Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Go Braves!

Yes, it's true and I share so with pride...I am an Atlanta Braves fan! And have been since my pro baseball game in 1990.


Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field, Travis S. Taylor
Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field, Travis S. Taylor
The first game I attended, in 1990, was the year before the Braves started winning pennant after pennant after pennant—and a World Series.


Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
I was never a sports guy growing up, but the Braves changed that for me. Now I enjoy baseball, soccer, rugby, and play the occasional tennis and golf game.


Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
There's a lot going on at Turner Field, although this particular night was all about the game...a game the Braves won 9-8.


Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Admittedly, I'm not up on the players as well as I once was. I totally remember Javier Lopez and funny enough he moved to the Baltimore Orioles when I lived in Washington, D.C. But, of course I was always a fan of the home team, so when I lived in DC, I supported the Nats...the Washington Nationals, but my love for the Braves never went away.


Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
I've toured Turner Field—a fantastic tour by the way—and there tons to see. This brilliant Coca-Cola bottle on the Coca-Cola Sky Field is amazing! the label on the bottle is a video screen...that erupts in siren lights when we score or who's-up-next. Glad to see Coca-Cola supporting the Braves!


Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
It was great to be back at Turner Field...I've missed baseball. So glad to see so many out on a Monday night (this game was Monday, July 29, 2013, playing the Colorado Rockies).


Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
If you're visiting Atlanta during baseball season, definitely consider a Braves game. And  be sure you explore the Field...there's lots going on! Really...check out the tours!


Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
The parents of one of the friends I was there with was also there and they had field-side seats. I helped her bring dogs, pretzels, and beer to them, thus a great field view. Granted my own seats were pretty amazing.


Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
And you gotta love how much fun Turner Field has with the Jumbotron! The fan sightings between innings are brilliant!


Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field
Go Braves! A mantra I'll chant at games for years to come, for sure. Now then, if you find yourself searching for a game to attend and your schedule is pretty open, try to go on a Friday night...they do fireworks after the game!

Been to an Atlanta Braves game lately?

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Field Trip: MODA at MOCA

Last night, I went on another fantastic Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) "Field Trip"—part of the Museum's brilliant programming. This particular excursion took us to the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA).


Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Eileen Braun
Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Eileen Braun
I left the Museum having several favorite works, but the one that first caught my attention was "#2 Untitled" (Back Splash Bowls)" by Eileen Braun. At first I thought they were metal (Have you ever seen what happens to metal in outer space during a high impact collision?), but it turns out that they're ceramic and porcelain.


Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, William Mize
Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, William Mize
This playful piece, "The Climb" by William Mize, is clever and beautifully executed. 

This exhibition is exactly what MOCA GA is all about...featuring Georgia artists! When the call for entries went out, it was met with more than 3,000 submissions from 447 artists from throughout the State. Selected by a panel of three Georgia artists, alumni of MOCA GA's "Working Artist Project", 60 Georgia artists are represented in the exhibition.


Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Bojana Ginn
Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Bojana Ginn
There are a number of pieces, like "Synaptic Kiss 1" by Bojana Ginn, that capture and entice the imagination. Seemingly simple, this work totally fascinates me.

Our self-guided tour was preceeded by a welcome and introductory remarks by Annette Cone-Skelton, Co-Founder and President/CEO/Director of the Museum—yes, Annette wears numerous hats at MOCA GA! An artist herself, her passion and enthusiasm for MOCA GA is evidenced in her speaking about the Museum...and I for one and impressed and grateful for their providing exposure opportunities for Georgia artists.


Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA
Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA
You've heard me talk very excitedly about MODA Field Trips...they've consistently been great fun. This one was no exception...I had a great time. But the time went so quickly!

I was last at MOCA GA in January of this year to see Ayokunle Odeleye, a local pubic art artists, which also was a brilliant exhibition. This exhibition is remarkable, too. I can't imagine, based on the quality of work of the selected pieces, how they managed to select so few from so many. There's a lot of talent in our State!


Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Malaika Favorite
Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Malaika Favorite
Around every corner in the front three galleries, of the rather expansive Museum, are delightfully wonderful surprises like "Shirt and Vest" by Malaika Favorite

MOCA GA, founded in 2002, moved to its current location in the TULA Art Center on Bennett Street in January of 2007. The Museum includes numerous galleries, a library, archives, and an Education/Resource Center.


Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Stewart Ziff
Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Stewart Ziff
I was impressed by the range of medium represented in the exhibition. For example, this piece, "Radiance" by Stewart Ziff, is made of baked enamel on steel letters, cotton thread, an umbrella, and a flood light!


Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA
Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA
Armed with my camera, a glass of wine, and the knowledge imparted by Annette, I and my fellow MODA members explored MOCA GA until 7:00 p.m...they stayed open late, just for us!

Annette spoke of museum partnerships, including the one with MODA, and of another partnership for an upcoming exhibition. In February of 2014, in conjunction with the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, MODA, MOCA GA, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will partner to present "Score (sports + art)", an exhibition curated by Hope Cohn. From what we're told, it promises to be a brilliant exhibition!


Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Jon Field
Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Jon Field
You know, sometimes it's the most simple piece that is the most fascinating. I'd walked by this piece, "The Slipper Tongue" by Jon Field, several times before examining it closely. Finally, the "shiny" aspect of the piece grabbed my attention and would not let go until I'd fully explored what it was that so unforgivably demanded my attention—freely given, of course.

Having done some Picasso-inspired pointillism myself, when much, much younger, the medium of this piece I found remarkable—black velvet and steel pins...that's all! It's beautiful.


Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Taehoon Kim
Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Taehoon Kim
"How to Make a Baby Flower Blossom" by Taehoon Kim was a favorite piece of Clare's (MODA Patron Services), which she told me with a huge smile across her face. The piece is indeed pure delight...have a look—you can't help but smile!


Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Michael Scoffield
Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Michael Scoffield
Another of my personal favorites is the triptych "Fire and Ice" by Michael Scoffield. It's a piece that I would gladly add to my personal art collection.

This sharing is only the tip of the iceberg of the exhibition, so I'll leave you with strong encouragement to go check it out. MOCA GA is easy to find, has plenty of free parking, and employs very friendly staff...I think you'll have a great time!

And be sure to check out MODA's programming on their website and Social Media channels...there's ALWAYS something going on at MODA, including some upcoming events that I can hardly wait for. See you around the Museum!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

The BB&T Atlanta Open is in Full Swing!

The BB&T Atlanta Open is back in Atlanta and giving tennis fans lots to cheer about! Well, maybe not "cheer" about...tennis is one of the quieter spectator sports, after all (which I really kinda like).


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
The player roster is nicely balanced between seasoned favorites, such as Mardy Fish,  James Blake, and Lleyton Hewitt, and newcomers—or at least newcomers to me—including brothers Ryan and Christian Harrison, and Michael Russell—not a newcomer, but the first time I've seen him play, and play he did—defeating Mardy Fish in last night's games.


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
The BB&T Atlanta Open is again taking place at Atlantic Station—easy to get to, easy (flat rate) parking, plenty to eat and drink,(there's a fun covered bar onsite), great shopping, and clean "facilities"—a nice (important) surprise. 

Atlantic Station is also offering a discount to shoppers who show their tennis tickets...full details at the games!


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station - Michael Russell
I am very grateful for my tickets—a generous gift from Laura Flusche, Executive Director at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) who won them from event sponsor Peachtree Tents & Events. So, "Thank you, Laura" for the tickets and for making sure they were indeed used, and "Thank you, Peachtree Tents & Events" for sponsoring the event and for being so generous with tickets...and I love what you do on Facebook and other Social Media channels!


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station, Lleyton Hewitt
It was really quite interesting to observe the power and energy of the younger and newer players contrasted by the purpose and strategy of the more seasoned players. I'm sure that's a natural progression—in many professions—but I don't recall noticing it quite as much as I did last night. 


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station, Ryan Harrison
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station, Ryan Harrison
Ryan Harrison hosted a meet and greet and gave away autographed Corona (another sponsor) tee-shirts in a fan-cheering round of trivia. Fun, charming, energetic...Ryan's PR skills are commendable, as were his fans, of all ages, who were super enthusiastic! Okay, I'll admit it, I got an autograph, too.


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
Games are ongoing through the weekend...culminating in Singles and Doubles Finals this Sunday.


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station, James Blake
I'd seen a number of the players before—at the Citi Open (formerly known as the Legg Mason Tennis Classic) in Washington, D.C.—including James Blake, Lleyton Hewitt, and Mardy Fish. It was great to see them again!


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station, Mardy Fish
I did find it interesting that the fans—at least in last night's crowd—by far favored the more seasoned of the players, even if his opponent was American. Their loyalty was admirable. And that's been my experience...tennis fans aren't terribly fickle. Once they like a player, they're with that player throughout their career.


