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26 posts tagged cool places
Dragan Todorovic: Sound of silence
What makes the Ancient theater of Epidaurus special is the renowned acoustics.
Scientists attribute this to several factors: the natural lime stone used in the construction of the theater which carries sound better than marble, the semi circular shape embedded in a hill which amplifies sound and the reflection from the visitors which, with 15.000 when full seemed to be just the right amount. Some still say, it’s simply a fortunate accident, but one can stand on the round platform or proscenium and even a whispered word can clearly be heard in the top tier of the seats.
Peter Lippman: Paradise Parking
American-born, Paris-based photographer Peter Lippman explores a world of stationary cars overtaken by nature in his series entitled Paradise Parking. This personal project that was two years in the making captures abandoned cars from yesteryear that are overwhelmed by roots and leaves from its surrounding natural environment. The vehicles’ rusty, tarnished finish coupled with nature’s swarming shades of green and brown wrapping its extended limbs around the cars makes for an interestingly post-apocalyptic scene.
When I first came across this series, I thought it looked eerily similar to underwater shots of sunken ships. Like the aquatic vessels covered in algae, these land vehicles are ravaged with moss, decaying and decomposing into its surroundings. These images also stand as great evidence of past civilizations. It’s beautifully fascinating to see the old models of automobiles naturally buried in foliage over time. read more
Simon Weller: South African Township Barbershops & Salon
Like so many underdeveloped places, South Africa’s townships (often written off by tourists as undesirable and dangerous) have long been rich sources of legendary music and culture. As explored in British photographer Simon Weller’s beautiful new book “South African Township Barbershops & Salons,” proprietors take great pride in designing their businesses, which function as much more than a place to get a haircut — in spite of their humble surroundings.
Signage alone speaks to a tradition of sign painting. Weller — with help from revered South African designer and book contributor Garth Walker — shows the effort put into personalizing salons, from the homemade graphics to a signature style of cut. read more
THE EAMES HOUSE & OFFICE
Part of the Case Study House Program of 1945–1966, the Eames House is situated on the perimeter of a wildly natural meadow perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Designed by Charles and Ray, the residence is a striking example of their architectural vision.
Said to be Japanese in influence, the house is a repeating pattern of a box, consisting of Mondrian-style colorful cubes. Divided in two—one pavilion is living space, the other side a studio —the structure was originally to be built across the meadow, cutting the grounds in half in a bridge layout, affording its occupants an ocean view. But Charles and Ray decided the natural beauty of the meadow, lined with fragrant eucalyptus trees, should not be disturbed. They set the home at the very edge of the property, against a descending wall of rock, so it gently overlooks the meadow grasses.
Unchanged since Ray’s death, the Eames House serves as a window to the artists’ sensibilities. An unwrapped present lies in a hallway—Ray would regularly find the paper and ribbon dressings of presents too striking to open. A small kitchen table is set as a tableau of blue pottery: small, delicate sculptures and three small vases with fresh flowers. In the living room, a cozy seating nook is brimming with objets d’art from all over the world.
EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED
The husband-and-wife team’s singular approach to living their design is what really stands out. Each area of modern life they touched—no matter how far afield—was infused with the same philosophy, rooted in an unwavering belief: Everything is connected, from the tiniest line of a pencil marking to the biggest splash of ocean to a falling star. Charles would say, “Eventually everything connects—people, ideas, objects, etc. … the quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.” read more
Julius Shulman: Case Study House #22 (Detail)
This iconic picture was shot by Julius Shulman, one of the foremost photographers of modernist architecture.
As a fan of architecture and photography it’s hard to ignore the tremendous influence Julius Shulman had on an entire era of design. His eye and his ability to capture iconic structures like Case Study House number 22 while conveying a whole lifestyle made him the go-to photographer for architects like Richard Neutra, Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Eames and others.
For 70 years Julius photographed modernist architecture in Southern California, helping document the movement happening in and around LA, drawing attention nationally with his striking images of the California Lifestyle.
Without the influence of Julius, the mid century aesthetic wouldn’t be half what it was then or what it is today. read more
Finca Bellavista, Costa Rica:
Their morning commute is better than mine…
How does this sound for awesome?
“You won’t find billboards or roadside signs that lead you to Finca Bellavista. We are not a full-service spa or a fancy hotel. You won’t find TVs in our cabinas, or electricity yet in most structures (our community center and one treehouse currently have limited solar-powered electricity). What you will find is a rustic, yet comfortable retreat from the outside world to explore and enjoy on your own. We are in our infancy as a project, therefore, there is always work being done, which can be noisy during work days (currently Tuesday through Saturday).
We prefer not to give direct directions to Finca Bellavista due to the unique nature of our project. We DO NOT have the human resources to handle drop-in or unscheduled visitors, so we ask that your party please contact us by email prior to making plans to visit. We will forward directions to your party upon making a reservation. Also, GPS and navigation systems DO NOT work in this area.
We recommend 4-wheel drive on the gravel road to the finca and ask that you please plan on arriving to the finca before dark (which comes early year-round in Costa Rica). The InterAmericana Highway is speckled with potholes after rainy season, and makes for dangerous travel. Also, arriving to the finca after dark can be problematic depending on where you are staying. The hike to a treehouse, for example, can be slippery, and is best negotiated during daytime hours. We CANNOT accommodate arrivals to the treehouses after dark, period.” read more
