July 17, 2013July 17, 2013 by shannonchance

Drawing Marcello

Architecture & Urban Design, Art and Photography, Cities in Europe, Research Blog
arts, charcoal, Daisy Williams, drawing, drawing lesson, illustration, mechanical pencil, pastel techniques, Rome, sketching, teaching, Teatro Marcello
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Theatro Marcello in Rome

The OU students put the in-studio drawing lesson (that Daisy Williams delivered Monday) to work on site today. We met at ISU’s academic center and headed over to the nearby Teatro Marcello to draw. The students practiced the charcoal and pastel techniques they’ve been learning, while I used the mechanical pencil I had on hand.

The sketch I made in class.

Every one of OU’s study abroad students…

…decided to enroll in the drawing class.

Some of them are art or art history majors…

…others are majoring in architecture.

Today, they all practiced charcoal drawing techniques…

under the towers surrounding Teatro Marcello.

July 16, 2013 by shannonchance

Drawing with Daisy

My former colleague at Hampton University, Daisy Williams, is teaching two different classes in Rome this summer in addition to being the director of University of Oregon’s study abroad program in the ancient city. One is architecture studio and the other is a drawing course, pictured here.

Tomorrow, I’ll join the drawing course for a morning outing… so I’d better hit the sack now!

Daisy’s drawing class in action.

The Library at Iowa State’s Rome center.

The entry stair at Iowa State’s Rome center, where Daisy’s studio and drawing courses are held.

July 16, 2013 by shannonchance

Activating an Embankment

Viewing the site from across the Tiber, with Daisy.

Viewing the site from across the Tiber, with Prof. Daisy Williams.

On my first night in Rome, University of Oregon Prof. Daisy Williams took me to see the site in Rome that her students are using for their architectural design project. It’s across the Tiber River from where we’re standing in the above photo.

The site comes to life in the summer–in a way I’d not gotten to see before. (I usually visit Rome in May, before the walkway becomes active.) I’ve included photos of our visit to the waterfront, so you can join us on our tour.

Prof. Williams has asked her students to re-design the embankment wall in this area, so that it can be used for screening films, and so that it connects street and water-front walkways more comfortably.

You can see from the image above that the walkway often floods. This is an issue the students need to take into account in their designs.

View of the site from street level.

An existing stair down to the river.

In July, the space is filled with bars and restaurants.

These women are getting their palms read.

The temporary restaurants…

…are quite comfortable during evening hours….

…with many person-sized nooks and crannies.

There’s an exhibition of architecture/urban design proposals…

…for a very similar project to the one Prof. Williams assigned.

This is one of the models on display.

It’s a lovely place to be at sunset….

…and an effective use of an awkward space.

July 15, 2013July 15, 2013 by shannonchance

Rome-Again Rome-Again Jiggity-Jig

I hopped into a cab at 4:30 this morning, headed for Rome. I’ve been invited to spend a week here as a “Scholar in Residence” for the University of Oregon’s summer study abroad program.

I arrived in the city, moved into a spacious apartment at Iowa State’s academic center in Rome, lunched with Prof. Daisy Williams, and pulled together a presentation for tomorrow. Now, off to see some sights….

Hopped of the bus at Torre d’Argentina…

…and headed for the ISU architecture center, and the apartment where I’m staying this week.

July 12, 2013 by shannonchance

The World… on Water!

The Fulbright Ireland crew had a lovely day on the MS The World, as the outgoing students and scholars for 2013-14 were officially announced. There are 37 Irish Fulbright awardees in all this year, and they join the ranks of 1600 other Irish Fulbrights who have gone to the US since 1947.

Events were held on a very impressive cruise ship where people actually live… it operates like a very high-end condo. The ship is called “The World” and we were lucky enough to get tours from the staff.

We were guests of ship residents Jack and Monica Pinkowski, who are Florida residents.

Jack was a Fulbright to Dublin City Council in 2008-9, and the couple continues to support the Fulbright program today.

