ich Kalliope

I Heart Julia

    

If you haven't seen Julie & Julia starring Meryl Streep as the French Chef Julia Child... go, go, go!  It is an absolutely uplifting movie, that left me in love with Julia.  I never knew much about her as an occasional viewer of her show in the 80's, but after seeing the movie, I'm wondering if one can become a groupie after someone has passed.

The movie made me laugh and cry, and I found similarities with Julia that I never new existed.  The obvious passion for Europe and eating.  A loving, wonderful marriage, stronger because of a struggle that needed few words in the movie.  Not to mention a love of butter.

Of course, played by the incredible Meryl Streep, who literally makes you forget you're not watching the real thing, I am running out tomorrow to buy her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  

With three nights planned in Paris over the New Years holiday this year, and heading into fall, the timing couldn't be better to get obsessed with Julia!

798 Art District Beijing

Traveling is a great joy of mine, and lately my wings have been "clipped" a bit.  Not complaining, you know the economy and all... it's happening to all of us. 

Well, actually, I am complaining.  I miss it, and look forward to having my passport in hand, and taking off a little more often over the next few months. 

Visiting new places, is a source of inspiration for me.  It's the well I go back to when the creative juices are running on reserve. Camera in hand, capturing memories, and composing stories as they present themselves to me is a passion.  And if I've learned anything in this half-century on this planet and especially over the last few months, following your passion shouldn't be optional.

In May, I joined my husband in China for ten days.  Our last stop before leaving Beijing, and the long flight home was the Art District 798.  A former industrial factory complex built in the 1950's, designed by a team of East German architects in the Bauhaus style, this once abandoned zone is now home to hundreds of artists, galleries and cafe's.  We only had a couple of hours to spend, and just scratched the surface of the creative energy that was running through this most unexpected of places.  It will be our first stop when we return to Beijing. 

I'm not sure how long it will stay in this pure state, it maybe shifting already... think SoHo in NYC.  It was one of, if not the only place we visited in China where people were not trying to sell us things.  The art was fabulous, beautiful, edgy, controversial, variety and anything but traditional.  The pure fact that this place exists in China's capital is cause for optimism.  Love 798 and can't wait to return!

Glass Act

Realizing that I had not posted for many weeks, I guess I officially took time off from blogging.  Plain and simple, it's been a bit of a lull period, where nothing compelling or not-so-compelling or even a bit compelling bubbled up as it normally does.  It happens.  I hope I'm back!

 

This morning leafing through the latest issue of Sunset magazine I saw a photo featuring the current exhibition at the Desert Botanical Museum in Phoenix, "The Nature of Glass" by Dale Chihuly.  I am a big fan of this glass artist, extraordinaire.  I am also a big fan of the desert.  Especially during spring.  This Kalliope's allergies and Portland are at odds.  Not to mention sun deprivation, rusting instead of tanning, and all the other symptoms that arise in early April, let's say it makes for a love-hate relationship with my current hometown!

Many years ago, my husband, my dear in-laws and I spent an afternoon in the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens, and I loved it, in spite of 105 degree plus temperatures, in the middle of summer and fear of heat stroke!  So be still my heart when I saw the images of Chihuly glass, throughout the gardens.  The exhibition runs until May 31st, and I think it may be worth a trip to the desert to experience this once in a lifetime matching of pure beauty and inspiration.  Wow. 

  

   

     

SooooooooHo Lovely

This amazing loft was featured in the NY Times this past week.  I find it absolutely amazing, livable, and could imagine moving in, in a New York minute!  A few details may slow my move down, like the price tag, $6.9 million pre-renovation, and 7,200 square feet... I'm into smaller spaces these days.  But there is much inspiration to be had in this beautiful space designed and inhabited by architect Natalya Kashper, partner in DUB Studios, and her family. 

The woods create a warmth that is glowing and natural.  I can just picture it filled with friends and family, cooking, drinking, and with a corner big enough to practice tap dancing.  Heck, could be a tap studio.

Ultra-modern yes, with a high-dose of cozy.  I could call this place home.  Agree?

