The Exhibit

On Saturday my girlfriend Betty and I visited The Kimbell art museums newest exhibit.

Although, we needed  a quick lunch first. Ft. Worth has so many Mom and Pop eating places...and this one is an old timer. I am showing it to you because the decor looks like the early 1970's...which it is. It's the type of place you need to know about, since it is tucked in behind a strip shopping center( and you would never find it). You will not, by the way, find it this empty at lunch. They have great chicken salad....I can vouch that it is not made from canned chicken, because I found a bone in mine! I always order the same thing. A scoop and a soup. They will serve the chicken salad on a lettuce leaf with a a small cup of soup on the side... which is plenty for me. Oh by the way, the name of the place is The Lunch Box.

Okay now that we have had lunch...let's go to the museum!

Of all the museums near me in The Culture District....this is my favorite. The Kimbell.

The amazing building...a work of art itself was designed by one of this country's foremost Architects

Lois Kahn (1901-1974)

Kahn who had a different name at birth, was born in Estonia and moved with his family to Philadelphia when he was only five years old. He was educated at The University of Pennsylvania, but since his family was poor he had odd jobs from a very early age. While in college he played piano at the movie theater for silent films.

His buildings are very distinctive, and all are designed for extensive use of concrete. In my opinion I think the Kimbell, that he completed right before his death, was his greatest masterpiece.

He did design many other impressive structures, like The British Art Museum at Yale University and the Salk Institute in California.

The exhibit (about Kahn), showed many of his scale models including this one that proved to be ahead of it's time. This was to be a building in downtown Philadelphia which failed to get approval in the early 1940's!

Khan like so many gifted artists was not the best family man, having three children by three different women...and no divorce.

If you would like to read more about this extraordinary architect go : HERE

The Louis Kahn exhibit,which started this week, will run until June 25th

Kiss the Cow?

Good Morning. It's Monday so it's time for a mural.

Imagine my delight when I spotted this colorful cow on the side of a building, in Fort Worth, Texas yesterday.

Although I was a bit confused by the sign next to it?

To view murals from around the world, go:

*LINK NOT WORKING THIS MORNING>> I WILL LINK WHEN IT IS FIXED
 

Storage

I noticed all kinds of things on our walk along the Trinity River last week.

This office looking building didn't really catch my eye, until I saw the sign. Yep, it's a whole new construction just to house folks cases of wine. Now I ask you, do you buy so many cases of wine that you would need to rent a space to store them? Just wondering...

The Building

I hope that my tongue- and-cheek

art review (previous blog) hasn't soured your mind about visiting our Modern Art Museum. It is the oldest museum in Ft. Worth, opening in 1892,although it has undergone several name changes and moves.

 The current location  only opened in 2002,  and the building itself is a work of art by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The side you enter, near the parking lot, looks like any other new modern office building

but from the other side it takes on a whole new look, as the futuristic columns rise out of a crystal clear reflecting pond.

Also part of the enormous complex is an elegant restaurant that serves lunch, weekend brunch and Friday night dinners.

Part of our plan (mine and my husbands), was to tour the museum and then treat ourselves to lunch. The hostess inquired if we had a reservation, which it didn't look like we needed. Even though we had failed to call ahead, she was nice enough to seat us right by the window overlooking the reflecting pond.

It didn't take long for the place to fill up, a few people spilling out onto the patio. I might add that they have a new chef and the food is delicious.

The view across the pond is of two large trees that appear to be painted with silver paint., but I have since discovered they are a sculpture by Roxy Paine. Commissioned in 2008 this sculpture titled "Conjoined" stands 40 ft tall and 45 feet wide. The trees cantilever towards each other, their limbs intertwined. I even saw a real bird sitting on a limb...fooled him too!
All and all it was a wonderful day, and I am so thankful for the endless opportunities afforded us in Fort Worth,Cultural and otherwise !

* The tongue-in-cheek figure of speech is used to imply that a statement or other production is humorously or otherwise not seriously intended.

The Museum

Our new home in Ft. Worth is very near the cultural center, so close that you could actually walk. You have your choice of seven museums, and we have visited most of them. One we haven't made it to is:

I am not sure why, except I prefer art I can understand.

I do have to admit I did recognize the person in this self portrait (Andy Warhol)

and some of his art.

especially this piece

and I didn't even have to look to know who did this..Picasso in his cubism phase.

Then there were ones that I just didn't get...like this actual strange ladder.Although it did make me think of Jack and the Beanstalk.

These shapes are eye catching...but not so much that I would sit on a bench and stare at them.

Smashed pieces of silver suspended in air. It was like a table centerpiece...without the table.

A  carcass in the middle of the floor...I kept wondering where the head was.?

and what in the world is this colorful thing ?It did make me think of Dr. Seuss.

Tom got the biggest kick out of the plastic bottles with different amounts of blue water in them.I wonder if they would notice..if someone moved a bottle?

This guy sort of sums up my feeling about modern art....but don't mind me..It is an awarding winning museum that houses over 2600 objects of art in it's permanent collection...and certainly worth a visit if you are in Ft. Worth.

