Something new...
There is archeological evidence
that the first settlement of Jerusalem was
in about 4500 BCE
making it one of the most ancient cities in the world
JERUSALEM
Crossroads of three religions it is the
capital of the modern state of Israel
established in 1948
Narrow streets wind through the old city
to treasured monuments of three faiths
CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE
THE WESTERN WALL
...where all are welcome to tuck their prayers to God between the stones
THE DOME OF THE ROCK
which has sadly been made off limits to non Muslims
but you can wander the streets in the Arab Sector
Modern life blends in seamless harmony with the antiquities
of the City of Gold
THE MALMILLA MALL
Only native stone could be used for new construction
No building at all...adjoining the ancient walls
so as to preserve unobstructed views
Israelis have honored and preserved those restrictions
the "unfinished" lessons of The Holocaust
THE DELICATESSEN
and other chic eateries
have blossomed over the past decade
The best of everything from all over the world
is now available
in what was in the recent past literally
"a desert"
With the development of NETAFIM-drip irrigation
and desalination the Israeli's have created
the fruit and vegetable basket of Europe
A typical Israeli breakfast always includes
a tomato and cucumber salad fresh from the fields
Traditional Mediterranean food
Hummus- Tahina-Falafel
Pita Bread so light and fluffy
like nothing we can get here in the US
It's the REAL thing !
Museums beautifully curated from antiquities
to modern design are housed in unique structures
THE DESIGN MUSEUM-HOLON
ARCHITECT-RON ARAD
ribbons of cor-ten steel wrap the permanent
display of Arad's work
who himself described his furniture
as "virtue out of necessity
A young nation only 65 years old,
in an ancient land
Something old something new
The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle
A fascinating read that will get your mind racing
Some of the most advanced and brilliant
technological accomplishments have been birthed
in this brave new nation
Inspirational
Don't be surprised if you become an advocate
of required military service
The United States is also a relatively young nation. We too admire and encourage entrepreneurial ventures but we have had some dismal failings in respecting our architectural heritage
PENN STATION NYC
ARCHITECTS-McKIM MEADE & WHITE
ADA LOUISE HUXTABLE
Ms. Huxtable , then Architectural Critic for The New York Times
protested loudly from her column but to no avail
Her ability to share her enthusiasm for what was good and to call out what was bogus
won her the First Pulitzer prize for Criticism
"Tossed into the Seacaucus graveyard are about twenty-five centuries of classical culture and the standards of style, elegance, and grandeur that it gave to the dreams and constructions of Western man."
Jules Guerin murals covered by thick layers of soot
where also buried in that watery grave.
Six huge panels depicting the Pennsylvania landscape
installed at soaring heights
by staff originally trained as sailors
used to climbing riggings in heavy seas.
TRADERS MURAL-SAN FRANCISCO RESERVE
by Jules Guerin
The artist was quoted in The New York Times in 1910
" I tell you I've worried as much as I've worked since undertaking this job.
I don't want any widows made."
New York City suffered a profound cultural wound with the demise of Penn Station
but perhaps Penn Station died so other historical treasures could live...
GRAND CENTRAL STATION
spared the wrecking ball in 1973
has been restored to all it's former glory
and yet ...
there have been recent plans to demolish
Crossroads of three religions it is the
capital of the modern state of Israel
established in 1948
Narrow streets wind through the old city
to treasured monuments of three faiths
...where all are welcome to tuck their prayers to God between the stones
POPE JOHN PAUL II
THE DOME OF THE ROCK
which has sadly been made off limits to non Muslims
but you can wander the streets in the Arab Sector
and experience the sights and the smells
For a taste of Jerusalem start cooking your way through
this latest cult cookbook with flavors as ancient as the place
they originated and as modern as today's foodie culture demands
Climb to the roof of the Austrian Hospice
for a great view of the old city
Enjoy a Viennese apple strudel as another reward for the climb
The ancient walls of the old city are well viewed
from the Jewish Cemetery
on the Mount of Olives
a burial site for over 3000 years
Small stones are laid on graves in respect
and remembrance
An young Orthodox Jewish boy wears a "kippa"
and the traditional long sideburns
along with his modern back pack
of the City of Gold
The British had foresight to preserve the character
of a developing ancient city,
setting stringent restrictions back in 1918
Only native stone could be used for new construction
No building at all...adjoining the ancient walls
so as to preserve unobstructed views
Israelis have honored and preserved those restrictions
Shopping is a national 'sport'
wander through the modern mall
past original art on display
as live orchestras play
Old buildings have been carefully reconstructed
each stone numbered for accurate replacement
prior to dismantling
ONE SINGLE structure in Jerusalem has been exempt from the native stone restriction
YAD VASHEM
The Holocaust Museum
Honoring six million Jews who perished in WWII
ARCHITECT-MOSHE SAFDIE
Cutting through HAR HAZIKRON
(HILL OF MEMORIES)
Re-enforced concrete represents the "unfinished" lessons of The Holocaust
Winding through the dark displays
shafts of light piercing at intervals
POWERFUL
ENVELOPING
EMOTIONALLY HEAVY
culminating in light and optimism
as the structure opens to daylight
and reaches toward the Judean Hills in the distance
This optimistic spirit is nowhere more evident then in
defiantly boisterous Tel-Aviv where the energy is electrifying.