Buttoned Up

I'm trying to better organize my closet, straighten it up a bit, get rid of some things, maybe to make way for a few new things, you know, for the new year.  On one of the top shelves, there's a box where I place buttons.  Primarily the extra button or two you get with a new purchase... I guess I never lose buttons cause I've got a couple small boxes - full.  What do you do with all the extra buttons?  Here's an idea, color studies, sewn onto fabric, by Multistorey.

One last footnote on the subject of buttons.  The famous Munich department store, and a special favorite of mine, Ludwig Beck am Rathauseck has it's own special haberdashery, with the most amazing selection of buttons and trims I have ever seen.  When I lived in Munich, it was a favorite stop to just look, and buy, it's a magical place.

 

FALLing for it

       

   

I've been holding on to every ounce of summer possible, for as long as possible.  Can you blame me?  Sabbatical, endless sunshine, Greece, connections, hot and dry weather for as long as I choose to remember.  Flip-flops only, great books, great times, great memories.  I've been holding on a little longer than normal. 

No I'm not walking around in late October, in the Pacific Northwest in sandals and sleeveless dresses... that ended in early October.  But I did press the pause button, and tried not to think of the impending Fall, leading to Winter.  That ended officially this weekend.  Fall has always been my favorite season, and I'm sorry for trying to ignore it for so long.  I'm sorry Fall!

I took my camera out this morning to capture the color that is surrounding me.  You might ask how I could have ignored the season with such glorious reminders all around me.  Beautiful.  As good as New England, this year... well almost.

It's time to cook indoors again, taking a break from the grill and Greek salads we have enjoyed for the past months.  Our friend and neighbor invited us for dinner Sunday evening, and if there was any question that Fall is not to be ignored, the meal made it official.

This is how we do Fall in my neighborhood!

_Butternut Squash and Green Apple Soup, spiced with cinnamon and sage
_Pan roasted vegetables, red potatoes, brussel sprouts, carrots and onions with fresh rosemary
_Pork tenderloin with a sauce of raisins soaked in red wine
_Green salad, with fresh orange slices, onion, walnuts and gorgonzola
_Pumpkin pie, with fresh whipped cream

   
 

Potential Disorder

Shopping yesterday, I landed in the back-to-school aisle.  It's pretty incredible how the smell of #2 pencils, and the sight of notebook paper can spark memories and inspire me to think of new starts and all the potential of a new year.  For me, the year begins in September.  Following the gift of a wonderful summer, restful and energizing, I was always optimistic about the new school year.  Fueled in large part by my addiction to back-to-school supplies, and the promise of staying organized. 

I believe those supplies were the main source of the much needed push I required to go back-to-school.  You see, I liked it at home, still do. There's an official diagnosis for it now, Separation Anxiety Disorder:

"Separation anxiety is a psychological condition in which an individual has excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment ..."

Hmmm.  No, my husband doesn't have to "negotiate" me out the front door every morning, like my poor mom used to have to do... but I may still have this disorder.  Or it could be, that I just had an absolutely fabulous summer and it's hard to think about the long, hot days of summer ending... until next year. 

It got me thinking, what are my "school supplies" these days?  What are my current equivalents to pink erasers, bluecloth 3-ring binders, Bic pens and a new pencil pouch that will help me out the door?  What is my ritual that prepares me for the year ahead.  Fueled by a six-week sabbatical, I have some supplies in mind, they come in the form of aspirations and goals these days. 

But I am in the market for a new plaid skirt, and have a brand-new gold trimmed Hello Kitty pencil pouch in my bag! 

Hanging Gardens

As more of us move back into the cities, we are left without our gardens and yards.  That's ok by me.  But as space gets more condensed, and surfaces of healthy, sustainable architecture remain a bit hard, the landscaping in these urban environments are an important element to consider.  So consider this by landscape designers Mia Lehrer and Holly Kuwayama, hanging a garden of succulents. 

Live Art featured in the July/August 2008 of Metropolitan Home is a beautifully innovative solution to bringing a new type of garden to our urban spaces.  The choice of succulents makes this hanging garden lightweight, as they don't need a lot of water, and have shallow roots so they grow in very little soil.  Here in the Pacific Northwest, succulents like sedum grow with abandon.  And the colors, varieties and shapes are to die for. Planting this would be like painting a picture with greens, yellows and burgundies.

     

The perfect solution as we try to live a bit lighter on the land.  Take up less space, and build right.  As presented in the work of designer Bruce Mau in Massive Change, "the future of cities is vertical". 

Gardens too.

Groove More, Sit Less

We went to see Earth, Wind & Fire at the Clark County Amphitheater up in Ridgefield, Washington last night.  The concert was fantastic!  On our feet the entire time, dancing to what has to be some of the best music ever written.  The kind of music that makes me completely, and utterly happy.  I grew up with an Earth, Wind & Fire soundtrack playing in the background of my high school and university years, so the connection was deep rooted and it was easy to get right back into that space where good music, good friends and great dancing was all you needed. 

A quick glimpse around me, made me realize I wasn't in Chicago.  Not that I'm commenting negatively on the quality of the dancing in Clark County, Washington  - yeah, well, actually I am.  

It could not have been a more perfect start to sabbatical, a beautiful summer evening, with my husband, sharing a couple of beers, dancing to Earth, Wind and Fire!  I am reminded of the joy that dancing has brought me for many years of my life, and realizing that I need to dance more.  Especially now. 

Sabbatical...

... from the Greek word sabbatikos, σαββατικόσ, of course! 

I am lucky to have a sabbatical this year!  Good thing, I need it, and dare I say I deserve it.  Yes... I said it, I deserve it.  Dictionary.com defines sabbatical as bringing a period of rest, yes sweet underrated rest.  It also defines it as an extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest (there's that rest thing again!), to acquire new skills or training. 

Hoping to do both during the warm, sunny days of summer - starting today.  My expectations are high, but that's most likely cause I'm still a bit wound up from the day-to-day, and just about as excited as I can remember.  Stay tuned, as I get rested and acquire new skills, many (not all) which I will share here over the next six, yes 6 weeks! 

Industrial Beauties

I am fascinated with industrial details, machines, tools and castings.  I've been inspired by sewer plates around the world.  Here's two that I discovered, one in Tokyo, the other at a construction zone in my neighborhood.  Interesting that they both use similar colors.  Decoding these maybe something that I put on my list of things I want to do when I'm retired.  Any hints out there?   

Authentic Fakes

Check out this climbing wall at the Illoiha Fitness Center in the very cool Omotesando district of Tokyo.  If you're going to do fake, why not make it authentic.  All those fake rock climbing walls, that try so hard to look real.  This one is honest, humorous and takes a wall to entirely new heights.  Here you'll find all the things you expect to find on indoor walls, picture frames, shelves, vases, mirrors, deer heads and antlers. 

Does it help with fear of heights? 

Can it be?

I spotted this beauty on a walk here in the Pacific Northwest a few days ago!  Signs of spring.  Can it be?  Let's not get ahead ourselves.  It's still January, with lows in the low 20's predicted this week.  But isn't this beautiful?  The magic of this part of the country.  Sigh.

Eat your Veggies

I love vegetables.  I don't eat them nearly enough, especially in the quantity that "they" recommend.  What is it now, 5-8 servings a day?  I do believe I would eat more if they were on display like these that I saw at the Nishiki Market in Kyoto.  An absolutely amazing place.  Senses go into absolute overdrive.  Visually stimulating, not to mention the best donuts (soy donuts) I've ever had.  Doesn't that make them practically a vegetable? 1 serving down, 7 to go!

An Apple a Day

Aren't these just fabulous?  And to think there's a nice, healthy apple inside.  Found these at a candy store in Seattle on 1st near the Public Market.  The red candy ones are my favorite.  They remind me of the ones my uncle used to make and sell from his popcorn wagon on Hollywood Beach, Florida.  Yum!

