Comments on: Been there, cherished that

By: Tatyana

Tatyana — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:29:55 +0000

Of course it does – precisely because of its classical form. It’s balanced, it’s harmonious, it’s symmetrical: the design is intended to spell “peace and quiet” since Ancient Greeks. The colors are light, contrast is not sharp, columns are tall, it’s filled with air and elevation of spirit.
It’s timeless.

What you call “traditionalist” came much later. Even as an inspiration for the Mission style the paneling, the low ceilings, the dark saturated colors came in Middle Ages, along with self-flagellating tendencies of Christian faith.

I don’t doubt for a second that courtyard provided a relief, a resting place for your disturbed spirit – but not because it was in between old and new. It was because it is a reminder of even older times that the “traditionalist” library – times of free-spirited and harmonious antiquity.

By: CGHill

CGHill — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:38:11 +0000

The Zone is such because it’s a buffer between the old traditionalist library and the suburban train station serving as its annex: while the courtyard’s individual virtues are considerable, and obvious, what mattered to me was the fact that it stood athwart this tiny stretch of history and whispered “Stop here for a moment.”

By: Tat

Tat — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:15:33 +0000

“Between the old and the new”?
Italianate courtyard, built to resemble Renaissance Florence, is much older in style that Mission gooseneck lamps.
The light of the “twilight zone” comes straight from 14th century.

By: Blair

Blair — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:23:47 +0000

Hey Mr. Hill. I really like your description of the courtyard – it is truly a peaceful place and one I enjoy visiting myself. Hope the pictures were able to take you back. I will be photographing the courtyard and library more throughout the semester and will let you know when I have more to see.

Thank you.