Design Changes Everything

What I like most about Design for Social Impact is that it's not preachy, it doesn't tell us what we should be doing, but instead celebrates what we are doing to effect change in the world...positive change. 

"Design Changes Everything", emblazoned on the main corridor, sets the tone for the experience visitors are about to enjoy as they enter the exhibit now on display at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)...and I believe it to be a truth.

As soon as visitors enter the exhibit, they're invited to join or start a conversation about the exhibition's subject. The comments are an assortment of brilliance, cleverness, humor, and unbounded hope.

How do you define design? To borrow from MODA's exhibition, this is a definition I particularly like...

"I believe that design is problem solving with grace and foresight. I believe that there is always a better way. I believe that design is a human instinct, that people are inherently optimistic, that every man is a designer, and that every problem can either be defined as a design problem or solved with a design solution."  — Emily Pilloton 

Design for Social Impact, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

It's great to share the Soccket with you during the World Cup. I can imagine hearing an interview with a future World Cup athlete sharing the story of how the Soccket fueled their dream to become a world-class soccer player. 

What many of us do not realize is that nearly two billion people on the planet live in areas where electricity is unreliable or unavailable. Without question, this affects learning opportunities...kids can't read or do their homework at night—to name only one issue of being without electricity.

In many of those areas, soccer is incredibly popular among youngsters. Sockket is a ball with a small portable generator inside—currently being redeveloped for greater durability—that "harnesses kinetic energy from play and converts it into electrical energy." Only 30 minutes of playing ball can generate enough electricity to power an LED lamp for three hours. That alone carries the potential for so many possibilities.

Design for Social Impact, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

The Design Conversation on Thursday, July 10, will feature Dr. Nicholas Giovinco, a food and ankle surgeon with an incredible passion for technology and and engaging personality. 

I had the pleasure of speaking with him about how he uses 3D printing to prepare for foot surgery. I'm hoping to learn more about the process and other possibilities 3D printing promises the medical field. Stay tuned for more from Dr. Giovinco, and register for the July 10 Design Conversation in the meantime.

Design for Social Impact, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

The Mad Housers is a nonprofit organization that provides shelter for the homeless, low-income housing for those in need, and they help people develop the skills to construct and repair housing. 

The brilliant thing about what they do isn't just their contribution, but the philosophy they embrace in giving. They "believe that if a person has a secure space from which to operate, they are much more capable of finding the resources to help themselves." I love that!

Want to know more? Hear from them directly at a Design Conversation at the Museum on Tuesday, July 22.

Design for Social Impact, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

So many of the exhibits in Design for Social Impact are obvious heavy hitters. But as lighthearted as "I wish this was..." seems, I was enthralled with the possibilities this initiative invites. 

The "Dragon's Lair" visitor-written sticker is certainly fun, however in practical application, the project has enjoyed success in creating opportunities to connect people who can together effect community improvements and bring dreams to fruition. Be sure to read more about "I wish this was..." when you visit.

Design for Social Impact, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

The Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter System carries the potential to change the world unlike anything I've ever seen. 

It's an "engine", better described as a fuel cell, with zero moving parts that in a simple form could "draw energy from the human body in order to power portable electronic devices"...imagine no more being without a way to recharge your mobile phone!

Did I mention that  the inventors, students, social change agents and others behind Design for Social Impact are all from the Southeast? Dr. Johnson is an Atlanta resident. I love that we have this level of brilliance right here!

Design for Social Impact, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

Georgia Tech students bring to Design for Social Impact the design for a multi-use building where "the total amount of energy used by the building must be equal to the amount of renewable energy that it creates."

I have to point out that to get the full benefit of Design for Social Impact, you'll want to make time to read the placards coupled with the displays. I've been been pleasantly surprised and totally fascinated throughout both of my visits to the exhibition—and I know I'll be back at least a couple more times.

Design for Social Impact, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

Design for Social Impact is segmented by discipline, including Energy, Housing, Community, Education, Healthcare and others. You have to admit, there's ample opportunity to create positive change in our world.

Design for Social Impact, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

Once again, I feel like I'm giving away too much, but believe me, I've only scratched the surface. There's quite a lot to discover here and a lot to make you feel good about what your fellow Southerns are doing to change the world for the better.

Design for Social Impact, Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

Be sure to read all the way down this wall (above) when you visit the exhibit. I discovered a surprising revelation of how certain household items came into being...out of compassion nonetheless. I'm proud to have more than a dozen of their products in my kitchen!