Emotional Connection

 

Pretty heady title to this post, that simply describes my reaction to the photos my husband took yesterday of our sweet vintage Porsche 914-6 in it's storage garage.  It's an equation made up of many of my obsessions.

Car + Color + Compostion = Connection

4 C's, C4... hmmmmmmm?

New Perspectives

Last night my husband and I went to hear a special lecture titled "The Eye of the Artist".  The speaker was Dr. James Ravin, an opthamologist and co-auther of the book by the same name.  The topic was fascinating as it showed how eye disease, affected some of the great artists, like Monet, Cassatt, Degas and O'Keeffe and what they painted.  In particular, Dr. Ravin spent much time researching Claude Monet, whose cataracts were operated in 1923, three years before his death, and how visual acquity and color perception greatly effected his work prior to and post-surgery.  His color perception shifted dramatically throughout his life.  You can see it in his work, but until last night, I thought it was Monet's choice.  The fact is, he was painting what he saw. 

                           
Monet circa. 1900: Japanese Bridge at Giverny (pre-cataracts)

Monet circa. 1920: Japanese Bridge at Giverny (with cataracts)

The close connection between art and the visual sciences intrigues me now, as I had never made a connection that the artists quality of vision would affect their painting.  It makes perfect sense now after hearing Dr. Ravin speak. 

The lecture brochure posed a question, "Were the bold brush strokes on Monet's Water Lilies a result of cataracts?".

Monet: Waterlilies 1920-1926

My Kind of Town

Chicago is, my kind of town.  It really is the most beautiful city in the United States.  With it's long-standing commitment to stunning, adventurous and future-thinking architecture.  It's prime setting directly on Lake Michigan and with it's wide streets that invite you to take it all in, Chicago is spectacular.  Especially if you are there on a day with not a cloud in the sky, and visiting Millenium Park, like we were last weekend. 

I was especially excited to see the "Big Chrome Bean", the sculpture by Anish Kapoor, officially titled Cloud Gate.  As spectacular and beautiful as it looked in photographs, it was many-times more spectacular and beautiful in person.  Sometimes when you look so forward to seeing something, it tends to be a bit of disappointment.  Like what do Dieter Rams, a Formula 1 race, the Eagles and Bozo's Circus all have in common?  Cloud Gate and the entire Millenium Park did not disappoint. 

From the incredible Frank Gehry designed Concert Pavillion, to Crown Fountain which we somehow missed... probably 'cause I could not pull myself away from that big dang bean, Millenium Park and Cloud Gate is quintessential Chicago.  Modern, provacative and approachable.

I heart Chicago.

Inspire Greatness

My husband and I volunteered as team leaders today at a Special Olympics event.  It was truly one of the most enriching, enlightening and joyful things I have done in my life.  We were blessed with four wonderful children today, who we guided throughout their track and field events.  Whose parents trusted their children with two complete strangers, for more than 6 hours.  I cannot thank them enough for this experience.

As someone who has struggled with incredible sorrow everytime I see a child who is disabled, I made it my personal goal to find something that would bring me closer to these children in a way that would help me understand their world.  And more importantly, and hopefully, bring me to a place of peace that their lives albeit different than mine and most, were full and happy.  I have to admit it, I was nervous. 

The day started with some warmup activities, and a reciting of the Special Olympics oath:

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Yes, let me brave in the attempt. 

What I learned today, is how pure the entire concept of Special Olympics is.  And how pure, trusting and courageous the young athletes are in their attempt to do their best for themselves and their team.  Against all odds, these kids never stopped smiling, running, jumping, throwing, hugging, sharing, listening, trying, cheering and competing. They inspire greatness.

I know this day was about giving these wonderful children new experiences, but this day turned out to be an incredible experience for me too.  It has brought me peace but also resolve to commit to this amazing organization.

I am so very grateful for this day, to Special Olympics and especially to Team 20!
 

Bunny Hop

My friend Birdie blogged a few days ago about Easter Rabbits and the icons of Easter.  Of course, coming from a Greek family, icons of Easter conjure up some other visuals for me, but I like those of which Birdie speaks too.  Here are a few snaps I took at Easter time last year in Munich.  The decorations go from the simple, to the modern to the classical.  These icons are of the bunny and egg sort, with a few very cute hens thrown in.

