Tag: creativity

Architecture inspired by nature . . . and UFOs!

An exhibition of truly amazing architectural designs recently opened at the SDSU Downtown Gallery.

Radiant Architecture: The Visionary Work of Eugene Ray showcases the futuristic architectural concepts of an emeritus professor from San Diego State University, who taught Environmental Design from 1969 to 1996.

Those who have driven through La Jolla might have seen the fantastic house and studio he built at 1699 Nautilus Street. It’s commonly referred to as the Silver Ship. It was erected in 1978 with the help of Environmental Design students from SDSU.

It’s no surprise that many of Eugene Ray’s designs appear a bit like spaceships. His inspiration comes not only from simple, efficient, resilient forms found in nature, but from his life-changing sighting of a UFO in 1947 when he was a boy.

According to one sign I read, many of the innovative designs synthesized “Ray’s concepts of the synergy of color, light, and sound to create holistic, healing and energizing environments.” He also sought to create modular structures, which would be affordable and easily assembled.

I was told that his organic, biomorphic designs are so futuristic, unusual and brilliant that world-famous science fiction author Ray Bradbury at one time had plans to make a movie about Eugene Ray’s work.

Here are a few photos of the original drawings, prototypes, renderings and highly creative artwork currently on display. This very cool exhibition at the SDSU Downtown Gallery runs through October 6, 2019.

James A. Perry Residence - New Orleans, Louisiana, 1968.
James A. Perry Residence – New Orleans, Louisiana, 1968.
Aerodyne Sports House - 1984.
Aerodyne Sports House – 1984.
Nautilus Street Residence aka The Silver Ship - La Jolla, California, 1978.
Nautilus Street Residence aka The Silver Ship – La Jolla, California, 1978.
Blueprint of The Silver Ship, designed by Eugene Ray, located at 1699 Nautilus Street in La Jolla, California.
Blueprint of The Silver Ship, designed by Eugene Ray, located in La Jolla, California.
Pavilion for Holy Cross High School - New Orleans, Louisiana, 1967.
Pavilion for Holy Cross High School – New Orleans, Louisiana, 1967.
Untitled, Eugene Ray, 1969 (restored 2019). Acrylic and aluminum on canvas.
Untitled, Eugene Ray, 1969 (restored 2019). Acrylic and aluminum on canvas.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Great writing, reading celebrated at TwainFest!

Giant puppets representing Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe roam Old Town San Diego State Historic Park during 2019 TwainFest!
Giant puppets representing Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe roam Old Town San Diego State Historic Park during 2019 TwainFest!

Today I enjoyed one of my very favorite San Diego events. I headed to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park for a celebration of great writing and reading at 2019 TwainFest!

Literature is the focus of this annual festival–the most famous 19th century literature and writers in particular. Produced by Write Out Loud, TwainFest features live readings, performances, period music and costumes, games, and a variety of fun activities for the entire family.

Kids not only develop an appreciation for classic books, but they experience the joy of creativity!