Design for Social Impact is on exhibit at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) through Sunday, August 3. When you long for some good news about the human race, look to today's design innovations...I think you'll quickly agree that "design changes everything."

10 Reasons to Visit the Center for Puppetry Arts

There are far more than 10 reasons to visit the Center for Puppetry Arts...there are thousands! But for now, and in no particular order, here are 10 fun, festive, and otherwise wonderful reasons to explore the Center for Puppetry Arts...

Madame, Center for Puppetry Arts

1. You get to hang out with celebrities whose humor is evergreen! Have you met Madame?

Center for Puppetry Arts

2. You get to hang out with Queen Elizabeth I. She may not be the current Queen of England, but how often do you get to be in the presence of royalty?

Charlie Muskrat and Harvey Beaver, Center for Puppetry Arts

3. You get to hang out and make music with a muskrat and a beaver...and quite a few other Jim Henson creations!

The Pointer Sisters, Center for Puppetry Arts

4. You get to "Jump" with The Pointer Sisters!

Peter Pan, Center for Puppetry Arts

5. You get to fly with Peter Pan!

Lil' Patti, Center for Puppetry Arts

6. You get to sing and chat with Lil' Patti!

Center for Puppetry Arts

7. You get to hang out with lots of happy people...and happy puppets!

Cinderella, Center for Puppetry Arts

8. You get to try on shoes with Cinderella! Not really, but you can see a magical adaptation of the Cinderella story.

Skesis, Center for Puppetry Arts

9. You get to meet a larger-than-life Skesis from The Dark Crystal!

Pinocchio, Center for Puppetry Arts

10. You get to walk around with Pinocchio...just watch his step!

There you go...10 perfectly good reasons to visit the Center for Puppetry Arts, one of Atlanta's absolutely fascinating tourist and learning destinations.

The museum alone is home to more than 350 puppets, of all sorts. The total count doesn't include performances, classes, workshops, new exhibits, and an upcoming, quite significant expansion! Puppets, puppets, puppets!

Head to the Center for Puppetry Arts and explore. There's something for kids of all ages!

A Dream Come True

The highly anticipated and thus far wildly successful exhibition Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas is—especially for this auto enthusiast—spectacular! Driving around town in any of these 17 beauties, currently on display at the High Museum of Art, would make even Atlanta rush hour a splendid experience...it'd be a dream come true.

Dream Cars, High Museum of Art

I'm going to share with you photos of only a few of the cars. That way you'll still have plenty to see when you go to the exhibit yourself...and you do want to go to this one!

There are a number of events specific to the exhibition, one of which would be a great Fathers Day outing. This Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m., there's a tour of Dream Cars led by exhibition curator Sarah Schleuning. And if you want to throw in a little something extra, the exhibition catalogue is stunning.

Dream Cars, High Museum of Art

Have a look at the above car. That's the Norman Timbs' Special (1947). Would you believe that it was a backyard project? It was!

It took Timbs 2.5 years to complete the project and approximately $10,000—in 1947 dollars. That's more than just a hobby!

Professionally, Timbs was an automotive engineer, so he knew what he was doing. What I didn't know, but recently learned, was that he worked on the Tucker automobile. I had the wonderful joy of seeing one in Albany, Georgia, many, many moons ago—beautiful, beautiful car!

Dream Cars, High Museum of Art

The Bugatti on exhibit looks like something Howard Hughes would have built or something right out of The Rocketeer. And I know a whole lot of Steampunkers who are going to LOVE this automobile!

Dream Cars, High Museum of Art

I've tried to not pick a favorite, but the Bugatti speaks to me. Loudly! Everything about it is alluring, from its modern sleekness, to its obvious place in history, from the exquisite details to the comfort beckoning from inside...if I were offered to be able to drive home "only one" car from the exhibition, it would be the Bugatti. And what an awesome color, too!

Dream Cars, High Museum of Art

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know how much I love making close-up photographs. There's so much to see in details. I love a gorgeous landscape photograph as much as the next guy, but I really like to explore up close. 

It's amazing what you can see in the details...in the case of the makers of each and every car in Dream Cars, you see passion, expertise, and love of design. And of course the love of cars.

Dream Cars, High Museum of Art

These cars, created "from the early 1930s to the 21st Century, pushed the limits of imagination and foreshadowed the future of design with progressive and innovative ideas." - High Museum of Art

I love that there are a few cars in the exhibition that beckon to the future days of George Jetson, this rare Buick Centurion being one of them. This one actually brings to mind all kinds of associations.

