Monday, May 19, 2014

Something old 
                          Something new...


There is archeological evidence 
that the first settlement of Jerusalem was 
in about 4500 BCE
making it one of the most ancient cities in the world

JERUSALEM
Crossroads of three religions it is the
capital of the modern state of Israel
established in 1948

Narrow streets wind through the old city


 to treasured monuments of three faiths


CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE

THE WESTERN WALL
...where all are welcome to tuck their prayers to God between the stones



POPE JOHN PAUL II


THE DOME OF THE ROCK
which has sadly been made off limits  to non Muslims


but you can wander the streets in the  Arab Sector

and experience the sights and the smells

For a taste of Jerusalem start cooking your way through 
this latest cult cookbook with flavors as ancient as the place 
they originated and as modern as today's foodie culture demands

Climb to the roof of the Austrian Hospice
 for a great view of the old city

Enjoy a Viennese apple strudel as another reward for the climb


The ancient walls of the old city are well viewed 
from the Jewish Cemetery
on the Mount of Olives
a burial site for over 3000 years
Small stones are laid on graves in respect
and remembrance

An young Orthodox Jewish boy wears a "kippa" 
 and the traditional  long sideburns
along with his modern back pack

Modern life blends in seamless harmony with the antiquities 
of the City of Gold

The British had foresight to preserve the character
 of a developing ancient city,
setting stringent restrictions back in 1918 

THE MALMILLA MALL
Only native stone could be used for new construction 
No building at all...adjoining the ancient walls
 so as to preserve unobstructed views

 Israelis have honored and preserved those restrictions


Shopping is a national 'sport'
wander through the modern mall 

past original art on display
as live orchestras play

Old buildings have been carefully reconstructed
each stone numbered for accurate replacement
prior to dismantling

ONE SINGLE  structure in Jerusalem has been exempt from the native stone restriction

YAD VASHEM
The Holocaust Museum 
Honoring  six million Jews who perished in WWII


ARCHITECT-MOSHE SAFDIE

Cutting through HAR HAZIKRON
(HILL OF MEMORIES)
Re-enforced concrete represents 
the "unfinished" lessons of The Holocaust

Winding  through the dark displays
 shafts of light piercing  at intervals

POWERFUL

ENVELOPING

EMOTIONALLY HEAVY



 culminating in light and  optimism
as the structure opens to daylight 
and reaches toward the Judean Hills in the distance

This optimistic spirit  is nowhere more evident then in
defiantly boisterous Tel-Aviv where the energy is electrifying.

Almost like a "...non-stop party" 
Raphael Kadushin-
National Geographic Traveler

Tel-Aviv is a cafe society  

Streets are lined with outdoor cafes and restaurants 
 full at all hours of the day and night

Everybody seems vibrant and beautiful 

ARCHITECT-RICHARD MEIER
Modern skyscrapers pierce the blue sky

Restoration of old structures continues at the
 fast pace that seems the norm in this seaside city 
where everything looks to the future despite
the constant threat of rocket attack

Bauhaus architecture is being feverishly restored






 housing boutique hotels like the  
MONTEFIORE

with slick, modern interiors
that nod to the innovative high tech mentality
of the locals

THE DELICATESSEN
and other chic eateries
have blossomed over the past decade


The best of everything from all over the world
 is now available
in what was in the recent past literally 

"a desert"


Necessity is the mother of invention


With little need for raincoats 
in the Mediterranean climate of her new homeland
German refugee, Lea Gottleib turned her talents to swimwear in 1958.
Her designs and colorations were innovative 
as well as flattering with her introduction of Spandex.

GOTTEX 1961

GOTTEX 2014

Water is precious in a desert land

With the development of  NETAFIM-drip irrigation
and desalination the Israeli's have created 
the fruit and vegetable basket of Europe




A typical Israeli breakfast always includes 
a tomato and cucumber salad fresh from the fields


Traditional Mediterranean food 
Hummus- Tahina-Falafel
Pita Bread so light and fluffy 
 like nothing we can get here in the US
It's the REAL thing ! 

Museums beautifully curated  from antiquities
to modern design are housed in unique structures


 THE DESIGN MUSEUM-HOLON
ARCHITECT-RON ARAD
ribbons of cor-ten steel wrap the permanent
display of Arad's work 
who himself described his furniture
as "virtue out of necessity
functional
to whimsical

Visiting exhibits of design are always changing
HAT BY STEPHEN JONES
DESIGN MUSEUM HOLON

Stephen Jones hats on parade 
Forgive me but I digress- 

couldn't resist including this memorable
fashion statement by the Royal Princesses of Great Britain

FASHION CROSSROADS
in the ancient port city of Akko
north of modern Tel-Aviv
Akko's ancient port

The Fleur-de-Lis recently unearthed from beneath a modern
Akko courtyard has confirmed the presence of French crusaders
in the Holy Land
11th century groin vaults in the dining hall of the crusaders

A young nation  only 65 years old,
 in an ancient land 

Something old something new

The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle

A fascinating read that will get your mind racing
Some of the most advanced and brilliant 
technological accomplishments have been birthed
in this brave new nation

Inspirational
Don't be surprised if you become an advocate 
of required military service 


The United States is also a relatively young nation. We too admire and encourage entrepreneurial ventures but we have had some dismal failings in respecting our architectural heritage 
PENN STATION NYC 


 ARCHITECTS-McKIM MEADE & WHITE



Inspired by the Roman baths of Caracalla 
the historical landmark survived a mere 56 years
Despite  desperate protestations of architects, historians, 
and the general public

Historical preservation was in its infancy in the 1960's

money carried the day
A national treasure  was torn down to make way
for a modern high rise 

ADA LOUISE HUXTABLE 

Ms. Huxtable , then Architectural Critic for The New York Times
protested loudly from her column but to no avail

Her ability to share her enthusiasm for what was good and to call out what was bogus
won her the First Pulitzer prize for Criticism

"Tossed into the Seacaucus graveyard are about twenty-five centuries of classical culture and the standards of style, elegance, and grandeur that it gave to the dreams and constructions of Western man." 

Jules Guerin murals covered by thick layers of soot 
where also buried in that watery grave.
Six huge panels depicting the Pennsylvania landscape 
installed at soaring heights 


by staff originally trained as sailors
used to climbing riggings in heavy seas.


TRADERS MURAL-SAN FRANCISCO RESERVE
by Jules Guerin

The artist was quoted in The New York Times in 1910
" I tell you I've worried as much as I've worked since undertaking this job. 
I don't want any widows made."

New York City suffered a profound cultural wound with the demise of Penn Station
but perhaps Penn Station died so other historical treasures could live...

 GRAND CENTRAL STATION
 spared the wrecking ball in 1973
has been restored to all it's former glory

and yet ...

there have been recent plans to demolish 
The Stacks 
New York Public Library
ARCHITECTS-McKIM MEADE & WHITE

It is not that our memories are short or that we no longer care
It's very simply that someone stood to make a whole lot of $$$$$

Money does indeed talk

As reconstruction costs hit $300,000,000.00  the Library Trustees changed their minds
and were saved from their own short sightedness.

Plans for demolition have been scrapped !!!!!

Many thanks to a vibrant citizenry  led in no small part
 by the late Ms. Huxtable 
who deserve much credit for the cancellation of plans 

"devised out of a profound ignorance of, or willful disregard for
not only the library's original concept and design, but also the folly of altering its meaning and mission, and compromising its historical and  architectural integrity."

Once gone
National Treasures are  not possible to replace

Adieu
Ada Louise Huxtable 
1921-2013
An irreplaceable National Treasure

With great respect,
Rela