JKR takes a field trip to the Museum of Art

opening up the great stair hall

checking out a serious rendering

Ten of us took a little field trip over to the Museum of Art to check out the new Frank Gehry exhibit Making a Modern Classic on view til September 1st.  The anticipation has been growing over some of Frank Gehry's new proposed designs which would cut a large chunk out of the iconic stairs.  We waded through the exhibit, passing through gigantic sectional models and proposed courtyard cutouts. Overall, I think our crew was impressed with his schemes.  We talked it over afterward over some drinks in the new pop up garden at the Oval and took a vote.  The verdict is out: we had three votes for the proposed cut out, and six votes against the cut out, and one member abstaining for no known reason. We all pretty much agreed that all the other plans should definitely be done.

view under the main courtyard

gigantic sectional model

post game deliberations

 

North 28th gets new Art Piece

Our North 28th project at, you guessed it North 28th Street, in Brewerytown got a sweet new art installation by noted artist Stephen Powers. You may recognize his work riding along the Market Frankford El trains. He did all the Philly love letters. I'm not sure what this particular piece is about, but it looks to me like it's some sort of engagement. Guy on one knee with a pizza? Or is that an abstract diamond? Either way, it's still pretty cool.

Street Art

texting lanes

right in line

I'm not saying this is the best street art or anything, but I thought it was pretty clever.  Walking outside the Municipal Services Building, I didn't have to wait long (or at all for that matter) to catch the first person using the appropriate texting lane.

Zaha Hadid @ the Perelman

Izzo Here: I've been wanting to go to this exhibit since it was announced that Zaha was going to be in town, and this weekend I finally made some time to go.  I can't say I am an uber fan of Zaha, but you gotta respect her as a designer; She's got it going on.  The exhibit at the Perelman wasn't really that great though. It felt like you walked into the space, and five minutes later you saw everything they had in the exhibit. I will say the light fixtures and the table in the foreground were pretty cool.  If you get a chance to go to the Art Museum though, the Zoe Strauss exhibit is really cool. 

Floor, Ship and Saw.

Philadelphia’s hottest new art exhibit is right here at JKR in the downstairs lobby! Our gallery space is perfect for the contemplative gazing of art, providing a neutral color palette and unimposing lighting. Each month we will be featuring the cream of the crop artists and their masterworks. This November don’t miss the opportunity to see three absolutely stunning art pieces currently on display: Floor by Natalya Maltseva, Ship by Steve Sergi and Saw by Mike Izzo. Admission is free.     

Art by Architects exhibition at The Center for Architecture

Izzo Here: The Philadelphia Chapter of The American Institute of Architects has chosen 5 of my drawings to include in their annual Art by Architects exhibition at the Center for Architecture.  The exhibition includes work from 38 local architects and runs from Sunday through November 19th with the opening party on Thursday the 27th from 5-7pm.  There should be some good stuff there.  Hope to see you all on the 27th!

Cream of Mushroom

Innovations in the “green” industry can be amusing. Like the new insulation material made of mushrooms, a sample of which we happen to have in the office. It’s made by injecting the mushroom spores into a mixture of insulating particles. The mushrooms then grow by consuming the mixture and forming a tight network solidifying the material. It’s said to be fireproof. 

Having found no use for it here, the sample is passing as a contemporary art piece and is currently on display in SW corner of the office.

Second Saturday Art Show...Revisited

Paul Here: My wife Maria and I payed another visit to Yogawood in Collingswood, NJ this past weekend to support Keith Johnson, a co-worker of Maria's at Kitchen and Associates. Keith displayed photography from various trips including destinations in Europe, Puerto Rico, and western United States. Keith's display was part of Collingswood's "Second Saturday" arts and entertainment event and continues the tradition of Architects with many talents.

Lunch on the deck

Izzo Here: Sometimes when the weather is nice, we are lucky enough to be able to enjoy lunch on the deck. I mean the deck could use, well, new everything, but the umbrella is a good addition.  But sometimes I get pretty bored eating on the deck because Greg and Schmitty aren't all that interesting, but it's still better than eating at my desk.  I'm just kidding... They're alright.

Second Saturday Art Show

A handful of JKR team members found their way to Yogawood in Collingswood, NJ this past weekend in support of Mike Izzo and his sketch exhibit. Mike's display was part of Collingswood's "Second Saturday" arts and entertainment event. We expect more opportunities to view Mike's work and witty sense of humor.

Art Show Opening!

Designer Mike Izzo is exhibiting some of his original sketches this Saturday from 6-9pm at Yogawood in Collingswood, NJ as part of the town's ongoing Second Saturday Festival. The Second Saturday Festival is full of artists and musicians, similar to First Fridays in Old City with plenty of shops and restaurants open late. Some sketches are good, some are bad, some are downright ridiculous.  This will be his third show; his first in his hometown.  You can check out his sketches on etsy.  Come check him out!  Free wine and cheese too!