Self-Made Man

On my cycle ride: Self-Made Man. Perched atop a parking garage in the Minneapolis Marcy-Holmes neighborhood, it’s easy to miss this sculpture.

Categorized as Arts

Playing with Fire

Thoughts were provoked at the Guthrie’s “Frankenstein—Playing with Fire.” The Frankenstein novel was published 200 years ago; applying technologies while ignoring morality damages our society today.

Crystal Court

Walked through the downtown Minneapolis IDS Center’s gorgeous Crystal Court. Opened in 1972, Philip Johnson’s masterpiece still feels fresh.

Awaiting Rebirth

Walked past the dilapidated 1884 Commutator Brass Foundry Co. Building in the Minneapolis Warehouse District. Delighted to learn it will be preserved and incorporated into new construction.

Unforgiven

Watched “Yurusarezaru mono” (“Unforgiven”) set in Japan’s brutal 19th century frontier, Hokkaido. It parallels America’s West: settlers (from Honshu), indigenous people (Ainu), and destitute Samurai rather than washed-up gunslingers. In 2013 I visited this 1870’s frontier home.

Tangletowns

Explored Tangletowns in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, where the streets wind and ignore the grid. Found this 1887 Cass Gilbert home in St. Paul’s Tangletown. Later, Gilbert was the architect for the MInnesota Capitol, the Woolworth Building in New York, and the US Supreme Court.

Louis Sullivan Ironwork

Paused at this ironwork above the entrance to a Target store in Chicago’s loop. Legendary architect, Louis Sullivan, created this for the Carson Pirie Scott department store which originally occupied this building.

Two American Indian Galleries

Visited two American Indian galleries: All My Relations and Two Rivers. Relished a slow-cooked bison melt at Gatherings Cafe in the Minneapolis American Indian Center.

Categorized as Arts