Here comes a tall Mark Twain puppet walking through Old Town San Diego!
Here comes a tall Mark Twain puppet walking through Old Town San Diego!
A noon parade circles the Old Town plaza during 2019 TwainFest, where great writers and reading are celebrated!
A noon parade circles the Old Town plaza during 2019 TwainFest, where great writers and reading are celebrated!
Many characters in 19th century period costume could be spotted at the annual event.
Many characters in 19th century period costume could be spotted at the annual event.
Musical entertainment on the main stage. Fiesta de Reyes presents TwainFest by Write Out Loud. Laughter, Levity and Literature.
Musical entertainment on the main stage. Fiesta de Reyes presents TwainFest by Write Out Loud. Laughter, Levity and Literature.
This sea captain might have been an acquaintance of Herman Melville. He has been joined by Lewis Carroll's Red Queen.
This salty Captain Swordfish might have been an acquaintance of Moby Dick author Herman Melville. He has been joined by Lewis Carroll’s Red Queen.
I met Walt Whitman, who told me this is his first time at TwainFest.
I met poet Walt Whitman, who told me this is his first time at TwainFest.
One of many fun games at TwainFest. Spinning the Wheel of Fiction, in order to solve a literary clue.
One of many fun games at TwainFest. Spinning the Wheel of Fiction, in order to solve a literary clue.
Characters and scenes from Mark Twain's stories could be colored, like The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.
Characters and scenes from Mark Twain’s stories could be colored, like The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.
Anyone could walk up, grab a marker, and help write several Never Ending Stories.
Anyone could walk up, grab a marker, and help write several Never Ending Stories.
A performance of a magical folk tale in the Japanese Kamishibai tradition.
A performance of a magical folk tale in the Japanese Kamishibai tradition.
Lively music from 19th century San Diego adds life to the cultural event.
Lively music from 19th century San Diego adds life to the cultural event.
Some fun musical accompaniment nearby.
Some fun musical accompaniment nearby.
Kids were learning how to play drums and the fife.
Kids were learning how to play drums and the fife.
The young and the young at heart could play Victorian era games on the grass, including wheelbarrow races, sack races, egg races and the game of graces.
The young and the young at heart could play Victorian era games on the grass, including wheelbarrow races, sack races, egg races and the game of graces.
A crazy wheelbarrow race is underway. It's hard not to fall out when you turn!
A crazy wheelbarrow race is underway. It’s hard not to fall out when your driver abruptly turns!
Visitors to TwainFest could learn how to make simple books by folding paper and applying fancy cover designs with a glue stick.
Visitors to TwainFest could learn how to make simple books by folding paper and applying fancy cover designs with a glue stick.
Of course, a literature themed event must include lots of classic books.
Of course, a literature themed event must include lots of classic books.
Shelves full of books!
Shelves full of books!
Some history reenactors had set up a Civil War era field encampment.
Some history reenactors had set up a Civil War era field encampment.
Union soldiers in uniform appear at attention.
Union soldiers in uniform appear at attention.
The nearby Headquarters Post Office contained more costumed participants.
The nearby Headquarters Post Office contained more costumed participants.
A working telegraph was on display.
A working telegraph was on display.
While walking about, I noticed many smiling volunteers handing out TwainFest programs.
While walking about, I noticed many smiling people handing out TwainFest programs. (I’m sure Write Out Loud always welcomes new volunteers.)
Stories were being told at the Casa de Estudillo about immigrants, the descendants of early California, and the road to women's suffrage.
Stories were being told at the Casa de Estudillo about immigrants, the descendants of early California, and the road to women’s suffrage.
At the Old Town Courthouse Museum, people could take a literacy test to see whether they could vote in the election of 1872.
At the Old Town Courthouse Museum, people could take a literacy test to see whether they could vote in the election of 1872.
Political illustrations and cartoons from print over a century ago.
Political illustrations and cartoons from print over a century ago.
Young people were enjoying a Mad Hatter tea party, with Alice and other Wonderland characters!
Young people were enjoying a Mad Hatter tea party, with Alice and other Wonderland characters!
It appeared that some people had already painted Tom Sawyer's fence with whitewash!
It appeared that some people had already painted Tom Sawyer’s fence with whitewash!
Is that the Red Queen or the Queen of Hearts? I get them confused.
Is that the Red Queen or the Queen of Hearts? I get them confused.
Don't be an idiom. (You probably don't want to be an oxymoron either.)
Don’t be an idiom. (You probably don’t want to be an oxymoron either.)
More dramatic words were being read inside Old Town's one room Mason Street Schoolhouse. I recognized funny passages from Tom Sawyer.
More dramatic words were being read inside Old Town’s one room Mason Street Schoolhouse. I recognized those funny wart-cure passages from Tom Sawyer.
A puppet show delights kids in Old Town's plaza.
A puppet show delights kids in Old Town’s plaza.
The smiles go on and on during TwainFest...
The smiles and good times live on and on during TwainFest…
...thanks in part to this amiable if somewhat satirical fellow.
…thanks in part to this amiable if somewhat satirical fellow.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Student posters celebrate Freedom of Speech.