12:00 – 12:45 pm	Guests Arrive and Ship Tours Gangway
12:30/12:45 – 1:30 pm	Light lunch / drinks with traditional Irish musicians performing Tea Room/ Garden
1:30 – 2:30 pm	Remarks / Presentation of Awardees The Colosseo § World Representative and Fulbright Alumna, Dr. Jack Pinkowski § Fulbright Commission Chair, Mr. Patrick McDermott § Chargé d’ Affaires, U.S. Embassy, Mr. John Hennessy-Niland § Fulbright Commission Executive Director, Ms. Colleen Dube § Lord Mayor of Dublin Oisín Quinn
2:30 pm	End of Event

Boarding the ship…

…with its impeccable maintenance.

Fulbrights touring.

Jonathan and Amanda playing tunes.

Impressive guest list.

DCU education expert.

Acting Ambassador to Ireland.

Director of Fulbright Ireland, Colleen Dube.

Irish Fulbrights for 2013-14.

A gift for our hosts.

Dublin’s new Lord Mayor.

The new Fulbright scholar in Marine Science (who I got to interview in January).

The new Fulbright student in engineering (who I got to interview in January).

Fulbrights on deck.

The Lord Mayor and an outgoing Fulbright.

View from the top deck.

Photo ops…

…with our host and the Lord Mayor.

July 10, 2013 by shannonchance

Lovin’ the Dub

It’s vacation time of year here in Dublin, and friends are making a point of catching up with me before they go on holidays and I return to the States . It’s been such fun catching up with people I enjoy… like Eileen, Joe, Nancy, and Tom.

Fulbright helped me connect with such interesting folks… teachers, scholars, engineers, linguists, musicians, and technology gurus… and that was just yesterday!

Dinner with Dr. Eileen Goold at Matt the Thresher’s

Reflection on Exchequer Street

Lunch at The Green Hen with Dr. Joe Dennehy.

The Cobblestone with Dr. Nancy Stenson and friends.

Piper Neil Mulligan, his son, and his brother Tom.

Some of the Mulligans who played music at the Cobblestone last night.

I’m making new friends everyday…

…here’s Simon…

…a new character I met at the Cobblestone last night.

July 9, 2013 by shannonchance

Secret Paris

The book Secret Paris sent me to many interesting but obscure sites nestled off the beaten path in Paris. Not all were open or accessible. But with a little patience, I found my way into some lovely spots that most tourists never see.

This was the first time I felt at home in Paris, and this little book helped a bit. It helped me find some person-sized places. It’s all too easy to see only the monumental scale sites of this city. Paris is about monumentality and uniformity–especially along the boulevards. But he back streets and courtyards are often lively and quaint.

In Paris, sped some time avoiding the monuments. It’s much nicer to take a slow pace and find some nooks and crannies that you can call your own.

Here’s a sketch I made in one “secret” space of Paris… the courtyard of a set of 48 or so apartments northeast of the Opera.

July 8, 2013 by shannonchance

Victorian Times at Ryan’s Pub

Ryan’s Victorian Pub

The snug at Ryan’s Victorian Pub.

The count down is on for me. I’ve got about six more weeks in Europe, with one being in Rome. So, amid finalizing research projects and submitting papers, I’m trying to visit sites I’ve overlooked and people I will miss.

These are some photos of my visit to Ryan’s Victorian Pub, just across the Liffey from Heusten (train) Station. At Ryan’s, they serve up a lovely Beef and Guinness Pie!

July 8, 2013 by shannonchance

Perusing Paris

Hampton University sketching in Paris, on a rainy day.

Spent a lovely week in Paris, much of it with Hampton University’s architecture program. I’ve attached a few of the pics I snapped with my iPhone. I’m back in Dublin now, and getting around to downloading the photos from my Nikon. The photos will help me reminisce of my travels once I head back to the States. I might even have time to write something meaningful on my blog once again….

For now, pictures will have to do!