There was something I really liked though and I will save it for the next post.

My apologies to any modern artists that have have unintentionally insulted here.

Our Walk Along The River part ll

Sunday was such a beautiful day here in Fort Worth, Texas that my husband and I took a long walk along the banks of the Trinity River.

Here and there you will find places to rest in the shade and even drinking fountains.

As I mentioned on my last post, we need rain so the water is low.

Due to the low water, you don't have to walk all the way to the pedestrian bridge. You can have you choice. Hop from rock to rock or walk or ride across a low water crossing.

There is a very popular new indoor outdoor restaurant along this part of The Trinity, and a welcome sight if you are tired from walking.We have over 40 miles of hike and bike trails along the river here, so it is never crowded out there on the trails. If you are ever in Ft. Worth be sure and look for a map of the Trinity Trails.

Fun Along the River

This mural is under a bridge in a part of Fort Worth that is just being developed. You can only spot it if you are navigating a lower pedestrian bridge.

At one time there was a 7,000 acre cattle ranch along the Trinity River here

owned by the Edwards family. Ft. Worth, Texas grew up around it, and now the ranch itself is a multi use development called Clearfork. Hiking and biking trails run alongside the Trinity River river, which is dotted with restaurants, shopping, condos and businesses, but it can still  be navigated by canoe or kayak.

I have labeled the pedestrian bridge (one of several) that stretch across the river under the regular bridges.

There are several benches on this bridge where you can rest and enjoy the view..
As you can see, the river is low...we need rain.


To see other murals from around the world, go: HERE

Basking in the Sun

When I was out walking the other day I noticed

 

click on any image to enlarge

this Snowy Egret and some turtles basking in the sun, near a pond on the golf course. They looked so comfortable that I was temped to join them. Has the sun been shining where you are?

Out and About

Spotted this the other day...and I guess I should have saved it for Halloween

Actually my Tom spotted it and was nice enough to circle the block so I could get a picture (he is trained well). He also commented that he wondered if this guy had been married four times. One thing I love about Tom is his sense of humor....I think.

An Entry

Today I am sharing a photo of an entrance to a home that caught my eye  on my daily walk.

Not sure if it was the colorful Trumpet Vine crowning the top, or perhaps the large lanterns

flanking the stone arch that grabbed my eye. What I do know, is it made me wonder what was behind that door?

Linking today to Scribble Picnic " Lantern" Theme Go: HERE

Cow Town

One of  our neighbors heard that I was very interested in history, and invited me to attend a  meeting with her.  Patricia,who lives with her son and daughter in law, is very active in a historical society whose main purpose is preserving the Fort Worth Stock Yards. She grew up on the north side where our historic stockyards are located.

It seems Pat spends a lot of time with Wayne, who went to high school with her.

They took me to their favorite hamburger place. The Star Cafe, located yes in the stockyards, which has been open for over 100 years.. They both grew up coming here as children.

Meet Joyce, a very friendly waitress there, who was also a high school friend of theirs, and fellow cheerleader with Pat.'

The cafe is a sight to behold...and hasn't changed a lot in hundred years. Pat was full of stories about coming here with her grandfather, when she was so small that her feet didn't reach the ground when she sat on these very bar stools.I might add that they serve a delicious hamburger.

The Star Cafe is located on Exchange Street, which is the main street of The Stockyards. If you are having trouble locating it....There is a star dedicated to John Wayne on the sidewalk out it front.

We then went to this building, where our meeting was to be held. It was built in 1902 and a place where the cattle wheeling and dealing went on. Today it houses the Historical Society's museum and various business offices.

I couldn't help but notice (and smell) the cattle pens...still out back, which house a small heard of Longhorn Cattle.

These cattle are used in a twice daily cattle drive (for the tourists), along Exchange Blvd. I have to hand it to the Historical Society who are diligently trying to preserve this area, in it's original condition, which isn't always an easy task.

Barbecue

This rather large mural is painted on the side wall of a popular barbecue restaurant in Ft. Worth, Texas

The artist, Natalie Rahberg has a fine arts degree from The University of Texas. She does paintings and both residential and commercial murals

I came across this picture of Natalie actually painting the mural several years ago. I have often wondered how anyone painted something so large! I really like her work, although I don't know about you but I would have a hard time eating a sliced beef sandwich sitting on that picnic table looking into the eyes of that long horn steer!!

To view other murals from around the world click: HERE

A Walk Into Spring

I have not been faithful to my daily walk this winter....and I can't even give you a good excuse. Yesterday guilt was getting the better of me, so I put on my sneakers and headed out.

I didn't realize I would be walking into Spring!

You really notice things better on foot.

Flowers, blooming bushes and trees were everywhere,

and in a wide range of colors.

We had a very mild winter....but I am wondering if it is really over?

 I am always hesitate to plant flowers this early.

Have things started blooming where you are?

Maybe you too should go for a walk. You could possibly run into Spring!