SPANISH WINDOWS, LAMPS & SHADOWS [Catch All Man Made Things]
Uploaded: August 05, 2009 00:38:31
Those who have traveled overseas might do a double take when they stroll past the statue of Sir Winston Churchill. Just steps away two of Spain's landmarks--the Giralda Tower and the Seville Light -- tower majestically on the horizon. Down the street in a quiet courtyard sits an original bronze of Pomona by Italian sculptor Donatello Gabrielli. Is this England, or maybe Spain, or could it be Italy? What a surprise to the traveler to find these magnificent European works of art in the heart of the Midwest -- on Kansas City's famed Country Club Plaza.
Built in 1922, the Country Club Plaza is one of this country's architectural and cultural treasures. It was designed as America's first shopping center. But today it's much more than that. The Plaza is a virtual outdoor museum with over $1 million in art work found in its monumental fountains and over 30 statues and tile-laced murals. Every street on the 14-square block Plaza is worthy of an attentive stroll.
Dominick M. Dimacale August 05, 2009
The district's streets and sidewalks have been transformed over the years into a true outdoor art gallery, with priceless pieces shipped in from around the world.Dominick M. Dimacale August 05, 2009
Must see stops on the walking art tour include three outstanding works by Bernhard Zuckerman: the 130 foot tall reproduction of the famous Giralda Tower of Seville, the majestic Seville Light and Diana, one of the largest man-made waterfalls in the United States. Next on the tour are acquisitions from the Bromsgrove Guild in Worcestershire, England: the playful Boy and Hound, the impressive Fountain of Neptune , and the Fountain of Bacchus. Several don't miss pieces from the Romanelli Studios in Florence include the Sleeping Child, a favorite of Plaza shoppers who cast a watchful eye at the statue poised in the median of the street, Michelangelo as Apprentice, the whimsical Boy and Frog Fountain , the Madonna and Child and the beautiful white Carrara marble statue of Ruth.#7817575
Dominick M. Dimacale August 05, 2009
Only Rome has more fountains than Kansas City, and several of the more spectacular ones are found on the Country Club Plaza. The city-landmark J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain by Henri Gerbert is dedicated to Plaza founder J.C. Nichols; the Allen Memorial Fountain by Gemignani is a gentle reminder of the deceased daughter and son-in-law of Nichols; the Pool of the Four Fauns delights passers-by with the sight of children frolicking in the water; Pomona is a graceful bronze original, a twin to the marble original on display in the King's palace in Bangkok; and Diane by Norman Brunelli, is a life-size bronze which seems to take on life as it reflects upon the Plaza pool and fountain which surround her.New on the walking art tour are the Path of Gold Lights along 47th Street. These reproductions of the original ornamental street lights found in San Francisco are a favorite of Miller Nichols, son of Plaza founder J.C., who first saw them while stationed in the city by the bay during World War II.
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Dominick M. Dimacale August 05, 2009
A glance skyward leads the eye to the Plaza's signature structures. Dotting the rooftops stand 14 towers, each echoing the colorful moods of Spain, Italy, Portugal and Morocco.All through the Plaza are statues and murals depicting many of the world's great leaders and historical figures. Sir Winston and Lady Churchill are preserved in Married Love by Oscar Nemon; a life-sized Benjamin Franklin poised on a park bench invites visitors to sit down next to him; Massasoit, the friendly chief who greeted the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, now stands at the Plaza's entrance greeting travelers of today; the allure of the matador is seen in three bullfight murals set in ceramic tile and handcrafted in Seville, Spain specifically for the Plaza; and, Out To Lunch is a life-size bronze of a young boy sitting on a rock eating an all-American hamburger in front of, where else, the Plaza's McDonald's Restaurant.
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Dominick M. Dimacale August 05, 2009
The history of the acquisition of these unmatched works of art began back before the 1920's when, as a young man, Plaza developer Jesse Clyde (J.C.) Nichols took a summer off to work his way through Europe. What resulted was a lasting impression of the colorful marketplaces of Spain, the warmth and Old World charm of Europe and the timeless character and ambience of the Mediterranean that eventually lead to the construction of Kansas City's premiere attraction -- The Country Club Plaza. Much of the Plaza's beauty is found in these Spanish and European art objects personally selected and placed by Nichols. And today, the Plaza's management continues the tradition by placing new works of art throughout the 14-block district, ensuring Plaza founder J.C. Nichols' dream of making the Plaza a place of beauty and culture for all to enjoy.#7817580
Brett Dolsen August 05, 2009
Wonderfull composition with great colour,details,light and shadows Dominick!!Brett #7817582Dominick M. Dimacale August 05, 2009
Contact Rita Jane
Rita Jane's Gallery
ritajane-photography.com
member since: 9/22/2004 Awesome capture, great colors!
