There are two large fish under this dome! Directly underneath is the “Holy Mackerel” of the Massachusetts Senate. Nearby is its more famous cousin, the “Sacred Cod.” This good luck symbol was donated to the House of Representative by the fishing industry to remind lawakers of the importance of seafood for the local economy. Hilariously, the editors of the Harvard Lampoon “codnapped” this sculpture. They later relented and told the authorities where they could find it. After that, UMASS students tried to do the same thing. Second acts usually fall flat. This is the Massachusetts State House.
After discovering Santiago Calatrava’s art pieces in Valencia, Spain, I try to capture the America's Cup building by British architect David Chipperfield. I was, again, visiting these place while I was studying interior architecture, so I more paid attention to interior spaces at that time. Now, I can see more details of facades and exteriors spaces. The sketch was done looking through the building. The architect has garnered a great deal of awards, as has the building. Especially, the Royal Institute of British Architects awarded the highly coveted European prize in 2007. It was an enriching experience to see these buildings at that time, thanks to my aunt.
Another icon from Italy, the tower of Pisa . Really, it is going to fall, someday. But people say the tower will be stable for the next 200 years. 200 years, my ass. -if there are no wars. Everyone does the requisite pose trying to prop up the tower. I must confess, gentle reader, that I, too, participated in this idiocy. The sketch was from a picture on a grand tour of Italy. Your turn. Take the camera!
While taking Citylab at the BAC, we had to do some sketches. This is of Government Service Center, by Paul Rudolph. I had previously done an interior sketch of its well-known chapel. This time I sketched from a picture which I had to sneak because photography is not permitted. This view, actually, is very famous as can be seen from Instagram pots and other social platforms.
Thanks to MLS, I met a great deal of nice international people, such, from Hungary, Sabrina; from Korea, Phil, and Jeongku and his wife; from Japan, Taka and on and on. We hung out a lot while learning English. We went so many places and one of them was Sabrina’s boss’s house somewhere in Mass, which I do not remember exactly. We were lucky that this house was empty in the summer. Also, I remember that we were going to stay 1 night, but we bought enough food for a week. At the end of the day, Phil kept the leftovers. Anyway, the sketch was from a picture of the front of the house while preparing to head back to the Hub.
It was good to see Rockport again. This small sea town is wonderful for art adorers. There are great deal of painters living in it. Their works hang in small galleries throughout this seaside community. The sketch was from the main drag, which is taken over by pedestrians in the summer. My attention was drawn to these mailboxes and their shadows. I wish I could color this, but I need to keep consistency.
OMG, finals are coming… I should hurry to catch up with everyone. Shit, I have a list to go through for the final review. This is getting crazy. I am not gonna be able to get these assignments out in just a few weeks. Unlike everyone in this college, I do not work -but I should. So, what I am gonna do is TRY my best! Toiling many nights, I gotta get an A -this is what nerds think! HAHA, no dude, I just want to put my works into my portfolio, of which I proud, and reflect on my design ability. Hold on, I am getting emails from TAs who think that they know everything better than everyone. Time for a reality check. Whoops, my poor computer would like to sleep, with your permission. NO, it is not going to happen. I need to finish everything before the review -scaled plans, sections, elevations and exterior-interior perspectives. Add details, please! I do not even know what my concept is -sure I know. Oh, no, the due date is looming. I have to pull some stuff out of my ass to fill my pin-up board, which nobody reads or cares about. There is no time, but I should see my tutor, too, to edit my writings, even this writing is edited - no shame I am an international student- and prepare my talk for review. The day has come. I am ready to present, but not to see unscaled projets and blank walls, I am sorry. For the BAC, which is a great architectural college without private draft tables for students or a studio culture (Come on! Twice a week for a total of 3 hours is not enough!) I think that working and having experience is definitely important in the architectural field, BUT it is more important to internalize your projects and to reflect on your thoughts in your design. However, creativity can not be taught, but, at least, the way to it can be shown. They do pretty good, though, but not students -I try to do, BTW. I do not criticize, my friend, I just say what I have felt so far in this adventure. So tell me, my friend, what are up to and what are you doing?
