the earth ink

Finally! After years of anticipation, Louvre Abu Dhabi opened to the public on 11 November 2017 (and after considering the experience, I'm finally finishing my post about the event). In a country full of iconic architecture - like the world's tallest, Burj Khalifa, and the "leaning" Capital Gate Building - this may be considered the glittering crown. The impressive complex is the work of Jean Nouvel who used local geometric design patterns layered into a dome to create a "rain of light" below. The result is a venue of ever-changing light and shadows that provides relief from the desert sun for 55 structures, including 23 gallery buildings. This "village" is modelled after an Arabian medina and the thoughtful design invites guests to wander through the space. Built "into" the sea, Nouvel's use of water, light, and geometry grace the architectural landscape with a peaceful environment where visitors contemplate work...

Beyond the tour, the people posturing for perfect photography, and the nagging desire to constantly tug a shayla (headscarf) tight around my face, it remains impossible to miss the calm and worshipful atmosphere at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Like floating through a manic airport or hearing my footsteps in my empty high school gymnasium, this modern architectural wonder emboldens me to remember how small my individual physical frame is within the the vast gentle grandeur of the structure. The place compels me to humbly turning inward; recognizing how sacred the soul of my being remains as part of God's Creation. A place of Islamic worship, anyone is invited to visit this Mosque. People of all cultures, religions, and geographical locales use the space as a place for quiet reflection. Tours peruse the grounds several times each day while a guide introduces the group to the Mosque's history, design, and construction - along with a brief explanation about several of the pillars...

To take an attractive idea and turn it into my own design is o ne of my favorite design challenges . It encourages me to try something that might be outside of my style and to understand what makes effective images attractive and eye-catching. The idea of using an all black background with one focal image came from a magazine ad. While dramatically manipulating a photo of the plaque at the Sydney Opera House dedicated to the architec t,  Jørn Utzon , I realized that image would pop on that black backdrop. And, by turning another image of the Opera House to black and white and over-contrasting the photo, I created a recognizable icon to put on the bottom of my design. Without reading the subdued text (the quote on the plaque by Mr. Utzon about his design), anyone who looks at this image will know exactly what place the design represents.

White washed buildings backdropped with the cerulean blue of the Adriatic Sea are indicative of being in the Greek Islands. My visit coincided with the tourist's low season, so I had much of the volcanic island of Santorini to explore on my own. While the photos I took home are people-free, I also had a difficult time finding shops and restaurants that were open for lunch! This photo was taken in the town of Oia where a labyrinth of stone pathways leads down the cliffs of the volcano's crater. Losing oneself among the streets is an easy way to spend an entire day admiring the architecture of this town that hangs from the island's volcanic rim.