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station, Tim Smyczek
It was a great night of tennis! I do hope you make it out to see these guys...it's only going to get more exciting from here!


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
Ummm...and it goes without saying, BUT...be sure you wear sunscreen; bring your sunglasses; if you have it bring a pad for your seat (so that you're comfortable for the 6-8 or more hours of tennis you'll be watching from your seat); and bring your camera (but know that larger zoom lenses are not allowed in—you can bring a zoom, but there is a cutoff on size).


BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlantic Station
Now, head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more photos of last night's fantastic tennis! And then get your tickets for this weekend's play...have fun!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Dramatic Light at Sunset

A trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden yesterday, when the sunlight was drifting in practically sideways creating dramatic contrast, yielded some great black and white photos...

High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden
High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden
These were all made in the High Elevation House, part of the Fuqua Orchid Center...

High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden
High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden
The plants in the High Elevation House include orchids that grow at 6,000 to 10,000 feet elevation...

High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden
High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden
Three geographic regions are represented in the High Elevation House: the Andes Mountains; the flat, table-topped "tepui" mountains of Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia; and Mount Kinabalu, on the island of Borneo...

High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden
High Elevation House, Atlanta Botanical Garden
Next time you're playing tourist, have your camera at the ready just before sunset when the sunlight is coming in "sideways"...and enjoy making some dramatic photos!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design

Earlier today I popped into the Museum of Design Atlanta's (MODA) newest exhibition, "XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design" just to make a few photos. Well, two hours later and after earning a couple of spaces on the 'high score' board of Centipede, I finally had to pull myself away so I wouldn't be late for my next destination, but departed with the resolve to return very soon—I'm totally going to make highest score on Centipede!


XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta
XYZ opened only a week ago, so you still have plenty of time to see the exhibition...and play some of the more than a dozen video games and other clever games. I'd encourage you to go with a friend or friends...while there are a number of solo games, a lot of them are two or more players, so to make the most of it...bring friends! XYZ runs through September 2.


XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
The games run the gamut in kinds and types...they have everything from the classic arcade favorite "Centipede" to video games of strategy with Hollywood-quality graphics, teaching video games to games of reflection. 


XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta
It was super cool to see the Museum so busy on a Sunday afternoon, and even cooler than that was the visitors represented so many very different people...there were people of various ages—from young kids to senior citizens—and men, women, friends, families, and even people on dates...what a great place for a fun, not-the-expected kind of date!

The exhibition is very much like a lot of previous MODA exhibitions with regard to its having something for everyone. Yea, yea, I know..that sounds corny, but it's true. The gamer, video game enthusiast, history buff, design student, vacationing family, and tourists of all kinds are going to have a great time here.

XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta
I love how MODA utilizes its hallway gallery! For this exhibition, it's their "Timewall", which features milestones in game design and games created by women.

XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta
To borrow from the exhibition's brochure:

"XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design" is the first-ever exhibition that highlights the work of women as game designers and artists by presenting a broad spectrum of playful interactive media of all types."

The Timewall chronologically presents some of the more significant contributions by women in the game design arena...some you'll know and some you'll learn about for the first time. One of the more familiar stops on the Timewall is "The Sims", one of the most commercially successful video games of all time. Do you remember The Sims?

XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
"The Den" is a great space, in another of the galleries, where home-inspired settings are staged for group play. And there are friendly volunteers helping visitors with the various games and answering exhibition questions.

One of them helped me with a game of strategy that was adapted from a comic book. Granted, it's been a few years since I've played a new video game or read a comic book even, so you can imagine how captivated I was that the digital comic book that's included with that game—really an introduction to the comic book—which is animated! But not like an animated film, just interactive animations that contribute to the storytelling. Click, click, click...

XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta
Photography is permitted except in the back gallery, where there are some super cool aspects of the exhibition.

To quote one of the featured designers, Brenda Brathwaite, and I think this really captures what gaming is all about...:
"Much like photography, paintings, literature and music are capable of transmitting the full range of the human experience from one human to another, so too can games."
Also, Brathwaite recently authored "Breaking into the Game Industry," which is available in the Museum's gift shop, as are a range of books about gaming.


XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
The next time I visit, I'm going to make sure I don't have to be anywhere! 

Speaking of visiting, there's some fantastic programming scheduled for XYZ. There are Field Trips, Design Conversations and Drink in Design events that span the duration of the exhibition. I already have several on my calendar. 