The bubble roof makes me think of George Jetson's car. The front of the car, having recently gone swimming with the Whale Sharks, made me think of Manta Rays. And the back of it totally makes me think of the "jet" exhaust on the Batmobile. It's gorgeous inside and out!

Dream Cars, High Museum of Art

The rare, and in some cases one-of-a-kind, automobiles in Dream Cars were designed by Ferrari, Bugatti, General Motors, Porsche and others. The newest car on display is a 2010 Porsche “Spyder 918 concept car”...AND...there's a contemporary design workshop.

Have you heard about the new Porsche Driving Center being built here in Atlanta?

The exhibition is truly spectacular! You'll want to give yourself plenty of time to explore. There's ample reading, there's an audio tour option, and these cars are packed with details that fascinate and cause you to marvel.

Dream Cars, High Museum of Art

This car, Paul Arzens’ “L’Oeuf électrique” (1942), is an electric bubble car designed by Arzens for his personal use in Paris during the German occupation. The car is...adorable! And so far ahead of its time.

In the photo above, I knew I'd want to show some reference to demonstrate just how tiny this car is. You see the small Smart Car on roads today...Arzens' car is so much smaller! This is also the first time it's ever been in the United States, so it's a real treat to get to see it.

Even smaller...there's a car in the exhibition that's a mere 33 inches tall!

Dream Cars, High Museum of Art

If minivans looked like William Stout’s “Scarab” (1936), the genesis of the contemporary minivan, EVERY family would be driving one! 

Of course there's more than the 17 spectacular automobiles. The show also features conceptual drawings—which immediately launch the imagination—and scale models, to demonstrate the stages of the design process.

Dream Cars, High Museum of Art

Having owned two BMWs in my personal automotive history, Christopher Bangle’s BMW “GINA Light Visionary Model” (2001), is particularly fascinating for me. 

It's not only beautiful, it features an exterior made of fabric! Of course you can't touch the car, but the museum was brilliant to offer a big swatch of the fabric that visitors are invited to touch.

So, there you have it. How's that for a teaser of so many dreams come true?

Drive on over to the High Museum of Art to see Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas, and be sure to get there before September 7.

Tellus Revisited (PREVIEW)

Yesterday was Barry's (my best friend) birthday and he wanted to do something away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We spent the day at Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia...and we had so much fun we closed the place down! 

We celebrated with other friends in the evening, but that's another story...for another time...but probably not here. But I can say that we had a fantastic time!

There's lots to share about revisiting Tellus, but sadly little time to write about it at the moment. In the meantime, here's a teaser photo...this guy is 15 feet wide! And check out Tellus' website for upcoming events and permanent exhibits...all worthy of a visit!

Protostega, Tellus Science Museum

Evita

To borrow from a Julie Bookman article in the musical's playbill, Evita is the story of "a common girl with uncommon ambition" whose drive led to becoming the First Lady of Argentina and one of the country's most beloved citizens—considered a living saint by many.

President Peron and Evita (Photo: Richard Termine)

I remember the excitement when it was announced that Madonna would star in the movie Evita. I was beyond excited to go on a two week vacation to Argentina where I saw Casa Rosada and Eva Peron's tomb in Recoleta Cemetery. And "excitement" doesn't begin to describe what I felt when I knew that I had tickets to see Evita on stage at the Fox Theatre. 

Evita is playing at the Fox through Sunday, June 8, 2014. And there aren't a lot of chances to see it left. Atlanta is the 25th of 28 cities on this tour.

Evita and Che (Photo: Richard Termine)

Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, about the performance was spectacular! Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical so deserved its Tony Award!

From the purposefully slow unlayering to eventually reveal the full stage, to the remarkable, high-energy stamina of the performers...this show captivates moment after moment after moment.

The actors, Caroline Bowman (Eva Peron), Josh Young (Che), Sean MacLaughlin (President Peron), and every other member of the cast, performed brilliantly. Their voices...perfection. Their dancing...perfection. Their acting...perfection.

Touring Cast of Evita (Photo: Richard Termine)

The costumes were spot-on! The first gown that Eva wore to the balcony created a slight gasp as its sparkling glory was fully revealed. And costume after costume...true to the era. 

I didn't understand at first why Caroline was undressed on stage so often, but after you realize the vast number of costume changes, you get that it would have been a four-hour show if she'd returned backstage to change every time.

