Simhan

As we pack up our stuff, we’ve been finding some great stuff including this picture.  This was New Year’s 2001, I think.  Brian and Ellen had only been dating for a few months when he sprung this outfit on her.  The fact that she didn’t rush for the exits was a clear sign that they were meant to be together.

I’m coming close to the end of a great 12 years in New York.  What made it great was not only the city and all that it offers but having such a fantastic group of friends to share it with.  I hope you all move to the Bay area over the next few years!

One of the highlights of our recent trip to San Francisco, besides finding an apartment, was seeing the Martin Puryear exhibit at the SFMoMa.  Martin Puryear is modern sculptor who creates semi-abstract works in natural materials that are influenced by indigenous cultures.  Now that doesn’t sound very fun but his works are truly spectacular.  Brilliantly crafted, beautiful and fascinatingly constructed.  If you’re in SF or ever have the opportunity to see his work, I highly recommend it!

Very cool and context-sensitive renovation in Greenwood Heights Brooklyn.  The story in the NYT is well worth reading for a story about how everything can go wrong in a home purchase.

[Apartment Therapy]

Daniel Liebiskind called.  He wants his over-wrought, arbitrary style of architecture back.

[Dezeen]

Very interesting looking new building from Toyo Ito.  Compared to the other Starchitects, he gets very little publicity but he consistently turns out rigorous, interesting and innovative architecture.  One of my favorites.

[NYT]

Frank Gehry’s renovation of the Art Gallery in his hometown looks like his best work in a few years. He very subtly creates a dialog between the old and the new buildings. The fantastic staircase that connects the older building to the newer galleries is a great example of this. Just when I thought he’d become the architectural equivalent of Al Pacino, he’s re-asserted his greatness. Even the typically dour Ouroussoff is quite taken with the work.

[NYT]

Very cool art from Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.  He also is an architect of sorts and collaborated on the Bird’s Nest stadium.

[Dezeen]

I am thrilled that Barack Obama won the presidency yesterday.  My faith in this country has been restored and hopefully it will have the same effect across the world.  I think President Obama will do a lot to right the mistakes of the past eight years.  It’s inspiring to have such a smart, accomplished, self-made and fundamentally decent man as our President.  A HUGE step up from George W. Bush.

My only concern is that he comes to the job at an exteremely challenging time and the entire nation and perhaps world has pinned its hopes on him.  It’s a lot to live up to but this man has performed beyond everyone’s expectations every single time, so I am sure he’ll do it again.  I am also looking forward to 4 years of Biden gaffes, which should provide plenty of fodder for Jon Stewart and others.

I was seriously considering moving back to India if Ms. Palin had been elected Vice-President, so, I am glad that I can continue living here.  I also hope John McCain goes back to being himself.  He tarnished his record with this ugly campaign and flip-flops on major positions but he’s a great American who has given his life to service and I hope he makes us remember that in the years to come.

Interesting design idea.  Packaging that turns into the product.

[ApartmentTherapy]

The NYT has a very cool set of New York City cheat sheets from artist Christoph Niemann.