have a topic?
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
stevenaia Michinaga: I am use to an empty wednesday session :), this is a treat
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Bruce Mowbray: I very much enjoyed listening -- and I learned a lot, too.
Gaya Ethaniel: Me too and we spread words about the exhibition :)
stevenaia Michinaga: I have the LM to the Museum if you can't find it
Bruce Mowbray: Can you slip me a LM to the museum, please, steve?
Paradise Tennant: smiles ?
Bruce Mowbray: Thanks!
Paradise Tennant: thanks
stevenaia Michinaga: it;s actually very close to the tavern
Paradise Tennant: well ..what does something .. like falling waters communicate ? what was his message ? why does is it strike such a cord ?
stevenaia Michinaga: moving through nice spaces can be very meditative
Sylectra Darwin: Falling Water is close to nature.
Paradise Tennant: yes
stevenaia Michinaga: some old you captivated, like falling water, other keep you moving in a flow, like the barcelonia pavilion
stevenaia Michinaga: some other's, rather
Paradise Tennant: yes
stevenaia Michinaga: it;s a very dynamic structure
stevenaia Michinaga: shifting planes of loves stone slabs
Gaya Ethaniel: Would you say good buildings enhance what's there already, distinctive energy or sense of the place?
stevenaia Michinaga: since it was intended as an exhibition pavilion, can;t have everyone standing around, can you
stevenaia Michinaga: yes, good ones can be very uplifting just as a "bad" space can be emotionally exhausting and depress your spirit
stevenaia Michinaga: or good ones can with the intend to be deeply moving
Paradise Tennant: yes
stevenaia Michinaga: thinks of the Vietnam memorial in Washington DC
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Sylectra Darwin: I got a book a while ago called Zen Design...loved the simple spaces shown in the pictures.
stevenaia Michinaga: http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS328US328&biw=1143&bih=774&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=vietnam+war+memorial&aq=4&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=vietnam+&gs_rfai=
Paradise Tennant: we are influenced touched by the space we occupy .. sort of a mutual .. interaction .. often think there is almost an imprint of memories in some places some spots seem to resonate with their past
stevenaia Michinaga: it seems to be able to affect one's "chi"
Gaya Ethaniel: There is something about seeing so many names of people passed away in a single place ...
Paradise Tennant: yes
stevenaia Michinaga: yes, a representation of a loss
stevenaia Michinaga: that holds great power especially when you stand before it, sunkin in the ground
Gaya Ethaniel nods. She is thankful of those who fought in Korean War, regardless of politics and results etc.
Paradise Tennant: nods
Paradise Tennant: wonders if you can surrender to a place like you can surrender to a moment or is it all just intertwined ...
--BELL--
Sylectra Darwin: I was reading about the Vietnam Memorial and how the names were listed chronologically, not alphabetically, so that they weren't depersonalized.
stevenaia Michinaga: so yes, spaces can cause a hugh variety of impacts on people in their skillful design
Paradise Tennant: by date they gave their lives ?
stevenaia Michinaga: yes Paradise
Paradise Tennant: wow
Gaya Ethaniel: I guess that's what good architecture does ... enable people to open up.
Paradise Tennant: yes nods
Paradise Tennant: thanks bruce
stevenaia Michinaga: thx bruce, this was one I have seen in RL
Bruce Mowbray: YW! I need to be going -- a big day tomorrow. Thanks, everyone.
Sylectra Darwin: thanks
stevenaia Michinaga: I will visit it w/ great interest
Sylectra Darwin: Well have a good day tomorrow!
Gaya Ethaniel: Time to hit the sack ... I enjoyed the discussion, thanks :)
Paradise Tennant: sweet dreams :)
Gaya Ethaniel: Good night!
stevenaia Michinaga: bye Bruce
Sylectra Darwin: Me too
Calvino Rabeni: I just noticed there's a new book out from Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche, called "Seeing the Beauty of Being", which focuses on Nature, with photographs. That sounds really interesting, and opening I think
Paradise Tennant: good nite .. gaya :)
Gaya Ethaniel: Sounds nice, thanks Calvino :)
Paradise Tennant: nite nite sylectra
Paradise Tennant: do you have a link cal ?
stevenaia Michinaga: night Sylectra
Calvino Rabeni: hmmm, sec
Calvino Rabeni: http://www.dharmapublishing.com/products/seeing-the-beauty-of-being
stevenaia Michinaga: thanks Cal
Calvino Rabeni: YW :)
Paradise Tennant: thanks cal :)
Paradise Tennant: smiles as she watches sylectra ride off into the sunset :)
Paradise Tennant: smiles at steve for the log ? do not think we have ever had a horse attend before :)
stevenaia Michinaga: I tool a group picture very similar to that Paradise, thanks
Paradise Tennant: so cal ..how would be best work on seeing the beauty of being :)
Paradise Tennant: nods ok :)
Calvino Rabeni: That's a wonderful question Paradise :)
Calvino Rabeni: Probably by learning to feel and respond to beauty in many forms, wherever it is :)
Calvino Rabeni: Learning to "see" with body / mind / soul
Calvino Rabeni: Clearing out distractions, things that make me feel dull or shut down
Calvino Rabeni: Maybe cultivating a sense of gratitude and excitement along with openness
Calvino Rabeni: That's a little about an emotional predisposition, but I think it can help
Paradise Tennant: smiles
Calvino Rabeni: I think normal things are beautiful most of the time, if just noticed and "seen"
Calvino Rabeni: Well, that's I guess how I approach it :)
stevenaia Michinaga: and sometime when they are not, I have a greater appreciation for gratitude
--BELL--
Calvino Rabeni: There's always something to be grateful for :)
Calvino Rabeni: Calvino Rabeni whispers sorry, I have to slip out during the break
Calvino Rabeni: bye and thanks :)
stevenaia Michinaga: I have a vague recollection of one of the exercises we did in Princeton where I was unmoved and at peace by the tornado around me
stevenaia Michinaga: I feel that way in RL now
Paradise Tennant: smiles nite cal
Paradise Tennant: nods at steve and cal .. a perfect way to be .. it sounds
Paradise Tennant: well steve .. I think I will saddle up too :)
stevenaia Michinaga: yes, nice to appreciate peace even more in a storm
stevenaia Michinaga: lol, ok
Paradise Tennant: yes indeed
Paradise Tennant: thank you for a great session :)
stevenaia Michinaga: thank you, bye now
Paradise Tennant: sweet dreams :)))