 

Setting the record straight

One of my favorite peeps set the record straight on her favorite Peeps.  I think she's right.  They are a wonder to behold!

 

Rooting

Another interesting coincidence, or is it a deep rooted design conspiracy?  Things that make you go hmmmmm. 

 

My favorite is the Hidden Vase (photo with chartreuse orchids).  It's very expensive, because this type of form is only realized using a technology called stereolithography, or 3D Printing.  Used primarily over the years for rapid prototyping, these amazing objects are now finding their way into real products. 

The rest are pretty simple, porcelain, plastic and felt.  Wonder what other inspiration has been hiding underground?

Wallpaper City Guides

I love to travel, and I'm lucky to do a fair amount of it for business and personally.  More personal travel is a goal, and so for Christmas this year I bought the Wallpaper Travel Guides for my husband and me.  These amazing little books are visually beautiful, and filled with all that makes Wallpaper magazine one of my favorites - they sit on a shelf in our home, right beside a beautiful globe, and they remind us of the places we've been and the places we still want to visit - together.

The current set includes 20 fabulous cities, and this year the publisher Phaidon will issue 40 more.  Easy to schlepp-a-long on a trip, or to offer a little escape sitting on your sofa in January in front of a fire.  Today I'm going back to Barcelona.  Adios!

Blau Weiss

Der blau weisse Bayerische Himmel, the blue white Bavarian Sky.  I snapped this picture standing on one of my favorite streets in the world, Residenzstrasse in Munich. 

To get this view, stand on the Residenzstrasse with your back to the Spatenhaus an der Oper looking towards the Maximilianstrasse, or as we call it "Spend-a-millionstrasse".  And voila!  This must be exactly where the designer of the Bavarian flag was standing when he landed his concept.  Rumor has it the blue white Bavarian sky was the inspiration. 

The sky must have looked just like this on that day.

Cover Girl

As you have probably noticed from my blog, I love all things visual.  I even fancy myself quite the photographer! 

I have a running joke with my friend Kitty.  Whenever I take an exceptionally good photo, (which is quite often I might add) I say "Hello cover of Car and Driver" if it's a car photo, or "Hello cover of Architectural Digest" if it's a building (we think it's absolutely hilarious).  So I am very excited that I figured out how to use flickr and connect it to my blog. 

In the left column you will see a link to Kalliope's Photos.  Over time I hope it becomes an archive of my photographs that deepens some of the topics I blog about.  I heart flickr!

Oh and by the way, check this photo out.  If there were a magazine just for pillows...   you get the picture!

Fading fast

     
I find these Ghost Billboards on old buildings so fascinating.  From another time, at one point important enough to dress a building with it from head to toe.  These are taken in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon.  A area of urban renewal, where some are now part of the new landscape and others are fading fast.  I love it when a new window, or modern detail is introduced into the graphic.

Tate Slides

The Tate Modern museum in London has a current installation in its' massive turbine hall by Carsten Hoeller, until April 2007.  It is so impressive, inspirational and interactive.  Museums in Europe never cease to amaze me as places where one sees people of all ages, enjoying art.  What I love the most is the pure nature of being surrounded by art.  Whether old or new, the exposure cannot help but feed the soul. 

What the Tate Slides do really well is engage, the spectator and the participant.  Visually and physically, not to mention the screams of delight to those brave enough to take the slide from the 5th floor of this massive building.  Kind of like the inner scream of delight I experienced when discovering a collection of Mark Rothko paintings that I had never, ever seen on the third floor. 

This was my first visit to the Tate Modern, what took me so long???  Another reason to love London even more!

     

Looking up

We spend so much time looking straight ahead, or down at the ground when we walk around.  I never quite understood what people saw in hiking, the beautiful scenery provided by nature I suppose.  I need to spend most of my time looking down so that I don't trip on things, no time to look up.  On the other hand when walking through cities, especially historical places, there are visual gifts waiting for you if you look up.  The two buildings in Madrid prove that to be true.