A number of the events are on the exhibition's brochure, but others have been added since printing, so you'll want to "Like" them on Facebook to be sure you learn about all that's going on...that's how I found out about the Field Trip to MOCA-GA this coming Friday!


XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about "Flatlands", a game in the back gallery by Nathalie Pozzi and Eric Zimmerman with graphic design by Rachel Morris. It's a three person game—two players and a judge. What totally blows my mind about this game is that it utilizes 165 game boards! Doesn't that sound like loads of fun?!

The exhibition is a progressive one, too. A couple of the featured games, "Mainichi" and "Dys4ia", are autobiographical games that explore the experiences of someone going through gender reassignment, with the specific goal of creating an atmosphere of empathy and understanding.


XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
Whether a zinser or a vacationing family, come to XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design for a little learning, a little history, some culture, and lots of fun. And remember to connect with MODA on Social Media. And if time is a challenge, the Museum is open until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings.

For the first-ever "exhibition that highlights the work of women as game designers" I think the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) has done a superlative job! They're definitely on the 'high score' board with this tourist!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Party With the Past...and the Elephants, Flamingos, Kangaroos, Etc., Etc.

The Atlanta History Center sure knows how to throw a wild party! 

Last night's Party With the Past was hosted by Zoo Atlanta, and what a perfect night for it. Okay, it was a little 'sticky', but not totally unbearable. There were cool beverages and ice cream available for "necessary" heat treatment.

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
My intention was to make a bunch of photos of just how much fun everyone was having, but I was so distracted by all the animals—and their antics—that I never got around to people pix! So...

My favorite of all the animals I saw last night—and some of the larger animals had retired for the evening so were not visible—was this incredibly animated bear! What looks like anguish on his face is really just him having a little fun.


"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
I think everyone else's favorite had to be the Panda. While Lun Lun was off nursing the newborns (they had a monitor where we could watch PandaCam), one of the others was frolicking around its habitat, just having a blast showing off for all the party-goers.


"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
Any regular at Zoo Atlanta knows that visitors are greeted by Flamingo Plaza....and were they in a mood last night! Let's just say there were lots of ruffled feathers and leave it at that.

One of the cool sights in this habitat was watching them, not in the water, but in a small grove of bamboo toward the back of the habitat...an odd, but kinda cool sight.


"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
I mentioned that a lot of the larger animals were not on display, but I did manage to make a LOT of photos of birds...birds that I've never seen before! The bio-diversity on this planet just amazes me...and we get to see so little of it. Thank goodness for the education mission of zoos...it'd be a much smaller world if it weren't for them!


"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
There were however a few of the larger animals out and about, including the elephants—who seemingly ate the entire evening. Then again, that's a lot to feed! 

My friend Barry commented on the fact that elephants in Georgia are not gray as they are in the wild...that's, of course, compliments of Georgia Red Clay! If you're from here or have spent any time here, you know exactly what he was talking about!


"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
I wish I'd noted the names of some of these remarkable animals...like I said, there were many that I'd never seen or even heard of! Fortunately, the Zoo has a great listing of its residents on their website.


"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
Totally fun was a trio of kangaroos, who were mostly distracted by whatever it was that they were doing, while occasionally checking out their spectators. Such fascinating creatures! Next time you're at the Zoo, check out how they "walk"...I found myself wondering "why" they evolved the way they did.


"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
Perhaps the most friendly to the camera are the turtles and tortoises...they're not engaged in hopping, running, swinging, swimming, flying, or any other not-so-camera-friendly activity. And they're fascinating creatures in their own right...it's pretty amazing just how diverse this species of animal really is.


"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
Some of the animals are behind "fence", particularly the birds—although some of those habitats have a Plexiglas viewing area, as well...much better for photo-making. So, that's not totally camera-friendly, but it can offer some pretty cool effects if you decide to just have fun with it.


"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta
Thanks to the animated feature film Madascar, you can't help but love the Meerkat. These entertaining creatures are so animated and friendly...you can't help but walk away with a smile on your face.

So, speaking of smiling...it was a great party! There was an Elephant Feeding and Keeper Talk, a discussion of Zoo Atlanta's history—presented by Deputy Director Dwight Lawson, a Bird Feeding and Keeper Talk, and an African Ground Hornbill Feeding...there was a LOT going on, in addition to all the guests hanging with their friends and making new ones.

Now, go "Like" the Atlanta History Center (and Zoo Atlanta) on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube...everywhere you can find them, so that you'll get the announcement for the next Party With the Past

And by all means, go visit the Center and the Zoo in person!