Almost like a "...non-stop party"
Raphael Kadushin-
National Geographic Traveler
Tel-Aviv is a cafe society
.
Streets are lined with outdoor cafes and restaurants
full at all hours of the day and night
Everybody seems vibrant and beautiful
ARCHITECT-RICHARD MEIER
Modern skyscrapers pierce the blue sky
Restoration of old structures continues at the
fast pace that seems the norm in this seaside city
where everything looks to the future despite
the constant threat of rocket attack
Bauhaus architecture is being feverishly restored
housing boutique hotels like the
MONTEFIORE
with slick, modern interiors
that nod to the innovative high tech mentality
of the locals
and other chic eateries
have blossomed over the past decade
is now available
in what was in the recent past literally
"a desert"
Necessity is the mother of invention
With little need for raincoats
in the Mediterranean climate of her new homeland
German refugee, Lea Gottleib turned her talents to swimwear in 1958.
Her designs and colorations were innovative
as well as flattering with her introduction of Spandex.
GOTTEX 1961
GOTTEX 2014
Water is precious in a desert land
and desalination the Israeli's have created
the fruit and vegetable basket of Europe
a tomato and cucumber salad fresh from the fields
Traditional Mediterranean food
Hummus- Tahina-Falafel
Pita Bread so light and fluffy
like nothing we can get here in the US
It's the REAL thing !
Museums beautifully curated from antiquities
to modern design are housed in unique structures
ARCHITECT-RON ARAD
display of Arad's work
who himself described his furniture
as "virtue out of necessity
functional
to whimsical
Visiting exhibits of design are always changing
HAT BY STEPHEN JONES
DESIGN MUSEUM HOLON
Stephen Jones hats on parade
Forgive me but I digress-
couldn't resist including this memorable
fashion statement by the Royal Princesses of Great Britain
FASHION CROSSROADS
in the ancient port city of Akko
north of modern Tel-Aviv
Akko's ancient port
The Fleur-de-Lis recently unearthed from beneath a modern
Akko courtyard has confirmed the presence of French crusaders
in the Holy Land
11th century groin vaults in the dining hall of the crusaders
in an ancient land
Something old something new
A fascinating read that will get your mind racing
Some of the most advanced and brilliant
technological accomplishments have been birthed
in this brave new nation
Inspirational
Don't be surprised if you become an advocate
of required military service
The United States is also a relatively young nation. We too admire and encourage entrepreneurial ventures but we have had some dismal failings in respecting our architectural heritage
Inspired by the Roman baths of Caracalla
the historical landmark survived a mere 56 years
Despite desperate protestations of architects, historians,
and the general public
Historical preservation was in its infancy in the 1960's
money carried the day
A national treasure was torn down to make way
for a modern high rise
Ms. Huxtable , then Architectural Critic for The New York Times
protested loudly from her column but to no avail
Her ability to share her enthusiasm for what was good and to call out what was bogus
won her the First Pulitzer prize for Criticism
Jules Guerin murals covered by thick layers of soot
where also buried in that watery grave.
Six huge panels depicting the Pennsylvania landscape
installed at soaring heights
used to climbing riggings in heavy seas.
by Jules Guerin
The artist was quoted in The New York Times in 1910
" I tell you I've worried as much as I've worked since undertaking this job.
I don't want any widows made."
New York City suffered a profound cultural wound with the demise of Penn Station
but perhaps Penn Station died so other historical treasures could live...
spared the wrecking ball in 1973
and yet ...
there have been recent plans to demolish
The Stacks
New York Public Library
ARCHITECTS-McKIM MEADE & WHITE
It is not that our memories are short or that we no longer care
It's very simply that someone stood to make a whole lot of $$$$$
Money does indeed talk
As reconstruction costs hit $300,000,000.00 the Library Trustees changed their minds
and were saved from their own short sightedness.
Plans for demolition have been scrapped !!!!!
Many thanks to a vibrant citizenry led in no small part
by the late Ms. Huxtable
who deserve much credit for the cancellation of plans
"devised out of a profound ignorance of, or willful disregard for
not only the library's original concept and design, but also the folly of altering its meaning and mission, and compromising its historical and architectural integrity."
Once gone
National Treasures are not possible to replace
Adieu
Ada Louise Huxtable
1921-2013
An irreplaceable National Treasure
With great respect,
Rela