Free Speech, Press and Society.
Free Speech, Press and Society.

I was making my way through downtown this morning when I spotted something important that I’d like to blog.

As I walked past the Edward J. Schwartz United States Courthouse, I noticed a new crop of student posters has appeared in the building’s windows. These posters were submitted by local kids for the San Diego County Bar Association’s 2019 Law Week Poster and Video Contest.

The theme this year is Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society.

We the People...
We the People…
Natural Rights. First Amendment.
Natural Rights. First Amendment.
Free As a Bird. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
Free As a Bird. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Freedom. Rights. Responsibility.
Freedom. Rights. Responsibility. May all our voices be heard!
Express your opinion. Peacefully protest or assemble.
Express your opinion. Peacefully protest or assemble.
Liberty requires freedom of expression for everybody.
Liberty requires freedom of expression for everybody.

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution is vitally important to me. I’m a writer.

If you value individual liberty and a free and open society, its protections are fundamental.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

A final decision to write.

The older I become, the more I understand that life is fleeting.

Because of that, I’ve come to a decision.

I will now dedicate my spare hours to writing fiction.

Why?

While I enjoy walking everywhere and taking photos of San Diego, I feel that my efforts in creative writing might be more important. Apparently some people think my works of fiction have merit.

It doesn’t seem possible, but my website Short Stories by Richard has received visitors from school classrooms in four different countries now. Most of the students are reading the story One Thousand Likes. Many people around the world have also begun to read An Unexpected Sunflower, which is my very first short story and still my favorite.

So now I’m really going to concentrate on writing. Which means Cool San Diego Sights and my other photography blogs will be put on pause.

I’m hoping a few more worthwhile stories will come to me!

If I’m lucky!

If you’d like to read and follow my writing, you can click here!

Thank you for sharing my journey!

UPDATE!

Well, obviously, that wasn’t much of a pause. As I type this update several months later I’m still walking, taking photos and blogging. I can’t seem to stop. Oh, well. Sorry about the misinformation! The best laid plans…

Summer of Love’s Art Car in Balboa Park!

What’s did I see today in Balboa Park? There’s a car parked in the middle of Spanish Village Art Center’s patio and it’s decorated with all sorts of fun, colorful artwork!

According to a sign on the windshield, the Art Car was donated for this project by the San Diego Automotive Museum. It appears to be a cool work in progress during this Summer of Love!

Nobody was painting the car when I walked by, but I saw plenty of space for more creativity!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Third grade students create self-portrait quilts!

Last Tuesday I headed to Liberty Station to check out a cool exhibition at IDW’s Comic Art Gallery before the start of Comic-Con. I arrived half an hour before the gallery opened, so I moseyed around Liberty Station’s beautiful park-like setting.

I walked by the Visions Art Museum and poked my nose inside.

There I discovered something inspiring! One of the museum’s walls featured a display of small quilts made by third grade students who attend Perkins Elementary School in Barrio Logan. (About a year ago I photographed part of this school’s outdoor mural.)

Their teacher, who was sitting at the Vision Art Museum’s front desk, briefly told me her students, some of whom are homeless, were super excited to create this artwork. They drew the design first, then cut out pieces of colorful fabric, which they assembled into expressive self-portraits!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Amazing, fantastic, crazy cosplay everywhere!

Cosplay out of control!

Amazing, fantastic, super creative cosplay everywhere!

The explanation? It must be another Saturday afternoon around San Diego Comic-Con!

Late this afternoon and into the evening, a few blocks of the Gaslamp Quarter were so jammed with cosplayers posing in their elaborate costumes and onlookers turning every which way with phones and cameras, a person could barely move!

