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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Fourteen: Expressing the meaning of buildings and structures > San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, California, 2007
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07-JUN-2007

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, California, 2007

The soaring atrium of this museum is capped by a signature skylight, which draws both sun and shadow into the building. I abstracted the huge skylight by zooming in on it, and turned my camera until the vast beams became repeating diagonal lines. The diagonals are straight, and contrast boldly to the curved shadows falling on the sides of the wall of the atrium just below them. A cloud-streaked sky creates a flow of counter diagonals on the outside of the building. The skylight and atrium stand as works of modern art in their own way, and I wanted this image to do justice to that art in what I hope will be a fresh and imaginative manner. Swiss architect Mario Botta designed this building in 1995.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/800s f/8.0 at 43.6mm iso100 full exif

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Phil Douglis23-Nov-2007 20:38
Thanks, Carol, for these words. Yes, I see the implied lunar eclipse here -- almost a series of them displayed as light and shadow on that wall. And yes, it is amazing how different photographers can interpret the same subject in so many ways -- each expressing their own stories, messages and truths. Your own interpretation at
http://www.pbase.com/image/89332438 is a work of art expressing the essence of another work of art.
Carol E Sandgren23-Nov-2007 20:12
Your verson on this MoMA architecture suggests lunar eclipse to me with it's curved rays of light. Amazing how different everyone sees the same subject!
Phil Douglis14-Nov-2007 00:40
Well said, Sonia. As an architect, you recognize the importance of essence in a work, and as you say, the skylight here defines the soul of the museum, bringing the work of nature and man together to give the outside world a presence within the museum's interior. By tilting my frame and carving into the shadowy circular sweep of the design, the skylight becomes a work of contemporary abstract art itself.
Guest 13-Nov-2007 19:19
Phil you have abstracted the most important part of this building into its essence. I love very much the simple lines and curves, the interplay of light and shadows, and the watercolor like sky in between the frames.
Phil Douglis21-Jun-2007 19:24
A space craft is a wonderful analogy, Ceci -- both the exploration of space, and the exploration of art here in this great museum will ultimately enrich mankind, and do so equally.
Guest 21-Jun-2007 17:56
What a wonderful abstract that combines the linear and graceful curves. It seems almost drawn, or hand-wrought, and gives the impression of a space craft tumbling out in the universe. Most appealing and clean!
Phil Douglis21-Jun-2007 17:39
I agree -- it is the contrast of the straight diagonals to the curving shadows that gives the yin to the yang here.
monique jansen21-Jun-2007 09:46
A study of contrasts and angles
Tim May20-Jun-2007 23:31
I am drawn to this image - I see it as yin/yang architecture- the play of light is vital - but for me it is the play of curve and line.
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