The lighting...oh, the lighting! The lighting is exquisite. It exactingly adds to the overall performance, yet could stand on its own as award-worthy.

Set design, of this caliber, is an art in and of itself. And the set designer(s) of Evita are indeed talented. I believe I was most impressed with what they did with the balcony...I love those kinds of surprises! (No, I'm not going to spoil the surprise...you'll have to see it for yourself.)

And I want to give the orchestra a virtual standing ovation for playing so beautifully. I would love to know more about them.

Casa Rosada (Photo: Travis S. Taylor)

All of the photos in this post, except for the one above and below, are by Richard Termine—and beautiful photographs they are. The one above, even though not the greatest photo, is one I made of Casa Rosada, 10 years ago. 

It was moving and quite special to see a live performance of what happened on that very same balcony so many decades ago. I distinctly remember sauntering around the palace...in no particular hurry to be anywhere, wanting to soak in as much as we could. Special, indeed...

Travis S. Taylor in Buenos Aires, Argentina

No, no...I'm not pretending to be on the balcony of Casa Rosada. That's just me coming in from the balcony of our hotel in Buenos Aries. 

It was October 25, 2004, a glass of champagne before we were on the way to the Teatro Colon—the fourth largest opera house in the world—to celebrate my friend Jay's birthday. We'd been on a behind-the-scenes tour of the opera house earlier that day. 

It wasn't even my birthday and I had such an amazing time!

First Lady Eva Peron (Photo: Richard Termine)

I'm no stranger to the stage—especially the stage of the Fox Theatre—so when I say this is one of the best shows I've seen...it's one of the best shows I've seen! If you've not yet been or do not yet have your tickets to see Evita, get them! Treat yourself to one of the best shows you'll have seen in the last decade. 

And, before I step away from the stage, here are a few highlights from the 2012 Broadway performance...

Journey with Gentle Giants...Whale Sharks!

Swimming with the "Gentle Giants", the four Whale Sharks at Georgia Aquarium—as well as thousands more animals in the same habitat—is one of those top-ranking life experiences that I will never, ever forget.

And a lifetime of gratitude to my best friend Barry for gifting the experience to me. Our Swim was a few weeks ago and I'm still in awe of just how close we were to the Whale Sharks and Manta Rays...and many others. "Incredible" just doesn't begin to describe how awesome an experience this was!

Swim with Gentle Giants, Whale Sharks, Georgia Aquarium

I've done some pretty cool things. Right up there with skydiving, a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, attending a live satellite launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, and meeting Leonard Nimoy, the Swim with Whale Sharks experience at Georgia Aquarium is one that I'll cherish forever and always. It was that awesome!

In anticipation, we arrived early to explore the Aquarium, specifically to see the current special exhibition Sea Monsters Revealed: Aquatic Bodies, and of course we had to pop in to see the Whale Sharks...the ones we would momentarily be swimming with. 

We reserved spots on the 4:30 p.m. Swim on a Friday, and they ask that swimmers check-in a half hour early, which we did. One of the super nice things about this swim is that there are a maximum of eight (8) swimmers, which makes for an intimate experience.

Swim with Gentle Giants, Whale Sharks, Georgia Aquarium

The above photo is the top of the Ocean Voyager habitat, where the four Whale Sharks and various other residents had just made our acquaintance.

Everything you need for the Swim is included. A wet suit, locker rooms to change in, breathing apparatuses...and your ticket gives you access to see the dolphin show, Deepo's show, special exhibitions, all the main galleries, as well as a souvenir photograph, a t-shirt, and the option to purchase a DVD of your Swim (check out ours on YouTube). 

You won't soon forget the experience, but the mementos are nice to have.

Swim with Gentle Giants, Whale Sharks, Georgia Aquarium

Once we were checked-in there was an orientation. A very important orientation. The thing that sticks out most in my mind was the "don't touch" rule. The Whale Sharks get really, really, really close, but no touching! Most importantly, it could spook them and eventually make them leery of swimmers, meaning the end of such an incredible experience...for anyone!

The Georgia Aquarium Dive Team and other staff were incredibly helpful and put everyone at ease. I never once felt unattended. In fact, they were so amazing that I felt like a total VIP...during the entirety of the experience!

The Ocean Voyager habitat has two distinct areas. One is 20-feet deep and the other is 30-feet deep, with the acrylic viewing tunnel being the delineation between the two. 

You'll see in our video that you have the opportunity to wave at tourists in the tunnel, which is a great place for family and/or friends to view your experience if they're not themselves swimming.

