Douglas Newby Insights - Page 56
David Dillon, Architecture Critic, at Winspear and Wyly Opening Weekend
The late architecture critic David Dillon expressed his pleasant surprise at both the architectural success of the Wyly Theater designed by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus and the Winspear Opera House designed by Sir Norman Foster, and how enthusiastically the Dallas community was embracing the Arts District. David Dillon was never one to take credit for any part of the evolving aesthetic success of Dallas, but you could sense the pride he had in this Dallas accomplishment. Buildings that related to each other and that created a place was a concept he lauded and advocated. I first spoke with David Dillon in the early 1980s about Munger Place and provided him with prints of the photographs found in the original Munger Brothers book. Over the years I might get a call from David regarding the annual Restoration House of the Year Award I had organized, a historic neighborhood, a specific architect or a modern home. He always impressed me with his interest in and insight on quality design regardless of the period or style.
As did most people, I always enjoyed reading David Dillon reviews and was appreciative of his insightful and sometimes brave commentary. He subtly shaped the thoughts and aspirations of Dallas citizens who influenced the city.
I have many inscriptions from authors of books, but I have always treasured the one he wrote many years ago on his O’Neil Ford book: “To Doug – Who has understood O’Neil’s work from the beginning and is one of the people who help keep his ideals alive.”
Shortly before David’s death I wrote an article for the Dallas Architecture Blog where I discussed the Haggerty/Hanley house and the timeless architecture of O’Neil Ford. This article is now dedicated to David Dillon. It is apparent from the ongoing architectural success of Dallas that many in Dallas understood the ideals of O’Neil Ford.
I join so many people in Dallas who miss David Dillon as a critic, an author and a friend.
http://www.dallasarchitectureblog.com/2010/05/what-makes-some-modern-architec…
Brian Cobble Has Brilliant Show at Valley House Gallery & Sculpture Garden
It’s an Urban Jungle Just Two Miles from the Dallas Arts District
Last winter, in a small urban garden in Munger Place, just over two miles from the Wyly Theatre and the Winspear Opera House in the Dallas Arts District, a Cooper’s Hawk landed in the middle of a small, aged metal birdbath, contemplating his next meal from a prolific variety of songbirds. After successfully snaring a few in flight culminating in a melodious last gasp from the prey, the rest of the diverse flock moved to safer ground. Finally, the songbirds returned as did a Great Egret that landed alongside a small koi pond, hunting its next meal. The koi dived deep causing the egret to take a long legged walk over to an even smaller koi pond to target its prey with its long coiled neck swaying back and forth ready to strike. Unsuccessful, the egret came back for another try the next morning. These urban jungle trained koi were too mean, lean, and streetwise to succumb to this feathered predator and remain safe…for now. The flowers were not so lucky. Were they uprooted by raccoons or opossums? It’s just another day in the jungle.
Nasher Sculpture Center Garden Glows in Spring
Even with the azaleas in bloom in Highland Park and the tulips in bloom at the Dallas Arboretum, the Nasher Sculpture Center garden is like a magnet to Park Cities and Dallas homeowners, students, and visitors who can see an extraordinary collection of 20th century art in a protected and beautiful setting in the middle of downtown Dallas.
Jaume Plensa’s Exhibition Inside the Nasher Sculpture Center
In addition to the sculptures displayed in the Nasher Sculpture Center gardens featured on a previous post, the inside of the museum also featured an amazing and playful display of artist Jaume Plensa’s work. Art patrons and homeowners from Oak Lawn, Swiss Avenue, and Highland Park enjoyed walking through the exhibition’s curtain of strung letters traversing the entrance of the museum and viewing the artist’s use of letters, light, and human forms to create unique and fascinating sculptures and art. The citizens of Dallas have a long history of great appreciation for modern art and architecture.
Nasher Sculpture Center Shows Work of Jaume Plensa in Nasher Sculpture Garden
The Nasher Sculpture Center for the first time curates an exhibition of a living artist, Jaume Plensa. A spectacular showing was mounted, displaying works from sculptures outside the front of the Renzo Piano designed museum to sculptures on the terraces and throughout the museum gardens. On an earlier post we showed a photograph of Jaume Plensa‘s work on the Eugene McDermott Terrace at the Meadows Museum at SMU in University Park. Now Dallas and Highland Park homeowners, residents, and visitors can see a full body of work of this extraordinary artist, Jaume Plensa.
The Elevated Sculptures on the Exterior of the Nasher Sculpture Center Announce a Major Exhibition of Jaume Plensa’s Work
Artist Jaume Plensa enjoyed coming by the Nasher Sculpture Center at night and seeing his sculptures on raised platforms lit in changing washes of colored light. These Plensa sculptures were a great announcement for the fantastic exhibition inside the Nasher Sculpture Center where people came from neighborhoods across the city, including Greenway Parks, Kessler Park, Bluffview, and Preston Hollow, to enjoy the exhibit.
The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture Institute 100 Lecture Series Has Dr. Richard Brettell Speak at Architect Edward Larrabee Barnes Designed Modern Home in Preston Hollow
Dr. Richard Brettell, formerly the Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, currently Chair of Art and Aesthetics at UTD and a monumental cultural and creative force in Dallas, discusses the current FRAME exhibitions and this home in Preston Hollow designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes, who also designed the Dallas Museum of Art. Seated outdoors were prominent residents of Bluffview, Volk Estates, Strait Lane, Preston Hollow, and Highland Park who came for this Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture Institute 100 lecture. Dr. Larry Allums, Executive Director of the Institute, presided at the lecture.
Art Ball Raises Funds for Dallas Museum of Art
Art philanthropists, patrons, and friends of the Dallas Museum of Art convene every April for the Dallas Art Ball to celebrate the Dallas Museum of Art and to raise funds for the further success of the museum. Civic leaders and patrons in attendance included Highland Park homeowners, the remarkable Margaret McDermott, Nash and Marion Flores, Ford Lacy and Cece Smith, Jeff and Shannon Estes, Grace Cook, and Olivier and Laure Meslay from the auction stage donating their chateaux in Bordeaux for a week.
Dallas Architecture Forum Discusses Architect E.G. Hamilton and His Texas Regional Work Including NorthPark Center
Stephen Fox wrapped up the day at the Dallas Architecture Forum Texas Regionalism Symposium held at the Nasher Sculpture Center, discussing architect E.G. Hamilton and his design of NorthPark Center, its influence on Texas and Texas’ influence on it. E.G. Hamilton also designed important Highland Park residences, including one of Dallas’ most significant homes on Crescent. Other speakers included Fort Worth architect Mark Gunderson.