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Laura E. Swan August 05, 2009
WOW! Our man of a few words sure had plenty to say about this one! HA!I will bookmark this Dominick and come back in the morning with some nice hot coffee and take all of this in. I promise!
In the mean time this surely is a beautiful image!!! :)
-Laura (1:53 a.m. where I live)...!!! #7817597
Tommy E. Burgess August 05, 2009
Beautiful capture Dominick!! I'll have to head that way sometime soon. Wonderful work! #7817606Natasa Mikuz August 05, 2009
Wonderful, extraordinary picture, Dominick! #7817607Renee Doyle August 05, 2009
Beautifully seen and captured!!! #7817643Ray Clarke August 05, 2009
Beautiful image, great light and shadow capture Dominick,!!!(R) #7817653Paul E. Earl August 05, 2009
Fabulous capture! I too will come back to this page when I have a bit more time. #7817664Brenda Sides August 05, 2009
Wonderful capture, Dominick! #7817748Michelle Alton August 05, 2009
A wonderful composition and presentation, Dominick. #7817799Douglas Pignet August 05, 2009
Very nice image with a great story line. #7817808Tammy Scott August 05, 2009
Beautiful shadow and color shot! #7817867Ann Coates August 05, 2009
Fantastic find and capture and beautifully presented Dominick. #7817881Beverley Scott August 05, 2009
Fabulous capture, Dominick, and as a fellow traveller I found your notes very informative! Bev #7817898Henry Miller August 05, 2009
A beautiful find and great details and nice shadows!! #7817930Jojie F. Alcantara August 05, 2009
Beautiful, Dom. Thank you for the information. :-) #7817966Deb Koskovich August 05, 2009
Dominick, your eye for composition is unsurpassed. #7817979Gord MacEachern August 05, 2009
Beautiful image here Dominick,enjoyed the info also! #7817981Erin Appelbaum August 05, 2009
Outstanding composition, lighting, colors, clarity and contrast Dominick. Peter #7818042Michael Khoury August 05, 2009
Wow Dominick, you certainly got me reading this morning...very powerful picture!Randy D. Dinkins August 05, 2009
Beautiful light and comp. Wonderful shot and follow up. #7818079Joseph N. DiGilio August 05, 2009
Nice work Dominick. Love the color, light and shadows. So well composed too. #7818089Jeff Robinson August 05, 2009
Fantastic capture and info Dominick! Jeff #7818107Linda M. Walker August 05, 2009
I feel like I am in history class....what a wonderful lesson and a beautifully presented image...well done!! Thanks for sharing. #7818117Ken Smith August 05, 2009
Nice shadow play, Dominick..and excellent work on the contrasts! #7818119JO ANN CLEVELAND August 05, 2009
How cool...I love those shadows Dominick, and the colorjo ann c. #7818152
Carol Sawyer August 05, 2009
Beautiful capture, lighting and colors, Dominick!! #7818153Colette M. Metcalf August 05, 2009
Very nice image!!! #7818266Chua Wee Boo August 05, 2009
Great lighting & lovely capture,Dominick! #7818319Mike Clime August 05, 2009
Wonderful comp, light and shadows! #7818355Gina Cormier August 05, 2009
WOW...again with the info! That would take me hours to type!! LOLPatti Coblentz August 05, 2009
Love the shadow play in this...nice image, Dominick.Linda D. Lester August 05, 2009
Wonderful shot....love the shadows! #7818507Boyd L. Alexander August 05, 2009
Wow!! Outstanding composition, lighting, colors, clarity and contrast Dominick! #7818514Debra K. Johnson August 05, 2009
Ditto to all, Dominick! Fabulous capture. #7818539Robert R. Goodman August 05, 2009
Hi Dominick,very beautiful color.Great capture!!!! #7818546Lorraine A. Cook August 05, 2009
Beautiful window and lamp shadows against the salmon color wall, Dominick!!!<:))I LOVE the accompanying text...there is so much to see and photograph at this historic Country Club Plaza!!<:)) #7818566
Mary Beth Aiello August 05, 2009
Just gorgeous, Dominick. #7818581Shelly A. Van Camp August 05, 2009
Beautiful...love the black frame around this too! #7818604Girish Vaghela August 05, 2009
Well seen, very lovely, Dominick! #7818616Joy Rector August 05, 2009
love this shot, great comp #7818635Shawn Jennings August 05, 2009
