Monday, July 28, 2008

Salk Institute

Last year, I watched My Architect, a documentary on Louis Khan. It was a pretty compelling story about his path as an architect and his personal life between his 3 families. There were some amazing shots of his buildings.... most memorable were the Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban in Bangladesh and the Salk Institute in La Jolla. I would definitely love to visit his buildings if I could...especially in India!

But on a recent visit to the San Diego area, I actually stayed in La Jolla. The Salk Insitute was close enough to walk to, so I trekked on over there. When I arrived, a campus security guard informed me the interior was closed to the public on the weekend, but I wormed my way in. A researcher on his way in to work was kind enough to let me in to take some photos. Really glad I did, because I would have missed out on seeing the "endless" fountain in person.

First impression of the Institute was how cold and warm it felt at the same time. The straight lines and edges of the buildings seemed utilitarian, but modern. The symmetry and balance of the buildings and elements made it so easy to take wonderful photos of the Institute.

If there is anything to see at all in La Jolla, it would be the Salk Institute.











PS. i AM going to NYC to see Olafur Eliasson's Waterfalls!

Thursday, July 24, 2008