Skates and Arts

What's the sixth anniversary? I don't know, but roller skates sound good, no? Maybe with a little practice . . .


Meanwhile, our recent visit to Kansas City gave us the chance to view the incredible new Bloch Building, Steven Holl's new expansion of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. It's been getting rave reviews from all over (though some static at home, of course). The glass boxes follow the hill down from the original museum, do an excellent job of providing the natural lighting for the art work, and frame the original building wonderfully. Fabulous.

New Yorker critic Paul Goldberger calls it "one of the best museums of the last generation": read more.
Meanwhile New York Times writer Nicolai Ouroussoff says it's "a near-perfect work." Read more.
PS, both of those articles have slide-shows that I highly recommend.


In front of the original building, with an excellent giant shuttlecock by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen


Mimi, with the new (right) and old (left) buildings peeking out behind her



Closer view of the two buildings



Standing on top of the (underground) front desk of the Bloch building, with the original building behind me



On the inside


Now, we also had an excellent visit in Lawrence--saw Jesse, Nathan, Aaron, Scott, Haley Harrison, and Tom and Rodd. It was a near-perfect weekend; perhaps our best anniversary celebration ever.
Alas, I forgot the camera at every turn, so you'll have to take my word for it.


Upon our return to the Quad Cities, we were lucky enough to see Wilco--and from the fifth row!

cell phone photo (I am trying to break your heart)





Lastly, Mimi's getting really good on those skates; enjoy: