Thursday, August 30, 2012

Chicagoesque

It's not a model of a stylised, city skyline with skyscrapers competing for space.  It's not a piece of the set from Fritz Lang's Metropolis Sci-Fi flick.  Nor is it the latest in computer chip technology.  The architectural style has been described as "Chicagoesque". it was constructed between the wars in 1924. it's geometry is evocative and modern. I pointed the lens straight up and "click" took this photo of a segment of the crystalline plaster ceiling from the Capitol Theatre in Swanston Street, Melbourne.  The theatre was designed by Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony and is considered one of their finest works. Hats off to them for creating this Melbourne Gem. Cheers J.
Here's a link to the some photographs of the full ceiling.
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11 comments:

  1. Lucy Corrander : PhotosAugust 30, 2012 at 4:37 PM

    I'm not entirely sure I understand this. If it's flat, it's fascinating. If it's 3D - I'm glad I don't have to do the dusting!

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    1. JoeAugust 30, 2012 at 4:45 PM

      Hi Lucy ... its 3D but is horizontal suspended from the ceiling. I'm with you on the dusting.

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  2. roentareAugust 30, 2012 at 4:59 PM

    This picture is really cool. Almost like domino in arrays.

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  3. Oakland Daily PhotoAugust 30, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    Chicagoesque? Haven't heard that word before. To me, I'm thinking deco. Is that a synonym for this style. Hard to imagine a ceiling done this way. Gravity defying.

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  4. Lincoln EyeAugust 30, 2012 at 7:31 PM

    Excellent ceiling - do you have a wider view so we can understand the context of this detail? Also is that the Burley Griffin of Canberra lake fame?

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    1. JoeAugust 31, 2012 at 8:31 AM

      Hi and thanks for your comment. I have included a link with some photographs of the full ceiling. Oh .. and yes it is the Walter Burley Griffin of Canberra fame.

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  5. DianneAugust 30, 2012 at 8:01 PM

    Very inovative and I should imagine it would be considered great for acoustics .... At first glance I thought you'd hopped a plane to New York.

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  6. Luis GomezAugust 30, 2012 at 11:48 PM

    What a delightful shot Joe!

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  7. Genie -- Paris and BeyondAugust 31, 2012 at 12:00 AM

    Gorgeous photo of this amazing ceiling. I would never have guessed "a ceiling" and love the way you teased us with what is is "not." Yes, always look up!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  8. Taken For GrantedAugust 31, 2012 at 3:19 AM

    Wonderful patterns and light in your great shot. But I would think it more like Hong Kong than Chicago. Of course the artist was projecting into an urban future, and was not far wrong. Looks contemporary rather than early 1920s.

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  9. Doug HickokSeptember 1, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    Awesome looking-up shot Joe!

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