Some Walls in Oberlin 21
May 25, 2018
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This entry was posted on May 25, 2018 by Linda Grashoff. It was filed under Academic Building, Built Environment and was tagged with Allen Memorial Art Museum, Cass Gilbert Building, Oberlin, photography, Robert Venturi Addition, wall, window.
Romancing Reality 
Very impressive. I admire that kink of ambition.
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May 25, 2018 at 1:01 PM
In case you didn’t read the tags, this is the Allen Memorial Art Museum on the Oberlin College campus. The original building, which shows on the left, was designed by Cass Gilbert in 1917. The addition, on the right, is by Robert Venturi, built in 1977. The Venturi addition is very controversial around here and with alumni of the college. Some people call it the Purina Dog Chow addition. If you don’t remember what the old Purina Dog Chow packaging looked like, go here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-Vintage-ad-for-Purina-Cog-Chow-Beef-Bacon-Cheese-Dog-Food-060713-/400520359346?roken=cUgayN.
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May 25, 2018 at 1:40 PM
I enjoyed the image, then read Ken’s remark, then read the tags and figured out that the checkered part was the Venturi addition. Then I read your reply and wasn’t too surprised to hear there was kvetching about it (What, Purina doesn’t look that way any more?). It does make for a really interesting photo, the way you framed it, because you can’t tell for sure what’s going on. Nicely done! And happy weekend to you!
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May 25, 2018 at 4:53 PM
Yes, the things you learn (dog-food packaging) when doing a blog. Many Oberlinians would say that you can’t tell for sure what’s going on no matter how the addition is framed. . . Thanks, and you have a happy weekend, too.
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May 25, 2018 at 7:43 PM
Love this >>> love the warm reds and browns, and love the wealth of patterns and the reflection too – wonderful! Could possibly see it rotated 90 degrees anticlockwise too. A 🙂
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May 26, 2018 at 5:28 AM
Thank you, Adrian. I’m glad you like it. I’ve never been one to disparage the addition, but I understand others’ dislike of it. I see what you mean about rotating the image. Interesting.
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May 26, 2018 at 7:41 AM
For me the context is irrelevant – it just appeals to me as a ‘graphic’ that works. Two geometric variations using that warm red/brown colour with the clever addition of a contrasting window that unites the two halves through the subdued reflection. You know I like this sort of image, Linda. I’ve been to London three times in the last two weeks and have a bundle of window reflections to share!
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May 28, 2018 at 1:16 PM
Happy you like this one, Andy. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your window reflections, which I always enjoy.
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May 28, 2018 at 2:21 PM