Great composition to include the shadows on this, Dominick! #7818652Cathy Barrows August 05, 2009
the shadows make this one #7818694Amy M. Wilson August 05, 2009
Beautiful capture, love the colors and shadows, Dominick! #7818712Lisa J. Boulden August 05, 2009
Great shadows, color, and comp here, Dominick!Ruth Grimm August 05, 2009
Your gorgeous shadowed image drew me in, Dominick, your history lesson kept me!! Thank you very much!Jack R. Perry August 05, 2009
WOW, thanks for the education, impressive. #7818922Patti Coblentz August 05, 2009
Great commentary, also!Karen Bacon August 05, 2009
wonderful shot and history lesson! #7818946Manuel Barrera August 05, 2009
Wonderful play of light image, Dominick #7818957Ron McEwan August 05, 2009
Good eye and a grand image you have captured here Dominick, very well composed for sure. #7818980Margaret R. Barry August 05, 2009
Beautiful colors, light composition and clarity, Dominick! #7819007Patricia Seidler August 05, 2009
Beautiful Dominick. The light, color and shadows are fantastic. #7819089Patricia A. Stalter August 05, 2009
As you would say: Great work and words here. Pat #7819127Betsy Labuschagne August 05, 2009
Beautiful capture Dominick, great light and color!! #7819136Rebecca K. Lefferts August 05, 2009
I absolutely love the shadows!!! Great shot! #7819217ROLAN NARMAN August 05, 2009
Fantastic capture, details, lighting and colors Dominick! #7819305Marcel J. Fernandez August 05, 2009
Very outstanding work here, Dominick.Marcel #7819313
Mitch Spence August 05, 2009
I know the Plaza is a great place to shoot, Dominick, and you saw this piece of it beautifully. #7819356Julianne Bradford August 05, 2009
Beautifully seen and captured Dominick! Terrific story also! #7819410Kay E. Mahoney August 05, 2009
Nice find, Dominick. Thanks for all the information. It's nice to read on things that are taken in different areas other than were we take our pictures. #7819474Renata Gusciora August 05, 2009
I love that!Incredible colors,light and shadow play and composition,Dominick!Great framing too! #7819482Zsuzsanna M. Szugyi August 05, 2009
Beautifully seen and captured, Dominick. It's good to read about the place. Thank you for the info! #7819499Stephen Zacker August 05, 2009
Well seen. Excellent photography #7819521Tiia Vissak August 05, 2009
a fantastic image! #7819571Yulianto Soeroso August 05, 2009
wow #7819616Peggy J. Maguire August 05, 2009
Beautifully Done Dominick!! #7819732Elena F. Wyatt August 05, 2009
i so love this photo. I love taking pictures of european windows. will add to my favorite. good luck Dominick #7819902Ray Thoms August 05, 2009
Very well done Dominick..... #7819965Lynn M. Whitt August 05, 2009
Great capture Dominick... #7820182Ivan Chacon August 05, 2009
Nice work Dominick! :) #7820187Nancy (Peaches) Harker August 05, 2009
FANTASTIC capture, I love it! #7820563Nadya Johnson August 05, 2009
Really striking, Dominick! I like the shadow-play. That turquoise against the pink really pops! Great find, well captured! #7820799Sam Britt August 05, 2009
Great composition, color, clarity & shadow, Dominick. #7820835Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna August 05, 2009
Amazing and beautiful, Dominick!!! :-) Ma #7821035Donna L. Stansbury August 05, 2009
Beautiful play with light and shadows Dominick, your entire gallery just wows me every time I browse through it :) #7821168Nancy L. Green August 05, 2009
VERY cool dom, wonderful lines and comp here, WTG!! <>< #7821188frank w. degenhardt August 05, 2009
Dominick- This makes me want to have the ability of Dorothy and be able to click my heels and be in Kansas to see all this beauty and be awed as you were. Just reading all about it was such a thrill and to imagine what it all looks like a dream. Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in on giving us a tour of the plaza. It was fasinating reading and deeply enjoyed.Laura E. Swan August 05, 2009
:) !!! #7821380
Robyn A. Terrell August 05, 2009
Fabulous image, Dominick! #7821391Karen Engelbreth August 05, 2009
Wonderful capture, Dominick.... #7821408Maria Coulson August 05, 2009