I’m not even going to attempt to identify every one of these great cosplays. It’s just too much. (But I must confess I really like both Ron Burgundy and the Sand-witch.)

As you can tell by these photos, 2019 Comic-Con is just as crazy and as wonderful as ever!

One more day of Comic-Con to come!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Comic-Con panel: The rise of Mexican filmmaking.

Today I attended a fascinating panel at 2019 Comic-Con titled Making a Bridge with Genre Movies. The panel wasn’t held in the San Diego Convention Center, but offsite in Barrio Logan, in the Artists’ Loft at BarrioHaus. Panels at this location tend to concentrate on Latinx culture and contributions to the popular arts.

Four panelists–Victor Osuna, Frank Rodriguez, Sebastian Finck and Mitch Hyman–discussed the rise of independent Mexican filmmaking and how Latin filmmakers have increasingly achieved success reaching an international audience. I was introduced to the hashtag #Jallywood, which is a combination of Jalisco and Hollywood. Filmmakers are striving to attract creative people for projects in Mexico.

I learned that using today’s technology, a quality film can be produced by anyone anywhere. With the internet, to achieve substantial success no longer requires a relocation to Hollywood or other media centers–it requires vision, passion, persistence, and a broadly appealing story. Good stories are universal in nature–all people react similarly to powerful human dramas and themes. Genres, styles and topics might be diverse, but basic human emotions are shared by all. Spicing a film with the culture of Mexico, or any other place, simply adds uniqueness and authenticity. The trick is connection: creating that irresistible appeal.

I learned that not only is the cost of producing a film in Mexico much less expensive than the United States, but there are fantastic settings (and stories) just waiting to be tapped. The opportunities in Mexico are wide open to any creator who is optimistic–who can see and grasp that unlimited future.

In this digital world, isn’t that true for much creative activity? While good equipment and skilled production is essential for filmmaking, isn’t it the extent to which the end product achieves likes and shares and downloads and streams that increasingly determines real success?

At the panel’s conclusion, the audience was asked to share their experience on social media.

Seems to me like good advice!

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Why did this panel fascinate me? I do a little writing here.

Galactus and three big celebrities spotted!

A big lineup of cosplay superheroes in the Gaslamp Quarter during 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!
A big lineup of cosplay superheroes in the Gaslamp Quarter during 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!

Galactus and three big celebrities, all spotted on Friday morning! Prepare to be stunned, stupefied and utterly amazed!

You never know who (or what) you’ll see while walking about San Diego Comic-Con!