Swim with Gentle Giants, Rays, Georgia Aquarium

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming...swimming...swimming..."...should that little ditty pop into your mind, just try not to laugh. But how can you not laugh at Ellen Degeneres' humor?! 

While swimming you can see inside the acrylic tube perfectly, but you can't see the other side of the gigantic acrylic wall...apparently the angle of the wall doesn't work for swimmers, but of course the divers can see those visitors just fine.

The Georgia Aquarium Swim Team let on that it would be super cool to be grazed by one of the Whale Sharks, which is the only contact you get because of the "no touch" rule. Well, as close as I got, I had no contact, but was still blown away! 

BUT, Barry had the great fortune to experience a "snag and drag"—that's what I coined it anyway. The tail fin of one of the Whale Sharks snagged him and pulled him a few feet. Not alarming at all...they swim so slowly.

The Swim Team had told us a story about something similar happening to another swimmer, but he'd been pulled a while longer. When "rescued", he said something to the effect of, "Let's do that again!"

Swim with Gentle Giants, Sharks, Georgia Aquarium

As a former Sailor in the United States Navy, water feels very natural to me and I love the ocean...I was born in St. Peterburg, Florida, so water is in my blood. However, I never took my eyes off the 'other' sharks. And, only half jokingly, I confirmed with our guide Jodi that our put-in point was NOT near the feeding station. 

Wouldn't want to confuse any of the carnivorous animals, right?! Speaking of which, some of my friends asked about the Whale Sharks...they're huge! Their throats are only the size of a walnut...so they're not going to swallow you, even if they tried, which they're not.

Swim with Gentle Giants, Grouper, Georgia Aquarium

The Grouper, from what I perceived in conversation, are some of the the more worrisome of the animals in the habitat, BUT the support staff have "tools" to dissuade the Grouper. I've never felt safer in the water...these guys and gals know what they're doing!

The above photo doesn't show you just how humongous the Grouper...they're HUGE! Really HUGE! You can see it—in person—through the gigantic acrylic viewing window. I LOVE that window! 

Swim with Gentle Giants, Rays, Georgia Aquarium

When you're swimming, the Whale Sharks, as well as the Manta Rays, will sneak up on you...not trying to scare you, of course, because they've invited you into their home. But seriously...you're swimming along and "Pow!"...there's a gigantic creature a mere feet away from you.  

Just remember not to touch them and know that you have several of the Georgia Aquarium Swim Team there to help, just in case.

Swim with Gentle Giants, Operating Room, Georgia Aquarium

I mentioned that we'd arrived early to breeze though Sea Monsters. Breezing through is impossible...wonderfully surprising, it's a substantial exhibition! And we were invited to an unofficial pre-swim surprise tour where we got to see the Aquarium's operating room.

 Read more about our visit to Sea Monsters here.

Speaking of staying healthy, a quick word of advice...if you deal with blood sugar issues, like I do, arrive early to eat at the cafe, or dine before you arrive—there are some fantastic restaurants in the area!

On numerous occasions over the years, I've headed to Cafe Aquaria to discover that it was already closed. In this particular case, I'd brought a protein bar with me and that held me over until we were finished, around 7:30 p.m., when we headed to Max's nearby for a fantastic pizza dinner!

Swim with Gentle Giants, Behind the Scenes Tour, Georgia Aquarium

After we'd finished our Swim and had been 'debriefed', one of the volunteers, Mim, treated us to a little more of the behind-the-scenes of the Aquarium, including the roof of the "recreation of a tropical Pacific coral reef, complete with an overhead crashing wave" in the Tropical Diver gallery. We got to see the mechanics of what creates that wave...beyond impressive!

I know I haven't shut up, but I feel like I'm robbing you of so much of the enthusiasm that this experience deserves. Seriously...this is one of the most wonderful things I've ever done, ever experienced!

Swim with Gentle Giants, Sharks, Georgia Aquarium

That's Barry in the above photo during our Swim preview. We were so excited that we were almost late, but ended up having plenty of time between check-in and the start of the program. But don't push it...you don't want to miss any part of this experience!

I didn't expect to have so much to "say" about this experience...and there's so much more to say! And there's so much that I can only feel...that there are no words for. If you find yourself wanting and able to Journey with Gentle Giants, then do! It was such an incredible experience.

Of course we opted for the video of our Swim. This version includes some of the Aquarium's 'glamour shots', which you don't want to miss, and then there's our Swim...