20/20

ART, CULTURE & SCIENCE
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Contact Sharolyn Shearer @ [sharolyn@fsdesignworks.com]

Entry by Marla Doll, Umpqa Bank and committee member

From my third floor balcony on the south side of Meriwether West, I am absorbed into the pedestrian energy and flavor of Pennoyer street by proximity. Even in the winter, with views of Dana Lynn Louis’ light installations or the recent red carpet party I oversaw from my perch last month, the thoroughfare is alive year-round.

It’s spring and summer, however, when the pedestrian-scale street really comes to life. During those months the sing-songy noises of bikers, runners and random passers-by, conversations between neighbors, dogs playing, the annual art exchange and the occasional live band playing below at Bella Espresso fills the air. The festive energy spills into my space through an open balcony door and I can imagine I’m in any city in the world.

Turning my attention to the view and the architecture, however, there is no question I am in a unique setting.

This spring we will all enjoy a newly remodeled Pennoyer Street and surrounding area, thanks to the green vision of developers Homer Williams, Gerding Edlen and Thomas Hacker Architects, Inc.

It’s been fascinating to see the landscaping take form between my building and the Atwater. Now that it’s all in place I wait, in eager anticipation, for the newly planted River Birch trees to show their leaves and the smaller plants to thrive and bloom over the next few months (if weather cooperates).

Interested in learning more, I contacted the exterior project architect with Thomas Hacker Architects, Inc. (www.thomashacker.com), Nick Hodges, for more insight into the creation and implementation of ‘my new front yard’…

The following interview (conducted by email) is an exchange between Nick and I.
Q. Landscape, both man-made and natural, is such a strong element in the newly forming South Waterfront area. What kind s of questions did you ask w hen defining how the design will integrate with the rest of the community?
A. Every side of the site for Atwater Place has conditions that make it unique. River Parkway and Gaines have a reasonably close relationship in that both are more traditional street sections with sidewalks, street trees, curbs and two-way traffic. With that in mind we worked to establish a traditional pedestrian oriented street edge for the building. Pennoyer and the waterfront edges have a completely different set of conditions. Pennoyer as a “green street” is a pretty incredible asset for the district and we worked very hard to orient the building in such a way as to enhance what that notion. By pulling the tower portion of Atwater Place to the south, we allowed the plaza to spill out and open up onto Pennoyer. The east side facing the river is a wonderful space that will only be improved upon once the park area gets developed. In the meantime we oriented a significant portion of native landscaping and bioswales that soften the edge of the building as it meets this future park.

Q. Is this a particularly difficult or elaborate design compared to your other projects. A. This is a relatively new project type for Thomas Hacker Architects and creating some fun and challenging design problems. Personally, I was most excited with understanding the scale of the buildings and how the exterior materials went together. In particular, the unitized curtain wall system provided by Benson Industries was probably the most exciting aspect of the project for me.

Q. What is your favorite element of this particular design? Least favorite? (either from a design or development perspective). A. I am sure in time there will be things I might have done differently.

Q. Is there anything interesting going on that we, as residents, can not see? Something behind the scenes or under the cement that would be of interest? A. As you know and most residents would know, all parking is located underground, including the plaza area along Pennoyer. All the landscaping of the plaza along Pennoyer is located above parking.

Q. How much on-going maintenance will occur in order to keep everything running smooth and green? A. This building is similar to the other buildings in South Waterfront. Upkeep is always important and ongoing.

Q. Are you happy with the final result? A. We are very happy with the results and hope the district feels the same way.
As always, your comments are welcome. -HM

Did you all make it by AiR yesterday?

I happen to be out of town at the moment, but a reporter at large (thanks Mike) described what he saw on his visit to the studio yesterday during the making of a traditional sand mandala. The artists were a group of seven monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in India. (see photos)

He are his comments:

…the whole thing is pretty cool. They fill those hollow metal rods
with colored sand then run the other rod over the top, causing minute
volumes of sand to come out of the tip, painting as they go. You can
see the tupperware containers in the background, all full of
different colors of sand. Tonight (Tuesday) at 7 they finish it and clean it
up, passing out small bits of it to those in attendance. #

I find it very interesting and quite an honor that monks from India were inclined to visit our artist in residence studio to recreate a traditional meditation piece… and thought I would do a bit more research into just what it is they were doing. Here is what I found.