Dude Vader cosplay.
Dude Vader cosplay.
Dude Vader is a local cosplayer who has recently begun making his elaborate costumes with 3D printing.
Dude Vader is a local cosplayer who has recently begun making his elaborate costumes with 3D printing.
Silver Surfer is taking a moment to rest. I wonder if that means Galactus is coming...
Silver Surfer is taking a moment to rest. I wonder if that means Galactus is coming…
Lennie James, who plays Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead, talks with VIPs at the DeadQuarters offsite during 2019 Comic-Con.
Lennie James, the actor who plays Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead, talks with VIPs at the DeadQuarters offsite during 2019 Comic-Con.
Hogwarts students cosplay. The first guy denied he's Cedric.
Hogwarts students cosplay. The first guy denied he’s Cedric.
Little Shop of Horrors cosplay. The most original cosplay I've seen so far during 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!
Little Shop of Horrors cosplay. The most original cosplay I’ve seen so far during 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!
Wonder Woman cosplay. She was in a hurry to vanquish a villain down the street.
Wonder Woman cosplay. She was in a hurry to vanquish a villain down the street.
Super powered folk seem to be everywhere during Comic-Con!
Super powered folk seem to be everywhere during Comic-Con!
Yikes! Joker spotted me.
Yikes! Joker spotted me.
Captain Marvel is arriving in the nick of time.
Captain Marvel is arriving in the nick of time.
Freddy Krueger cosplay.
Freddy Krueger cosplay.
Freddy Krueger checks his phone.
Freddy Krueger checks his phone.
I was told with absolute sincerity that this puppet is a big YouTube celebrity.
I was told with absolute sincerity that this puppet is a big YouTube celebrity! Now do you believe me? You thought I was joking?
The Krusty Krab Funfair is that way.
The Krusty Krab Funfair is that way.
Doctor Strange and Loki cosplay.
Doctor Strange and Loki cosplay.
These guys informed me they're the Brothers Burns.
These guys informed me they’re the Brothers Burns.
Conan O'Brien lounges on a yacht during Comic-Con.
Another big celebrity sighting! Conan O’Brien lounges on a yacht during Comic-Con.
Mexican Deadpool cosplay.
Mexican Deadpool cosplay.
Die, Bart, Die.
Die, Bart, Die.
Luigi cosplay.
Luigi cosplay.
Thor, Scarlet Witch and Captain America cosplay.
Thor, Scarlet Witch and Captain America cosplay.
Venom cosplay.
Venom cosplay.
Take a ride on this Nerd Chariot.
Take a ride on this Nerd Chariot.
Hellboy cosplay.
Hellboy cosplay.
Scarlet Witch and Shazam cosplay.
Scarlet Witch and Shazam cosplay.
Super awesome Black Widow and Galactus cosplay!
It’s the coming of Galactus! Told you so! Awesome Black Widow and Galactus cosplay!
Well, I spotted Galactus and one real celebrity. That's the best I could do.
Unless that’s a celebrity secretly disguised under those big ears, I did manage to spot Galactus and one real honest-to-goodness celebrity this morning at 2019 Comic-Con. That’s the best I could do.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

More super cool cosplay at Comic-Con!

Thanos with Infinity Gauntlet and Jean Grey as Phoenix cosplay.
Thanos with Infinity Gauntlet and Jean Grey as Phoenix cosplay.

Check out all these super cool cosplay photos that I took yesterday at 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!

Negan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage cosplay.
Negan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage cosplay.
Shazam cosplay.
Shazam cosplay.
Ape Avengers cosplay!
Ape Avengers cosplay!
Spider-Man cosplay.
Spider-Man cosplay.
Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn cosplay.
Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn cosplay.
Joker cosplay.
Joker in mask from The Dark Knight cosplay.
Cool dystopian character cosplay.
Cool dystopian character cosplay.
Captain Hook, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell cosplay.
Captain Hook, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell cosplay.
Jedi cosplay.
Jedi cosplay.
Cover Girl (G.I. Joe) and Firefly (Cobra) cosplay.
Cover Girl (G.I. Joe) and Firefly (Cobra) cosplay.
It's Sunny, mascot of the San Diego Sockers! Not sure if this is considered cosplay, but whatever.
It’s Sunny, mascot of the San Diego Sockers! Not sure if this is considered cosplay, but whatever.
John Coffey of The Green Mile cosplay.
John Coffey of The Green Mile cosplay.
Maleficent cosplay.
Maleficent cosplay.
Cool versions of Thor (or perhaps Steel) and Superman at Comic-Con.
Cool versions of Thor (or perhaps Steel) and Superman at Comic-Con.
Marge Simpson cosplay times three!
Marge Simpson cosplay times three!
Fred Flintstone cosplay.
Fred Flintstone cosplay.
Catwoman cosplay.
Catwoman cosplay.
Thor cosplay.
Thor cosplay.
Captain America cosplay.
Captain America cosplay.
Drax the Destroyer and Gamora cosplay.
Drax the Destroyer and Gamora cosplay.
Deadpool cosplay.
Deadpool cosplay.
Obi-Wan Kenobi cosplay.
Obi-Wan Kenobi cosplay.
Riddler and Harley Quinn on motorcycles cosplay!
Riddler and Harley Quinn on motorcycles cosplay!
Lots of cool cosplay can be seen at 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!
Lots of very cool cosplay can be seen at 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!