San Diego is best known for its weather and beaches, attracting a plethora of tourists each year. The true jewel of the city is actually Balboa Park, 1200 acres of landscaping, museums, theaters, and a zoo, situation just minutes from the downtown area. I was attending an art opening the other night and decided to take my camera along, knowing that I would most likely be able to catch the park at the edge of sunset.
My first two photos show the California Building/Tower which houses The Museum of Man. Built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, this structure was designed by noted architect Bertram Goodhue.
It is one of my favorite buildings in the park, one that I painted many moons ago for a local architect.
The San Diego Art Museum might be recognized by sharp-eyed "Citizen Kane" buffs, as it can be seen in a few of the shots that represent Charles Foster Kane's estate of excess, Xanadu.
Zooming in to the top of the building, you can see the statues of Diego Velázquez, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and Francisco de Zurbarán, famous 17th Century Spanish artists:
The original statues now reside in the Panama-California Sculpture Court, a hidden treasure I discovered while I was shooting that night. Amazing where a camera can unexpectedly take you.
The court also contains a few other sculptural gems, like this one titled "Religion," sculpted in 1915. It stood at the top of the Exposition Building, which was reconstructed and is now known as Casa del Prado.
Here is how the building looks today with the newly cast version on top:
This one looks as if it has been frozen in sleep, just awaiting the right magical word to awaken it.
A face only a mother could love, this Grotesque Mask was also from the Casa del Prado.
This scary open-mouthed sculpture can be found on the Museum of Man. My twisted sense of something draws me to these frightening visages.
I have always been fascinated by hallways, especially by the way the light (natural or artificial) dances in between the arches.
See more vintage & current Balboa Park in San Diego photos on my Balboa Park web page.
I've been to several of the major and famous city parks around the United States and found Balboa Park to be one of the most beautiful. The "California Quadrangle" with its California Bell Tower & Building is definitely the crown jewel of the park. It's been nearly thirty years since I've been there. Someday I hope to return for a visit. Nice post today. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe face of the gargoyle appears to be reacting to the great moneyed powers that be who intend to destroy the historic landmark status of this treasure in order privatize it. If they succeed, there goes San Diego's crown jewel. The majority of those currently running for mayor voted in favor of the projects that will destroy the park. And then we'll have the privilege of paying approximately $20.00 per day to park at the Balboa Mall.
ReplyDeleteYour photographs are absolutely fabulous and I hope you have the opportunity to take many more and paint many more iconic images of our jewel while we still have it.