Architecture

Architecture, landmark buildings, public art, and the design shaping the places we live.

Discover Da Vinci’s Stars & Explore the Essence of Space in Corten Caisson’s New Book ‘HEARTH’

Geometric circles, intersecting lines and a spiral over the chest and orb in a Salvator Mundi detail illustrating Hearth.

Embarking on a profound journey through the realms of philosophy, architecture, and the fundamental nature of energy, “Exploring the Essence of Space, Architecture, and Energy: A Philosophical Journey” delves into the depths of human understanding and perception. Through meticulous introspection, retrospection, and re-inspection, the narrative navigates through ancient wisdom and modern insights, inviting readers to ponder age-old questions with renewed curiosity and contemplation. From questioning the essence of space to unraveling the intricate relationship between form and material, the story unfolds as a captivating exploration of the interconnectedness of ideas and the boundless potential of human intellect. Join us on this intellectual odyssey as we journey through the corridors of thought and embark on a quest for deeper understanding and enlightenment.

New Book ‘Hearth’ by Corten Caisson: Discover the Stars in Da Vinci’s ‘Salvator Mundi’ and Explore the Essence of Space

Hearth book cover by Corten Caisson, featuring a detail of Salvator Mundi.

“Hearth” delves deep into the heart of one of the most profound questions humanity has grappled with: What is space? Through a masterful blend of philosophy and cosmology, Corten Caisson embarks on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding this fundamental concept. From ancient thinkers to modern-day visionaries, the book traces the historical and philosophical evolution of our understanding of space, inviting readers to contemplate its essence beyond common intuitions.

Donatello Puzzle: The Deposition of Christ and High Altar at Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua

Current arrangement of the high altar at the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua, with bronze statues, reliefs and a crucifix.

As part of the exhibition dedicated to Donatello at the Victoria and Albert Museum (“Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance,” which took place from February 11, 2023, to June 11, 2023), a conference organized by the V&A Research Institute was held in London. It focused on the Medici sculptor par excellence, the only one honored with burial in the crypt of the Basilica of the Florentine dynasty of San Lorenzo. Speeches were scheduled over two days and saw the presence of the most important specialists in the international arena. They took stock of the studies dedicated to the Master, which, despite having a very extensive bibliography, still leave many questions open.

Notre-Dame Cathedral: Rising from the Ashes with Global Solidarity

Notre-Dame Cathedral during the 2019 fire.

In the heart of Paris, where history and artistry intertwine, a monumental effort is underway, one that embodies the resilience of human spirit and international solidarity. The Notre-Dame Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that stood witness to centuries of history, faced a catastrophic trial on April 15, 2019, when a fierce blaze consumed its iconic spire and wooden roof, sending shockwaves across the globe.

VESTIGES OF THE FUTURE: Photography of Jean-Marc Yersin

Black-and-white photograph of La Tour Rouge at Julier Pass, with tall arched openings and snowy mountains.

Former co-director of the Swiss Camera Museum, Jean-Marc Yersin started out as a professional photographer.

Since 2018, he has returned to his first passion, continuing a cycle of images that inspired him thirty years earlier. He frames tightly, in black and white, motorway structures, factories and mountain buildings.

The compositions are geometric, contrasted, sharp. There is no human presence. The forms are abstracted from their functions. The silence is absolute.

These are photographs under tension. They show the conflict between the built environment and nature, between concrete and the landscapes.

Said Dokins’ light installation ‘Refraktur’ dazzles audience at the 2022 Querétaro Experimental International Public Art Festival in Mexico | VIDEO

Refraktur glowing blue beside an illuminated bell tower at dusk.

Throughout the summer months of June until September, Mexican contemporary artist Said Dokins presents ‘Refraktur’ as part of the Querétaro Experimental International Public Art Festival.

The festival will show the work of over 200 artists across a wide range of disciplines, including music, theatre, dance, performance and sculpture. 

‘Refraktur’ is a site-specific installation built out of glass, metal, reflexive materials and LEDs that will be placed on the Madero boulevard in the center of the Mexican city of Queretaro.

Exclusive Interview with Nationally Acclaimed Public Sculptor Aaron T Stephan | Part 2

Aaron T Stephan’s untitled installation of stacked concrete blocks and red ridged forms against a white brick wall.

Nationally acclaimed American public sculptor Aaron T Stephan lives and works in Portland, Maine.

His work presents a wry look at the world around him – focusing on the complex web of information carried by everyday materials and objects.

Stephan has completed over 25 major public works in municipal spaces throughout the United States.

His work is noted for his diverse approach to form spanning from a life-sized orchestra of plastic snap-to parts, gestural streetlights, and gracefully curved ladders reminiscent of DNA.

Stephan’s public works can be found in the collections of cities across the nation.

Exclusive Interview with Nationally Acclaimed Public Sculptor Aaron T Stephan | Part 1

Red block-shaped sculpture with horizontal ridges, from Aaron T Stephan’s Untitled (2016).

Nationally acclaimed American public sculptor Aaron T Stephan lives and works in Portland, Maine.

His work presents a wry look at the world around him – focusing on the complex web of information carried by everyday materials and objects.

Stephan has completed over 25 major public works in municipal spaces throughout the United States.

His work is noted for his diverse approach to form spanning from a life-sized orchestra of plastic snap-to parts, gestural streetlights, and gracefully curved ladders reminiscent of DNA.

Stephan’s public works can be found in the collections of cities across the nation.

650 LADDERS – Aaron T Stephan’s Sculpture “Paths Rising” Installed at Tampa International Airport

View directly upward into Paths Rising, with hundreds of tapered wooden ladders radiating inside a gold circular oculus.

Nationally acclaimed artist Aaron T Stephan revealed a significant new public installation titled “Paths Rising” in the Main Terminal at Tampa International Airport.

This 30 ft. wide suspended sculpture consists of over 650 tapered ladders framed by a glowing oculus of gold leaf.

“Paths Rising” will serve as an exciting new anchor point for arrivals and departures from Tampa Bay.

The work is inspired by the vibrant culture and natural beauty of the region – while its form, color, and overall dynamic speaks to the airport’s theme of atmosphere.

The Bones of the Earth

Close view of sculpted female figures supporting a stone porch at the Acropolis of Athens.

Stone is demanding in its application to art and architecture, requiring great effort and discipline to procure, move, and fashion. It is a subtractive process, where any mistake can prove fatal to the intended product, requiring meticulous care and attention to detail. The inherent properties of stone are that it is insulative, with generally low heat conductivity, and durable, with high compressive strength. As with all things in life, while it retains varying degrees of vulnerability to weathering and deterioration, stone is generally considered to be one of the most resistant materials in existence. These properties lend themselves to a compelling philosophical argument, that those who wish to live a life or build a world of enduring strength and beauty, should not only employ the use of stone in their craft, but model themselves after it as well.