What an interesting shot. And thanks for the description. #7821476Kirsten Kiki Kjaer August 05, 2009
Fantastic 'design' and use of light, Dominick. #7821542Robert K. Bemus August 05, 2009
Great find and capture, Dominick!! I never would've guessed KC!! #7821567Stan J. Bendkowski August 06, 2009
Beautifully composed and captured, Dominick! #7821780Izabela Zagaja-Florek August 06, 2009
Beautiful picture, Dominick, love the shadows here! :) #7822309Dick W. Wyatt August 06, 2009
Great composition .I love this one. #7824354
Reynaldo D. Reyes August 06, 2009
Very beautifully presented here and the historical and informational perspective allows one to appreciate the place much better. #7825142Alex T. Mizuno August 07, 2009
What a great capture Dominick! It's a perfect EOD! Combination of the flat color of the wall and the strong shadows make it look like a silk screen. It's definitely a work of art! #7825449Georgeina M. Mckinney August 08, 2009
This is now added to my list of many places I desire to visit. Stunning picture!! Before I read any of your comments I wanted to go and now I don't think I could stay away after viewing the plaza through your eyes. Thanks for your time. #7829262Stefania Barbier September 20, 2009
another beautiful finalist Dominick, congrats! #7957770Alex T. Mizuno September 20, 2009
Congratulations on your Finalist Dominick!!! #7957803Beverley Scott September 20, 2009
Congratulations on this great finalist, Dominick! #7957914Michelle Alton September 20, 2009
Congratulations on all of your great August Finalists! One day you'll have to share your secret for being able to travel so much. I think we are all envious! #7958493Linda D. Lester September 20, 2009
Wonderful shot....Congratulations and good luck in the next round!!!!!!! #7959294Ruth Grimm September 20, 2009
Congratulations Dominick!! Best of luck in the next round! #7959399Lauren P. Krajenta September 20, 2009
Fantastic shot! Great lines, shadows, colors, pov, tones, clarity, lighting! Congrats!!! :) #7959687Amy M. Wilson September 20, 2009
Outstanding Finalist... congrats, Dominick!!! #7959823Maria Coulson September 20, 2009
Congratulations!! #7960122Courtenay Vanderbilt September 20, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS again, Dominick!! #7960132Nancyj E. Hovey September 20, 2009
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N SKatarina Mansson September 20, 2009
Congratulations on another well seen and captured finalist Dominick! #7960670Judy V. Kennamer September 20, 2009
Gorgeous Finalist Dominick!!! Congrats!!! #7960845Debra R. Harder September 20, 2009
Love the shadow-play, colors, comp and details...BRILLIANT, Dominick! Congratulations on another SUPERB finalist!! Deb #7960877Carla Metzler September 20, 2009
Gorgeous! Congratulations, Dominick! #7961077Jeana Clark September 20, 2009
~J~ #7961626
Teresa Burnett September 20, 2009
AWESOME!!!!! Another huge congratulations Dominick!! #7963602Fran J. Jagger September 20, 2009
Congrats on this lovely finalist, Dominick!! :) #7963623Denny E. Barnes September 20, 2009
Outstanding!! Big congratulations again Dominick, on this beautiful and well deserved finalist!! #7964335Laurence Saliba September 21, 2009
Oh I love this!!! Congrats my friend!!!! #7964906Kathy Cline September 21, 2009
Linda Blair September 21, 2009
Congratulations!!!!!!!!! #7965990Tiia Vissak September 21, 2009
Congratulations! #7967817frank w. degenhardt September 21, 2009
Another fantastic Finalist my friend. Congratulatons once more. #7968048Jeff Robinson September 21, 2009
Congrats Dominick on your Fantastic Finalist! Jeff #7968076JO ANN CLEVELAND September 21, 2009
This was awesome, congratulations Dominick!jo ann c. #7968347
Ken Smith September 21, 2009
Another super month for you. Congrats again, Dominick!! #7968528Guy D. Biechele September 22, 2009
Awesome design!! Congratulations on this finalist, Dominick. #7971403Erica Murphy September 22, 2009
Very intersting and graphic shot Dominick!!! Congratulations!! #7972132Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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