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May 22, 2008

Read up on Gehry before his move to El Segundo

Los Angeles-based and world-renowned architect Frank Gehry plans to move his office to El Segundo, so you might want to read up on him in case you happen to meet at the coffee shop.

Worldwide, his impossible-to-ignore work (even more amazing considering that he is well known for sticking to his budgets) has made him a "starchitect."

But he's been criticized for his buildings' functionless forms and possible environmental hazards (the metallic Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles was reflecting and concentrating sunlight and heat onto the surrounding streets, creating glare and causing sunburns).

A resident of Santa Monica, Gehry's architectural fingerprints are visible all over the L.A. area, including the former Santa Monica Place (the site is currently being renovated), the Venice Beach House and the Loyola University Law School. The school will take you on a virtual tour of that gem.

Another of Gehry's most well-known (and cutest -- thanks to that floral pup outside) landmarks is the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. And you don't have to shell out airfare to see that one, either. Take a guided virtual tour of the "emblematic" site.

April 9, 2008

Design your own movie poster

If you’ve ever had a desire to design your own movie poster, or are just looking for a fun way to kill time, you should check out this site.The Web site allows you to choose from a wide range of scenes, super heroes, villains and fonts. And, once you’re finished with your creation, you can send it to a friend, or save it to pull up another time.

February 8, 2008

Got to get a Getty Guide

The Getty Museum has developed an audio tour for the Fran and Ray Stark Sculpture Garden, a collection of 28 modern and contemporary sculptures that were donated to the museum from the collection of the film producer. According to the museum's Web site, you can download an audio tour with these features:

Listen to sculptors Joel Shapiro, Jack Zajac, and Peter Shelton talk about their work. Hear a Getty Museum conservator, a designer, and curators as they share their views about the sculpture, sculpture gardens, and the planning and work involved to make it all happen. Art historian Penelope Curtis of the Henry Moore Institute is also featured.

You can listen to the podcast on your cell phone or ipod as you tour the garden. The site also has a map available for download.


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