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Architecture, Art, California, Photography, USC

Trojan Shrine – “Let him bear the palm, who deserves it.”

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“Here are provided seats of meditative joy, where shall rise again the destined reign of Troy.” – Publius Vergilius Maro

Sculpted by Roger Noble Burnham in bronze, Trojan Shrine was unveiled during the University of Southern California’s 50th Jubilee in 1930.  The five traits of the ideal Trojan are inscribed on the base – Faithful, Scholarly, Skillful, Courageous, Ambitious.

Architecture, Art, California, Landscapes, Photography

Indigenous Inhabitants

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One of my favorite places to spend the holidays is Newport Beach, where I love to study and photograph the “brutalist” architecture of Newport Center.

In 1967, artist Tom Van Sant created a series he called “Indigenous Inhabitants” that captured the region’s wildlife (mostly extinct now) in concrete using a technique called Intaglios – Italian for incised carving.

His work was commissioned by Architects William Pereira and Welton Becket.

Photography

Paragliding over La Jolla

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The site of the Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla, California has been hosting wind-powered aviation since the 1920s.

Charles Lindbergh held his maiden flight along the cliffs of Torrey Pines on February 24, 1930.  He soared from Mt. Soledad to Del Mar,  establishing the first gliding-distance record. He had previously completed his epic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in May 1927.