Wednesday, March 30, 2016

The Wright Tour Pt. 8: DTLA



We're closing in on the finish of this series…I promise! After viewing the Hollyhock House, we had a whirlwind tour of Downtown LA, which included the Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall.



I remember when I first saw photos of it I was not enthralled; definitely not my taste. However, the incredibly creative building has grown on me.



I dashed around the building snapping as we had very little time at each stop. Up on the building's rooftop garden is this piece of art called "A Rose for Lilly."



The Gehry designed fountain is in honor of Walt's wife, Lillian, and her love for Royal Delft porcelain vases and roses. The fountain is a large rose that’s covered in thousands of broken pieces of Delft porcelain and tiles.



The building looks gorgeous against a blue sky; a photographer's dream. Well…at least mine.



Next up was the Bradbury Building.



It has been used in a number of movies, most notably, "Blade Runner" with Harrison Ford.



The 1893 building was commissioned by Los Angeles gold-mining millionaire Lewis L. Bradbury and constructed by draftsman George Wyman from the original design by Sumner Hunt.



Every time I visit it, there are a number of people gawking over the impressive interiors.



It is jaw-dropping at wide-angle as well as closeup.







Two of my favorite things: vintage tile…



and vintage light fixtures (please note Darryl; a return to sanity).









On the right is a display of info and photos about "Blade Runner" and the Bradbury building:





We were also afforded quite a bit of time at the LA County Museum of Art; always an enjoyable visit.





This spaghetti-like art installation in the courtyard had people mesmerized walking in and out of its tentacles.





I loved the light in this hallway.



The late Gloria Stuart of "Titanic" fame (the older Rose) was also a painter. This one is from the 1960s and part of a series she did on the Watts Towers.



Another favorite discovery for me on this trip was this portrait of Dr. Felix J. Weil, 1926, by George Grosz, a German Painter.



This vintage Bluebird radio is right up my alley.





Loved the lighting and layout in this display also:



A statue from the outdoor sculpture garden:



More Los Angeles photos at my main website.

2 comments:

K. Martinez said...

This series could've lasted for 20 posts and I would've been happy. I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I've always been a huge fan of the Bradbury Building ever since discovering it from watching one of my all-time favorite films "Blade Runner". It's a beautiful building both interior and exterior. As for the Walt Disney Concert Hall, I actually like it quite a bit. For some reason it makes me think of Fantasia. Thanks, Dave.

Darryl said...

:-)