Art Gallery of Alberta: Where Mediocrity Goes to Die
October 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
My latest feature on outstanding Edmonton architecture takes us to a wonderful place that I’ve only just recently gotten to know – the Art Gallery of Alberta, or AGA for short.
The AGA is a remarkable building. From its west and south facing sides, the passerby is treated to a fascinating combination of curves, sharp angles, steel and glass. I was curious about how this concept was arrived at, and found my answer on the AGA site:
Taking inspiration from the city’s unique northern environment and urban grid, architect Randall Stout juxtaposed angular windows against a winding 190-metre steel ribbon that references the forms of the North Saskatchewan River and Aurora Borealis.
Having lived in Edmonton for most of my adult life, and having enjoyed literally thousands of miles running, walking and cycling in Edmonton’s amazing river valley, I can see why Randall Stout took his inspiration from the North Saskatchewan!
Be sure to pay the AGA a visit. It’s lack of mediocrity will be sure to inspire!
Double Tunnel Vision – Soon to be a book cover!
October 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I was super-excited to get an email last week from an author requesting permission to use this photo (which I call “Double Tunnel Vision”) of Edmonton Transit LRT tunnels for the cover of his soon-to-be-published book which, in his words is:
“an extended literary-critical analysis of time travel stories (fiction, film, pulp magazines, the works) and their actual or potential connections to several other academic topics”
Since I love science and sci-fi, I quickly responded that I was excited to be a part of the book (sounds fascinating!) I’ll share more when I learn more details (publication date, availability etc). Click here to view my gallery of ETS/LRT photos.
Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton
October 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I’m continuing to have boatloads of fun photographing outstanding Edmonton architecture. Today’s victim was/is the Shaw Conference Centre or, “The Shaw” as most Edmontonians have come to know it. The Shaw was designed by local architect James Wensley and opened in 1983 (Wow, I can’t believe it’s been that long!). It’s home to countless special events, corporate dinners, concerts and (you guessed it) conferences.
I took this photo just today. It was a long time coming – a shot that took a fews tries (over several different days) to get ‘just right’. I always planned it as a follow-up to the one below it (blog post here), which I took last year. Click here to view my Shaw Conference Centre Photo Gallery.
Grant MacEwan University City Centre Campus, Edmonton
October 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Continuing with my interest in photographing Edmonton’s outstanding architecture, today’s post features the Grant MacEwan City Centre Campus. The university is named for noted educator and politician Dr. John Walter Grant MacEwan. Initially a community college (Grant MacEwan Community College or, GMCC), construction of the downtown campus began in the 1990′s. Its development added greatly as a magnet to Edmonton’s core, leading the way for other numerous residential and commercial developments. Grant MacEwan University is truly another Edmonton architectural jewel. You can view more photos I’ve taken of the university at this link.