Mandalas
The Tibetan mandala is a tool for gaining wisdom and compassion and generally is depicted as a tightly balanced, geometric composition wherein deities reside. The principal deity is housed in the center. The mandala serves as a tool for guiding individuals along the path to enlightenment. Monks meditate upon the mandala, imagining it as a three-dimensional palace. The deities who reside in the palace embody philosophical views and serve as role models. The mandala’s purpose is to help transform ordinary minds into enlightened ones.

The Sand Mandala
Mandalas constructed from sand are unique to Tibetan Buddhism and are believed to effect purification and healing. Typically, a great teacher chooses the specific mandala to be created. Monks then begin construction of the sand mandala by consecrating the site with sacred chants and music. Next, they make a detailed drawing from memory. Over a number of days, they fill in the design with millions of grains of colored sand. At its completion, the mandala is consecrated. The monks then enact the impermanent nature of existence by sweeping up the colored grains and dispersing them in flowing water.

How Mandalas Heal
According to Buddhist scripture, sand mandalas transmit positive energies to the environment and to the people who view them. While constructing a mandala, Buddhist monks chant and meditate to invoke the divine energies of the deities residing within the mandala. The monks then ask for the deities’ healing blessings. A mandala’s healing power extends to the whole world even before it is swept up and dispersed into flowing water—a further expression of sharing the mandala’s blessings with all.

That’s all for now folks. As always.. comments welcome.
HM

Speaking of design… Those who attended the Second Annual South Waterfront Tour of Homes certainly got an eyeful. From Rick’s castle in the sky, to Billie’s fresh lime green and white John Ross cabana, and the stunning, art-filled red and black Krage penthouse; tourists admired finishes, noted details, evaluated differences and took in the range of diverse home environments created by neighbors of the South Waterfront.

I found comments and comparisons exchanged at Umpqua’s Home Tour after party quite intriguing and got to wondering if participant’s impressions were as diverse and personal as the residence’s themselves.

Here is the beginning of what I hope to become a rich compilation of thoughts, by us, about the homes that make up our community.

I invite you to send in answers to the following question:
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE HOME ON THE TOUR AND WHY? (If you were not able to attend the tour, feel free to comment on other SWF homes).

Here are some of the responses I’ve received, including my own.. I hope you will participate but sharing your thoughts via a comment to this blog or email.

* Rick Miller’s Castle in the Sky was my favorite experience on the tour.. not necessarily because the home is designed in my personal taste, but because I admire the owner’s ambition and passion to bring his vision for something extra-ordinary to life. I appreciate the meticulous attention to detail, orderly (walk-in) closet, rich fabrics and materials, and massive furnishings that even the largest adult could get lost in like a little kid. I loved that his place felt rich in stories and history, despite the buildings infancy.

I would like a weekend locked in there with a Jane Austen novel and good bottle of merlot! - Heidi McBride

* The hospitality shown by those who opened their homes to us was most impressive. The hosts were charming, welcoming, and gracious. Also impressive was the level of high art on display in each of the stylish residences. The tour provided an opportunity to view the different perspectives and views of the stunning, surrounding architecture and urban landscapes. My thanks go out to the resident hosts, Peggy Pusch, Umpqua Bank, and Neighborhood House for providing us with this wonderful opportunity. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
- Christopher Paillé, Atwater Place

*WEll John and Kathleen have my vote hands down. Lots of People? I liked last yrs better…
- anynomous

* (I neglected to clarify I was speaking of the Home Tour when I asked Carol name her favorite home and why, but loved her answer all the same).
The home that is the favorite for Rog and I is here at the Meriwether. Having a beautiful view of the Willamette River, Mt. Hood, the gorgeous sunrises, Ross Island and all of the creatures that fly and/or swim by is wonderful. Calms my soul! And, being an old Chicagoan, easy access to downtown Portland is ideal. Love that streetcar. I really like the closeness of our neighbors, too. For the most part, they are active, interesting and fun people. We have it all here. One more very important advantage that our SoWF neighborhood has is our easy access to OHSU’s Center for Health and Healing. Rog and I spend much of our mornings at the gym there. Keeps us feeling alive.

The home that was great as it was filled with our four kids was our home in Salem. It was very modern…all steel, glass, and cedar. It was located on a slight hillside among the trees. We had all sorts of little wildlife that frequented us since we were just a block from the Willamette River. We had a nice view of the State Capitol when the leaves dropped and opened up the sights of the downtown.
- Caryl

Tim Jennings, GM / Director, and Trevor Lewis, Wholesale Manager, of Mbantua Gallery (Australia) spent two days showing and selling aboriginal artwork at OHSU Center for Health and Healing last week. Partially a fund-raiser for the Heart Research Center, the unique offering drew members from the SWF community, the hospital and greater Portland Community.

