Guest Post: The Art of Pleasure

So this was my homework – write about what brings me pleasure.  And I kid you not, homework it was.  I sweated this one.  And not just because of the images it brought to mind.  I could obviously go way off the deep end and tell you my darkest fantasies but that wasn’t really the instruction given.  Although that would be interesting, as what I usually write is very G-rated.  But alas, (I know, you’re heartbroken already) I will keep to the topics of food, music or art. I cook.  And I enjoy it.  But I wouldn’t really consider it pleasure. I listen to music.  But often I don’t really hear it.  Actually, I often don’t realize an album is on repeat.  My husband laughs at me.  So I guess it brings him pleasure.  Or he’s laughing in wonderment at how a guy with a serious passion for music could marry someone who needs it on but doesn’t know what’s playing.  Guess that doesn’t really qualify me to write about it. That leaves art. Now there’s something to be passionate about.  I know the above categories could technically by considered art.  And in the hands of some people they are the highest form of art.  But it’s not the kind of art that makes me take a deep breath and pause. I’m a visual person.  I’m all about form.  Shape.  Space.  I like objects.  And certain pictures of objects will work too. What is it about these things that give me a little, achy feeling in my chest.  A feeling that says “That’s amazing.  I want one.  Could I have that please?” I don’t know.  I guess that’s part of the experience.  I remember one of my first major “wow” moments.  I was in college and probably no more idealistic than the next student but I was certainly an impressionable young architect wanna-be.  This was a long time ago.  On a dark and stormy night…  Oh, wait, wrong story.  No, this was when Frank Gehry was really becoming a household name. I saw this…

Weisman Museum

And I had to find a reason to see it in person.  I did, and that experience was probably part of what made me finish school.  Not that I wanted to be like Gehry (in reality I hear he’s an ass), but that I could find such expression.  I don’t know that I have the same awe for the building now as I did then, but the memory of that “revelation” moment will be with me forever. More recently I saw these…

Bamboo Oases

Now they may not be permanent structures, but that makes them no less inspiring of awe.  Part of the joy of the built environment is the total experience.  Imagine walking into what is essentially a trailer park courtyard in a desert field (okay a hoighty-toighty polo field in the desert).  And seeing these playful, artistic oases of shade.  And knowing too, that they were temporary.  They’re gone (the trailers, the structures, everything) within days of being set-up.  It was a truly “ahh, these are perfect” moment.  At least for me.  And if you don’t care what I think about things why are you still reading? You don’t know?  Oh, well.  Let me leave you with this then.

Canopy Bed

Can someone please get this for me?

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