We've devoted many hours to the rotunda of the Wisconsin state capitol. Today, we explored another state's capitol — a place of mystery...
... professionalism...
... nonpartisan unicamerality...
... and impressive masculinity....
January 6, 2012
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Missouri
nonpartisan unicamerality can only mean one place: Lincoln, Nebraska
Yeah, that was a *huge* clue.
oh, yeah. you win. I was in the ballpark at least. Wow, state caps are purty. why do teachers bother taking grade schoolers?
One man's rotunda is another's child porn, I guess.
Imagine a newly commissioned government funded public display with that motif these days.
You know you dig "impressive masculinity"... :)
"You know you dig "impressive masculinity"... :)"
Aw shucks.
And I do mean... shucks.
http://capitol.org/building
By "impressive masculinity" did you mean the image of what is popularly known as "The Penis of the Plains"?
To Cock A Single Chamber
Is in Firearm Terms a Danger
But on the Floor of Nebraska's StateHouse
As Shown in the Photo by Althouse
The Tile Arranger Without Any Danger Cocked the Chamber.
Somebody with a wicked sense of humor coined the name Omaha World Herald... I hope.
Notice how the artist gives us a somewhat less than full monty.
You're standing there saying to yourself "OK, so I'm not a porn star. What else is new?" Then the mosaic answers back "Hey, there could be inches more of it I'm not showing... and that's flaccid length. Go home and shoot yourself, girlyman."
I like the mosaic. It reminded me of Hagia Sophia, which I visited while in the USN. If you're ever travel to the Mediterranean Sea, it's one of three things I recommend.
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-hagia-sophia
"...and impressive masculinity".
It's still OK to notice?
Thought we were expected to marvel at the "muscularity"?
But if you do make it to Missouri's you should go into the Senate conference room.
http://www.wpamurals.com/JeffCity.htm
When The Blonde and I drove through NE, they had a 4% sales tax and 75 mph speed limit.
God's country.
Didn't get to see the Capitol or any of its anatomy.
Welcome to Lincoln, Ann. Is there any single reason why you're in town?
Hildreth Meiere (the only woman on the design team) is responsible for the buildings murals.
From her bio at the capitol's website:
"Up until her death in 1961 she acknowledged the Nebraska State Capitol as her crowning achievement."
I bet! I also bet she had a specific tableau in mind.
you gave it away before we could ever flail in our attempts.
How does that non-partisan thing work, and work out?
Regards — Cliff
. and impressive masculinity....
(sniff) damn right, (sniff)
I appreciate the "non traditional " capitol bldgs. (I'm speaking of the exterior, not interior.)
And speaking of "non traditional " state capitols, here's the "opposite " of the Nebraska capitol.
I love the ceilings there especially. The appreciation that you've shown for the Wisconsin State Capitol had me wondering what you would think of my beloved state's finest building. That it departs from the imitation US Capitol buildings of so many other states' capitols and that it seems an ultimate expression of the prairie style and art deco is a point of pride for Nebraskans.
What's that large paper-like object that the man in bronze in holding in front of himself? I mean, what is it used for and why is he holding one?
Kids are too old for Boys Town, aren't they?
The Nebraska rotunda doesn't have the production values of the Madison building. They tried to distract from the overall shabbiness by using the shock value of nudity. A cheap trick that fools no one.
rocketeer wrote:
Hildreth Meiere (the only woman on the design team) is responsible for the buildings murals.
However, what Ann has shown us is a portion of her mosaic, not the murals (and the portion she chose is the Pecker of the Plains, whoa!)
According to Wikipedia Meiere's art for the Nebraska capitol has evolution for its theme -- a cycle starting with prehistoric invertebrates and culminating with Man (Mr & Mrs Peckerman and son). Take that, Creationists!
The article is really worth reading. Hildreth Meiere was a classically trained artist and a patriot, and a nice contrast to many so-called artists of last hundred years. The difference is the work of a true artist stands on its own, we don't need to know anything about the artist to experience aesthetic delight, whereas far too much modern art comes with a justifying narrative attached, usually penned by the creator. For example the real distinction between a Jackson Pollock and a drop-cloth is the signature.
Wiki says she studied at Florence but little about her murals. Mural is technically just painting on walls regardless of the surface material, but there are many techniques. A mural can also be a fresco, i.e. painting on wet plaster, a technique so complicated that many consider it an art form unto itself.
Perhaps Ann can help us learn whether Meiere's capitol murals are actually frescoes.
Althouse said... "and impressive masculinity..."
Huuugh.
What's that large paper-like object that the man in bronze in holding in front of himself? I mean, what is it used for and why is he holding one?
I wonder that myself. I heard in the olden days it served as a wrapper for fish...but seriously, who does a bust of a guy reading a newspaper? Now I'm just imagining if they showed the rest of him: he's probably sitting on the throne dropping a deuce.
I think the guy in the mosaic is just smuggling a corn cob between his legs.
HT-
I would have guessed Missouri too. That seems the perfect mural for the Show Me state.
But seriously, who does a bust of a guy reading a newspaper?
Unsculpted is his wife complaining "We never talk!"
Quaestor said:
"Somebody with a wicked sense of humor coined the name Omaha World Herald..."
But that somebody was not nearly as grandiose as the one who christened Nebraska's best-named newspaper as the York New Times.
I'd have gone with Missouri, too. That guy reading the paper sure looks like Truman.
I'm embarrassed to admit that, though I had once known of Nebraska's "unicamerality", I'd forgotten.
Unsculpted is his wife complaining "We never talk!"
LOL
What, no murals, busts, or mosaics of Warren Buffett? Where's the homage to Ben Nelson and the Cornhusker Kickback?
Who is the guy with the newspaper? Does anyone out there know?
And this is why we old white Catholics put fig leaves on all our "manly" art
I hate the word rotunda. Makes me think and taste tomatoes. blech!!!
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