Friday 1 April 2016

Remembering Zaha Hadid


Zaha Hadid, one of the world's greatest architects, designer, visionary, trailblazer, the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, an inspiration to women across the world,  who fought in a man's world and changed the face of architecture for ever, died yesterday at the age of 65.

'Over her 30-year old career, the Iraqi-born, London-based designer developed a style more recognisable and more imitated, than any of her contemporaries, transforming what began as world of dreamy abstract paintings into a global brand for daring art galleries and experimental opera houses that now dot the globe from Baku to Guangzhou'. (Oliver Wainwright in the Guardian )

In her memory and to celebrate her iconic work,  I have reposted two of my earlier blog posts on her work.


The Serpentine Sackler Gallery




Next, we crossed the bridge, and arrived at the Serpentine Sackler gallery, the 1805 brick gunpowder storage building on the right, and the new linked pavilion designed by Zaha Hadid on the left.





The elegant roof is made from PTFE-coated glass-fibre woven fabric, its super-smooth moulded look a complete contrast to the brickwork of the 19th century building






It's a wondrous place - there is a lightness to the whole building as if it's about to float away





the brick of the old building is in contrast to the smoothness of the new, but they complement each other beautifully





as do the sculpted columns with their smooth moulded surface





but the wonder is seeing the columns as you walk in - it's like liquid light pouring down from the ceiling on to the floor






it is truly awesome





Some of the critics have been really scathing about the extension, and I really cannot understand it.


 


Being in there was a real experience: it's light (some critics said they found it dark!), airy, architecturally interesting,






but even if it was none of the above, just that light pouring in, is enough - it's stunning




flowing, organic forms






looking out


  


flowers on the tables in Alvar Aalto vases.





Finally, the washrooms are cutting edge as well - hot air came out of the Dyson taps after we had washed our hands.



The Maxxi




A fairly typical Roman exterior, you might think....





but not once you step through these gates....





this is the Maxxi, Rome's brand-new museum of twenty first century art and architecture...

continue reading


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