Natural Beauty

I had a wonderful trip to Europe, lots of design inspiration.  I get so inspired by walking down the street and looking at the level of thoughtfulness and design sense of the most simple window displays, this one was in Madrid.

 

"Do you remember...

the 21st night of September..." one of my favorite Earth, Wind & Fire songs. September is my favorite month.  I love the weather, I met my husband in September, it's all about new beginnings, the colors are absolutely gorgeous, and it's time to start cooking indoors again.

So it wasn't the 21st, but close enough, look what our friend brought us last evening from the local farmer's market!  And how about that presentation?  Need I say more about all that's right in September.  So "ba de ya - dancing in September... ba de ya..."

Simple surprises

During a recent visit to Boston, I made it a point to visit some of the newer buildings I had read about on the MIT campus across the Charles in Cambridge.  Definitely worth the visit!  The Stata Center by Frank Gehry gets a lot of publicity, and was on the top of my list.  However it was not my favorite. 

The most inspiring was Simmons Hall, by architect Steven Holl. 

The surprise use of color, in a most primary sense, made for a building that was engaging.  In the same spirit as the DeYoung Museum I wrote about earlier, it drew you closer.  The opposite of Gehry's Stata Center which forced you to keep your distance to digest.  The use of color on architecture can be a risk, but when done right like on the Simmons Hall dormitory, can add to the natural landscape. 

 

 

Design with Care

As I watched a program on TLC about a family who faced unimaginable medical challenges with their child, I couldn't help but take note of the architecture and design of Miami Children's Hospital where their child was facing ongoing surgeries and procedures.  As a designer, I tend to evaluate the visual a little too much, as I did when considering the design of this hospital.  My first impression was how welcoming this hospital must be for the child.  The colors, the scale, the forms all spoke to the most important person who entered it's doors. 

Then the critic in me kicked in... is it too "Disney"?...does it try to take a serious place and make it into something that it 's not?...how will it age overtime?...is it too "South Beach"?  It might be a little of all of this, but ultimately it's a step in the right direction.  It is a hospital in Miami, it takes it's inspiration from the architecture and the landscape of southern Florida.  It is true to it's environment.  Would it fit in Chicago?  Probably not.  But imagine a hospital inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture there, and Richard Neutra in Southern California. 

I know that nothing can really lighten what is going on inside these buildings of care.  I have never had to experience what the parent or child goes through under these circumstances.  I have close friends who have, and I don't think there is anything more difficult.  Will the design of the building, the colors of the interiors really help?  Certainly not under all circumstances, but in many it just may help make a scary situation for a little child, a little better. 

Why not?  Consider the alternative Clinic Decor.   

Timeless Classics - Neutra Architecture

On a recent trip to Palm Springs, California, we searched out the Kaufmann House designed by Richard Neutra in 1946.  Pretty spectacular, and aging gracefully as a "baby boomer" should.  As the first of the baby boom generation turns 60 today, this house too turns 60 years old this year.  Timeless, modern and classic. 

   

As recently as 2002, the Maslon House, designed by Neutra in 1962 was demolished in Rancho Mirage, CA.  Certainly to make way for the owners dream of a "Castle Wannabe".  Protection is needed for these mid-century masterpieces.

Samuel and Luella Maslon House
Photo: 2002 David Glomb

Future Understood - the de Young Museum

I had the opportunity to visit the new de Young Museum in San Francisco, located in the Golden Gate Park, www.deyoungmuseum.org.  Designed by the Swiss architecture firm, Herzog & de Meuron, the de Young is a true vision of the future.

The architects used simple repetitive patterns, textures and color with natural forms made possible only by state-of-the art technology.  In my opinion, the building is one of the most beautiful and relevant expressions of the melding of man-made and nature, where the building actually adds to nature's setting.  Simple really, as you approach from a distance and get closer here's how I describe it -  copper, twist, circles, perfed, embossed, debossed, coded, outside in. 

Attention paid to every detail it's conception and execution makes it so easy to take in.  Future understood.