Monday, October 31, 2011

Not Your Typical Scary Photo...

IMG_2007 by lc_db

Being Halloween I thought it might be fun to post something scary.

I don't know about you, but I would be scared to walk through this canyon of newly constructed pallets as seen on the lot of the Coastal Crating Co.

I hope your trick or treating takes you on a safer path.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Backed Against the Wall

IMG_1907 by lc_db

Located in the Cullen Sculpture Garden is this collection of Henri Matisse works. Back I, Back II, Back III and Back IV date between 1909 to 1930 and are aligned side by side by side by side.

Friday, October 28, 2011

A First for Everything

IMG_1970 by lc_db

The statue honoring Dick Dowling was Houston’s first piece of Public Art, originally dedicated in 1905. At first it was located on Market Square, at the time the city’s hub of commerce. Now the eight-foot tall Italian marble stature stands on top of a twenty-foot tall granite base in the esplanade leading into Hermann Park on near the intersection of Holcombe and North MacGregor.

Dick Dowling was a Civil War commander and is considered to be one of Houston’s first prominent citizens. Already a prominent figure before the war, as he owned several saloons and was instrumental in forming Houston’s first gas light company AND fire department, Dowling was the commander that led the Texas-based artillery unit that thwarted the only Union invasion attempt of Texas at Sabine Pass.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

If It Appears...

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That I seem lazy...

well...

maybe you have a point.

I promise... this is the last of the "Tolerance" images featured the last two days. THIS one gets you up close and personal.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Getting Closer

IMG_1227 by lc_db

In case you were wondering, here is a closer view of one of the figures in Jaume Plensa’s “Tolerance” that was featured yesterday.

You can see a bit more clearly the different characters that make up the sculpture.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Letters of the Day

IMG_1220 by lc_db

One of the more recent additions to Houston's public art collection is Jaume Plensa’s “Tolerance” located near Harmony Walk on Buffalo Bayou.

The Houston Arts Alliance commissioned the sculptor from Barcelona; who developed the kneeling human figures, composed of multi-lingual melded metal letters.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Picture Framed

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A very limited view of the lovely Town Green Park in The Woodlands through a framed space in its brick entry.

There is MUCH more than meets the eye.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Meet Me At the Plaza

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An interesting perspective of the outside entry plaza of downtown's Heritage Plaza. For more on the building, see my original post HERE and maybe HERE, too.

Friday, October 21, 2011

It's Friday...

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Ring that bell!!

Although not typically used to ring in the weekend (I don't think), this bell is found at the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple and has a more specific purpose.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Fruits of Labor...

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A joint effort of Wheatley High School students and the Museum of Cultural Arts Houston, “Fruits of the Fifth Ward” is a mural depicting 21 notable people that are either natives or in some other way connected to the Fifth Ward area. Dedicated in 2006 it is located near Crawford Elementary.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Friendly Skies

IMG_1879 by lc_db

The Wings Over Houston Air Show was this past weekend and while I was unable to attend, I give you this image of a retired F-4C Phantom jet which currently resides at the American Legion Post 560 in the Garden Oaks area of town.

Monday, October 17, 2011

All Roads Lead To…

IMG_1894 by lc_db

Earlier in the year, the Museum of Fine Arts collaborated with Carlos Cruz-Diez to sponsor his “Color in Space and Time”. Part of that exhibit that still remains is his “Addicted Color Crosswalks” that seems to lead into the new Tut exhibit.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Enter Here...

IMG_1944 by lc_db

As promised, this is a view of the original courtyard of the first Hermann Hospital. I am so glad they chose to save it, as well as, the building's facade. No longer the main entrance it is now the Cullen Pavilion of the larger facility in the Texas Medical Center.

Unfortunately, the fountain wasn't working, but that didn't take away from the beauty of courtyard. Now covered by skylights, there are tables and chairs on either side of the entryway (not seen) for people to enjoy a meal or just get away for a bit.

I know I would.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Hermann Hospital

IMG_1940 by lc_db

Hermann Hospital is now associated with the Memorial Heathcare System and forms the city’s largest not-for-profit hospital system. This is its original façade, built in 1925 and restored in the late 80s. Through these doors led to a beautifully Spanish influenced open-air courtyard that is now a skylight enclosed gathering area.

Want to see that courtyard? Well… tune in tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Pachyderm Lite

IMG_1953 by lc_db

Today’s image was chosen to celebrate the recent opening of The Houston Zoo’s newly renovated McNair Asian Elephant Habitat. Read the details HERE.

Unfortunately, this sculpture by Robert Fowler is of an African elephant. Oops.

Located at the Zoo’s West Entrance, the life sized steel sculpture weighs five tons and was donated to the Zoo by Isabell and Max Herzstein in 1982.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Mirror, Mirror...

IMG_1903 by lc_db

A new addition to the Cullen Sculpture Garden is Dan Graham’s piece aptly entitled “Triangular Solid with Circular Inserts, Variation F”. This collection of two way mirrored glass, polished stainless steel and aluminum is quite the optic pleasure.

I like it.

A lot.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Take A Left At Bermuda

IMG_0848 by lc_db

Located in Bell Park on Montrose in Houston’s Neartown, this six foot tall replica of Christopher Columbus caused quite the stir when it was originally donated to the city in 1991 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of his arrival in the Americas.

Where is Chris pointed you ask? Why… towards the Italian Cultural Center, who, in conjunction with the Federation of Italian-American Organization, commissioned its creation.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Tut Is Coming! Tut Is Coming!

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Advertising the upcoming King Tutankhamun exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts is this 25-foot, seven-ton replica of Anubis.

The traveling show opens this coming week.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

That Time of Year Again

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When the downtown area near City Hall and Sam Houston Park is invaded by the annual Bayou City Arts Festival.
Art, food, drink and music is available for your enjoyment.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Water Makes the Sphere Go Round

IMG_1920 by lc_db

Houston is the home to two of Josef Kusser designed Kugel Balls, one at the Museum of Natural Science and this one in Hermann Park. The 3-ton sphere of polished flamingo red granite sits perfectly balanced and floats and spins on a thin film of water, without belts, pulleys or wheels.

Art and physics combined.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Brightening Everyone's Day

IMG_1741 by lc_db

This is the Third Ward home of Cleveland Turner, affectionately known as The Flower Man. Turning his life around and then his home into a public art display, he has become something of a local folk hero. You can read his whole story HERE.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Rawr!!

IMG_9983 by lc_db

Welcoming one to the Cullen Building on the campus of the University of Houston is this bronze (one of two actually) of the school's mascot.

Looks like it means business.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Who's the Leader of Our Club?

IMG_1819 by lc_db

In this case it's Claes Oldenburg's "Geometric Mouse, Scale X" located in front of the Central Library. Over 20' tall, this painted steel sculpture was the first piece of public art in downtown Houston.

Monday, October 3, 2011

$5 Please

IMG_0667 by lc_db

Inspired by the canal houses of The Netherlands, the gables of the Bank of America Center combine with the reddish hue of its Swedish granite making it one of downtown’s most noticeable structures. 56-stories tall and completed in 1983 it was built in the classic 1920’s style of skyscraper.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

October Theme Day - Mystery Item

IMG_1747 by lc_db

This month's theme for the City Daily Photo community is Mystery Item.

I know what this is, but few who see this or even those that drive by might not. This multi-colored collection of 40 eyes on various styled columns is the work of artist Bert L. Long, Jr. Situated in a once vacant lot in the city’s Third Ward, “Field of Vision” is a Project Row Houses sponsored work as part of their Street Scaping Public Arts Project.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants