Life in Iraq seems to be getting worse and worse. Violence is rampant and housing is at shortfall. Since the invasion of Iraq by the US government land lords have been raising their rents due to restrictions lifted under Saddam's rule and have left tenants homeless looking for alternate housing. This has led to shantytown's similar to favellas in Brazil. Others have taken refuge in bombed and abandoned airbases.

NYTimes Article

To some Frank Gehry is considered the American Architect of our generation because of his popularity and commissions, but as most people in their profession recognize, popularity does not deem one a virtuoso or a genius. On the contrary, popularity creates a personality that can manipulate and mold an identity which creates an individual the populace can marvel at. With this in mind, Frank Gehry further reiterates his lack of architectural theory and solely defends his design through childish model making.

His interview describes his ability to work through people and create architecture through images and dreams. I ask where and when does he consider the program and the public necessity of these projects.

In some ways this interview, is a dark conversation with Frank as they discuss the effects of age on an architect and the problems Frank faces because of his ineptness with technology. These concerns and his consideration for his employees are slightly heartwarming, but do not justify his greatness in the field of architecture.

Consider this, Frank Gehry the amazing architect of our generation that creates engineering marvels, but does not know how to use computers and does not know much about structural integrity.

To give Frank some credit, Frank was an amazing architect when he worked in smaller scales. His deconstruction and questioning of materials have propelled him to his current status, but they fail at many levels when built in the scale that he does today. To me, Frank's talent has been constantly diminishing since the construction of his house and the experimental constructs he developed through it.

WSJ Opinion

The High Line project is reminiscent of a certain gentrification that happened pre-1980s, the development of SoHo. New projects have swarmed Chelsea and developers are locked in to cash out. Through all this turmoil planners, architects and city agencies have worked to keep the High Line a public entity and have helped to divert privatization of the elevated park.

NYTimes Article

Los Angeles has started a nascent trend toward re-urbanizing their city, due to the irremediable traffic and commute. This has driven the younger population to live closer to their occupations and has therefore increased the density of LA. In response to this new trend, the city of LA has recognized the need for innovative, contemporary architecture. Architects Frank Gehry and Thom Mayne [2005 Pritzker Award] have rejuvenated west coast architecture and are redefining the city of LA.

NYTimes Article

Radin has commented on the noticeable differences between my comments and the clips from the articles, so I will write more of my opinions.

An influx from California helped make Arizona the fastest-growing state, displacing Nevada for the first time in nearly two decades, according to census figures released yesterday.

Refugees fleeing Hurricane Katrina cost Louisiana 5 percent of its population, swelling the count in Texas and Georgia. As a result, Louisiana is likely to lose one of its seven seats in the House of Representatives, according to a study by Election Data Services, a Washington consulting firm.


NYTimes Article

MADRID (Reuters) - A renowned Spanish surgeon has been rushed to Cuba to treat ailing leader Fidel Castro, a Spanish newspaper reported on Sunday.

Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, an intestinal specialist, traveled to the Caribbean island on Thursday aboard an aircraft chartered by the Cuban government, according to Spain's left-leaning El Periodico de Catalunya newspaper.

The plane carried medical equipment not available in Cuba in case the leader needs further surgery due to his progressively failing health, the newspaper reported.

Garcia Sabrido will carry out tests on Castro to see if he needs another operation after undergoing emergency surgery for intestinal bleeding in July, the newspaper said.

Officials at the Madrid hospital where Garcia Sabrido works declined to comment on the report. Cuban embassy officials were not immediately available for comment.

Cuban officials say Castro is not dying and will return to public life. His absence from the public eye has fanned speculation he is too ill to govern the country he has run since toppling dictator Fulgencio Batista in a 1959 revolution.

© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Two of the nation's largest timber companies, Weyerhaeuser and Plum Creek Timber, have polished their public images for years by participating in a program that certifies that their logging is environmentally friendly.

But in separate challenges this month from the far corners of the United States, environmental groups in Washington state and in Maine are accusing Weyerhaeuser Co. and Plum Creek Timber Co. of using the forest industry's green-labeling program as a cover while they log in ways that harm endangered spotted owls in Washington and violate forestry laws in Maine.

Washington Post Article

On Archis an individual proposed a project called "bullet lights." It is to create empathy and realization of the devastation in Beirut.

"All across Beirut you can find walls covered with bullets holes. Reminders of past violence, conflict and war. Moving through the city they are an all too familiar backdrop for any urban scene. This proposal that I called ‘bullet lights’ is reversing the meaning and experience of the ‘bullet hole wallpaper’ at diverse locations in the city. Introducing unexpected poetic moments of beauty. Beauty, ambivalently mixed with the physical testimonies of violence. The project doesn’t want to make a point it just invites people to look at things differently. Seeing things from more than one perspective is the starting point for empathy."

Unbuilt

A state oversight board voted on Wednesday to approve the Atlantic Yards project near Downtown Brooklyn, knocking down the last regulatory hurdle for the biggest real estate project in Brooklyn history.

The vote by the Public Authorities Control Board capped three years of bitter battles between opponents and supporters of the $4 billion project. The version approved today — 8 million square feet over 22 acres along Atlantic Avenue — includes a huge residential housing complex with about 6,400 market-rate and subsidized apartments, a basketball arena for the New Jersey Nets, and a smattering of office space, with the design punctuated by elaborately designed towers that dwarf nearby residential neighborhoods.

NYTimes Article

OMA wins bid for Stock Exchange building in Shenzhen. The 250m-high building will be OMA’s second biggest project in China after the vast CCTV building in Beijing, which is under construction.

I don't completely understand Rem and OMA's design philosophy for the project, as it is in the initial stages of development, but I found the building unfamiliar with OMA's vernacular. It is a disappointment when a firm such as OMA, that is culturally and politically aware, creates a phallic building that is the capacity of SOM.

Dezeen

Great article about Francois Jousse an engineer that lights 300 monuments of Paris. The article discusses the nuances between Lyon and Paris school of lighting. Lyon has a pointillist approach hat uses small spotlights to highlight the details of its Baroque architecture for dramatic effect. The Paris thought, by contrast, takes a holistic approach that bathes the structures in warm, even light.

NYTimes Arcticle

Thursday I had the opportunity to go to the Big Apple Circus. I explained to some people that I never went to the Circus or the Zoo as a kid and I went to the aquarium once with the school, they told me I was deprived as a child. The circus must be a better experience when you younger, because I didn't find it very interesting. I noticed that there were several groups with mentally challenged people, I suppose these organizations believe they like circuses and clowns. For the show I wanted to reenact a childhood dream and bought myself a box of popcorn and soda, the popcorn was stale and it sucked.

They don't do anything small at the Big Apple Circus

Cowboy climbing up a pair of rope

Trapeze with harnesses

Frenchmen riding a small bike through a ring of fire

Chinese arcobatics

Finale

Under the new regulations, all private construction of at least 50,000 square feet must meet the minimum criteria of the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for new projects.

While other governments have adopted the association’s standards for private construction, Boston is believed to be the first city to revise its building code to adhere to them.

NYTimes Article

Another One Lost

Last night, Lake Trout recorded live at the Mercury Lounge. They performed two sets, one rock and one ambient. They rocked out like only Lake Trout can, and as always I don't remember the set list. I will tell you this, I am still recovering from last night, from all the head banging and thrashing about. At one point I think I scared off a skinny Japanese girl, whose friend had been trying to bring into the middle of the crowd all night long. Obviously as soon as this happened she was overwhelmed by the energy that is Lake Trout. Oh and there was no smoke machine this time.

Woody setting up

Beginning of the set

James playing the caveman bassline

Another one lost

Lyle and I agreed that Michael does not drink beer or party, he just practices drums all the time with one hand

Crowd enjoying the show; Radin's hiding somewhere

Apparently there was also some video recording of the event

A little disheveled from the performance

Radin/Steve; Greg do you not like pictures?

Me/Steve; Steve likes pictures

Ambient set

My friend Amy's husband's band, Chavez, will be performing this Saturday at the Warsaw located on 261 Driggs Ave. Come check them out the cover is $15 and the doors open at 8PM.

Chavez was an indie rock band active in the New York club scene in the mid to late '90s. Formed in 1993 from the ashes of Wider, the band owed much to the sonic approach of math rock pioneers Slint and the post-punk outfit Mission of Burma, utilizing angular, asymmetrical riffs, dramatic dynamic shifts and a brutal sonic attack.

Guitarist Matt Sweeney went on to join Smashing Pumpkins frontman/guitarist Billy Corgan and Slint guitarist David Pajo in forming Zwan in 2001. Most recently, Sweeney teamed up with Will Oldham (under the moniker Bonnie 'Prince' Billy) for the 2005 album Superwolf, as well producing and playing on Early Man's debut record for Matador, Closing In. Clay Tarver has kept himself busy directing various television commercials as well as writing the script for the movie Joy Ride.

Check out their music here.

I worked on this chair design for my architecture portfolio. This chair is going to get me into a master's program, I think. The idea was to create a transportable, sustainable, disposable and recyclable chair. Cardboard seemed to be the best material to tackle these tasks. Click on the images to have a better view.

This is the contents page of my portfolio.

Greg has informed me that there will be meteor showers tonight. Scientists have stated that tonight will be the best day of the year to watch meteors and the beautiful trails they create. Meteor watching is a patient sport and requires a decent amount of attention. If you do not have these abilities, please conduct yourself with caution, you may injure yourself.

Clarion Ledger Article

At 7pm in the back room at Teddy's Bar & Grill (corner North 8th and Berry in Williamsburg), Transportation Alternatives is showing their film, "Contested Streets." It's about how other cities are dealing with traffic and re-making their streets and public places into spaces that better serve the needs of their citizens.

Also, this is the first night of Teddy's toy drive. PLEASE bring an unwrapped toy, which will be given to local children of formerly-homeless families.

After the exhibition I went to Admerasia's holiday party. Lets hope that everyone forgets what happened last night by Monday.

Why is there always limbo at Asian parties? Thank god there was no karaoke

Sally's wife Michael

Michael; Sally

All the girls love Michael

Designated dancers

Sally hiding

Now $#%& is hiding [sorry I forgot your name again]

...

Evening makeout sess

Fucking rockstars

I don't like that, thank you very much

$#%& and me

Even Suzie is dancing

The only picture of me and Michael the whole night, and thats how it turned out. I guess the camera couldn't handle the combination

Friday, Radin and I went to check out the blockbuster at the Guggeneheim; Spanish Painting from El Greco to Picasso: Time, Truth, and History. It displayed great masters from the 16th century to the modernists of the 20th century. The reason I call it a blockbuster is because of the line-up, which include Velasquez, El Greco, Picasso, Miro, Goya, Ribera, and many more.

During the exhibition Greg and I pontificated on the reason why the Spanish masters would draw still lifes. Greg with his expert knowledge of art, reasoned that maybe they just wanted to paint vases and dying produce, contrary to the contrived explanation of immortality and profound fascination of death.

Anyways, the best way to the do the exhibition is top down, because everything at the bottom is not really worth seeing, and the cubist items are all crap, especially some of the Picassos. The real reason to see the exhibition is to see some of the rare Spanish master's at work, although some of the paintings are second rate. Although, the overall theme was nonsense and there were not many correlations between the traditional painters to the modernists it is worth seeing the exhibition.

Picasso's interpretation of Zubaran's study of skulls

Miro and his exquisite detail to forms and line

For some reason I took a lot of pictures of Picasso, I guess I really am a modernist, although I really do feel that the 16th century work was the pinnacle of the exhibition.