It was interesting talking with Tim, who’s spent the last 16+ years passionately creating and growing his business, along with an appreciation for Aboriginal artwork and culture. He is intimately involved in relations with the artists and often part of the trips into the Utopia region every two weeks to collect and catalog work and deliver art supplies. Conditions in the villages are primitive by our standards; and I understand it’s not unlikely a dog, child, wind-blown plant and certainly dirt contribute to the exposed canvas while artists paint on the hard, dry ground.

I am told most Aboriginals in this region don’t read or write, and spoken English is also rare. Passed pictorially and orally their culture and customs revolve around mythology and rituals. Their artwork is an extension of their traditions. Each work of art embodies the artist’s dream and cannot be replicated by any other community member. The gallerists have learned much of the symbolism and are diligent in collecting the story to go along with each piece so that may be passed on to the future collector.

Not unlike the Aboriginal artist’s work, this month’s Artist in Residence program’s guest artist, Dana Lynn Louis, also honors dreams and their contribution to community. As you likely read in Linda K’s blog section, many residents of the South Waterfront generously shared their dreams with Dana, who, in turn, visually interpreted many of them in the from of drawings.

While the artists backgrounds and surroundings could not be more different, I am intrigued by some of the similarities I see between Dana’s beautiful drawings and some of the Aboriginal pieces; like the wonderful balance of delicacy and venerability expressed with in voice of confidence and strength which both seem to share. While the Aboriginal painter’s, varied dot patterns, subtle transitions in color and detail that mysteriously form into unexpected shapes and movement when viewed from afar subtly remind me of Dana’s fine, dramatic lines that are also filled with energy and emotion. From a distance, her works on paper appear very fragile, but up close you feel their strength. Their presence is unmistakable.

I hope you were able to take part in both Dana Lynn Louis’ presentation of works last Saturday evening, as well as the ‘Art from the Dreamtime’ display the preceding Thursday and Friday.

We are fortunate to have this cross-pollination of culture and art down here on the South Waterfront. I welcome your comments.

-hm

Welcome to the SWF’s brand new art and design blog spot. I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and observations on this site; and truly hope you will feel comfortable contributing and being an active part of it, as well. I’d love for this space to be a place we can discuss and share ideas openly.

Speaking of which…

I have been thinking about what to write for my first entry since last week when we were given our passwords… It’s exciting and a bit intimidating to look at this blank virtual canvas and wonder to put here… I wonder what we will create.

Pondering the empty space, I feel what I imagine many artists feel when they begin something new. I’m inspired and have lots of ideas, passion and energy around what’s happening down here in the South Waterfront and the role of art and design; yet I am not sure how my contribution will take form.

I liken the art-creation experience to the envisioning and building of this community. The developers, PDC-ers, architects, planners and labors are artists in their own right, who are consciously and collectively making one giant masterpiece out of nothing. A blank canvas. And they are not the only ones; those of us living and working down here participate in the process of creation daily. Just by being, we bring color, texture, movement and a fairly artful social performance dimension to the SWF, as well.

While we might not consider ourselves artists or designers, our involvement as creatives, connoisseurs and participants is essential to making this place sing.

When you think about the way most thriving, desirable and interesting communities came to be, it’s often a direct result of artist’s first cultivating the place. In the case of The Pearl or N. Mississippi in Portland, or Greenwich Village, North Beach S.F. or East London, artists and creatives transformed the area with their imagination, talent and energy. (Of course, they are typically priced out once the area is made desirable, but that’s a completely different story and not at all my point).

My observation is that the South Waterfront did not have the advantage of being groomed organically over time. Much like a suburban development, we went from being an unconditioned piece of property to a mini-metropolis (well, micro) in a matter of years. Yet, we are not at all suburban. In fact, we are very urban and real. So what are we? New urban? Designerly new urban with more nature?

I see us as a demographic medley of people with varying degrees of artistic talent or vision, who are (like it or not) creatively cultivating and shaping this place. With each new retailer, resident, tree or water feature, bike rack, dog, trash can, herb garden, and wine tasting, we are deciding who and what we are. In lieu of a decades worth of artists’ cultivation, we are the artists.. defining, breathing life, making community.

Pretty exciting, right?

-hm