Category Archives: Architecture

Fabcraft the focus of January 17 Art of Architecture lecture

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Perez

This month brings two editions of the “Art of Architecture” lecture series.  Tomorrow night (Tuesday, January 17), Santiago R. Perez will discuss Fabcraft: Crafting the Future with Digital Fabrication.  The program begins at 6:00pm in the lecture hall of the Arkansas Arts Center.

Santiago R. Pérez is the 21st Century Chair in Integrated Practice and Assistant Professor of Architecture at Fay Jones School of Architecture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.  He will discuss recent work emerging from the new advanced fabrication, or FabLab, facility, which Pérez directs, at the Fay Jones School of Architecture.

The FabLab is under development in conjunction with the acquisition of new computer-controlled equipment, including a 5-axis CNC (computer numerically controlled) mill and steel plasma cutter, and the anticipated arrival of a fully articulated robot. These new initiatives are part of the ongoing research and teaching focus of Perez, who joined the school’s faculty in fall 2010.

Pérez will introduce the public to emerging digital fabrication projects, methods and tools, highlighting both current projects and recently exhibited or published work. The presentation will focus on innovation utilizing digital fabrication, computer numerically controlled tools and rapid prototyping. In particular, Pérez will discuss the relationship between traditional craft culture and making, and advanced, computationally assisted fabrication, toward a new confluence that he has termed “fabcraft.”

The term fabcraft can be understood as a new merger of craft and fabrication that combines the best of both worlds – the insights gained from knowledge of traditional craft processes, mixed with computational design and digital fabrication. The emergence of these robotic and computationally assisted tools in architecture is revolutionizing both the teaching and practice of architecture, and the increasing academic focus on making as an integral part of the design process.

The 2011-2012 Art of Architecture lecture series is sponsored by the Architecture and Design Network, with support from the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Arkansas Arts Center and the Fay Jones School of Architecture.

Twelve 12s for Twelfth Night in ’12

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Today is Twelfth Night for 2012.  In honor of Twelfth in ’12, today’s entry features 12 photographs of 12s found throughout Little Rock.

Hillcrest mailboxes

Detail of a room number at the Capital Hotel.

Reserved parking spot downtown

Detail of old Cave's Jewelers clock downtown

Detail of height restriction sign downtown

Payment slot at parking lot downtown

1200 block of West 12th Street

Detail of clock at River Cities Travel Center

Detail of a price sign at Heights Kroger

Parking lot sign at UALR

Detail of a merchandise sign at Barnes & Noble

Year sticker on license plate

iPhotos 2011: The Arty

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Like many people, the Little Rock Culture Vulture has an iPhone and takes many iPhotos. Yesterday, today and tomorrow, the entries highlight some of his favorite personal iPhotos taken in Little Rock during 2011. The are divided into the Good, the Odd and the Arty.

Today focuses on The Arty. These 11 from ’11 are presented chronologically. These were mistakes, but upon reflection some turned out interesting photos in their own right.

Rain reflected on the dashboard of the Culture Vulture's Vue - April 2011

Capital Hotel lobby - May 2011

 

Tired Rep carpet pre-renovation at last night prior to renovation - June 2011

 

Inside Clinton Library - June 2011

Little Rock Wind Symphony Flag Day Concert in MacArthur Park by MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History - June 2011

Downtown lights - July 2011

Light and shadow - Little Rock - October 2011

Wally Allen Ballroom at Statehouse Convention Center for 50th anniversary party of Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods - October 2011

John Willis and friends concert on UALR Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall stage - November 2011

Floor of Capital Hotel lobby - November 2011

Capital Hotel exterior decorated for Christmas by Tipton Hurst - December 2011

A Capitol Christmas in Arkansas

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When the Culture Vulture was just a Baby Vulture, he, his parents and sister would go to the State Capitol building to look at the decorations on Christmas night.  Over the years, the Office of Secretary of State has changed the decorations.  He remembers the alternating red and green lights on the dome during the Bryant (Kelly and Winston) era. He also remembers the disco dome during Bill McCuen’s tenure. Thankfully during the Priest, Daniels and now Martin era, the building is outlined in white lights.

The nativity scene has also changed in location and materials having once been plaster or plastic and at the top of the stairs in front of the brass doors, later moving to several different places on the grounds. It is now had carved wood.  The interior decorations have changed over the years as well. 

Whatever the decorations may be, it is wonderful to see families of various sizes from all corners of the state come to their state capitol building to experience the wonders of the season.

A Capital Christmas in 2011

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Contrary to popular belief, the Little Rock Culture Vulture doesn’t live at the Capital Hotel.  But since it is a hub of cultural performances, it is appropriate to feature it on this site.

During the holiday season, the halls are decked and the walls festooned with greenery, lights and ribbons.  This year, in addition to the tall tree in the lobby, there is a gingerbread village with two trains.

Performances from a variety of schools and other groups are ensuring that the sounds of Christmas cascade throughout the colonnades in addition to the sights of lights.

 

QQA – Festivus

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Festivus Founder Frank Costanza inspects the original Festivus pole

An organization dedicated to historic preservation is making history by hosting the first ever official Festivus party in Little Rock.

Festivus is a festival for the rest of us.

No Festivus is complete without the airing of grievences or the feats of strength.  There will also be the official ceremonial pole which has no decorations because “tinsel is too distracting.”

When: Tuesday, December 13 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Where: Concordia Hall at the Arkansas Studies Institute

401 President Clinton Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

 Tickets are $50 and available at the door.  The price includes food and open bar.

Proceeds benefit the preservation programs of the Quapaw Quarter Association.

 

Sculpture Sunday: Holidays – Bank of America Christmas Tree

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Since the Worthen Bank days in the 1970s, this building in downtown Little Rock designed by Noland Blass has been lit in December to resemble a Christmas tree on three sides. Though it has gone through two Worthen logos, Boatmen’s Bank, NationsBank and finally(?) Bank of America, this holiday lighting has remained. It is a beacon in downtown that is visible throughout the county at times.

In recent years the building has lit up for other things, most notably a pink ribbon in October for Race for the Cure.  But for 25+ years the only time it deviated from the usual white lighting was during the Christmas tree.  Because of its use of light and architecture it is a temporary public art installation of sorts.