Juxtaposition

I find juxtapositions in architecture, or indeed any art form most intriguing. Post-Modern against medieval, fusion music, the suspense of a tangy mango chutney with Cuban cuisine – I believe it’s something to do some kind of sensory overload; where the first reaction is “Oh – this doesn’t fit” and finally it grows on to you, as if you think it existed since time itself.

Centre Pompidou is an exoskeleton of “inside-out” activities, meaning it has the building functions such as plumbing, escalators, heating on the outside in order to maximize space to house modern art, and is located in Paris’ medieval quarter. It’s difficult not to gasp at the ugliness of the building, but I was equally flattered by its design after walking through the building and going up the escalators.

I was less impressed with IM Pei’s pyramid in the Louvre; maybe I just didn’t get the concept of the entrance to the museum – not sure it had some subliminal message about the openness of space against the traditional architecture.

Somewhat unrelated to art but certainly within the realm of this topic is a fun place in Baltimore for Tex-Mex cuisine called Gecko’s which serves the most delicious mango chipotle enchiladas. Yum! Truly a burst of flavors.