Old and New

May 24

I am thankful for the old and the new. I love modern but I also love "retro". There is something nostalgic and historical about old buildings or things. In contrast, there is something clean and different about modern and new.

This photo shows two contrasting Baton Rouge landmarks: The Shaw Center for the Arts (on the left), an ultramodern structure but sleek, shiny, and new contrasted with one of the oldest landmarks in Baton Rouge, the Old State Capitol, a gothic architectural landmark. The photo was taken from the fourth floor River Terrace outdoor plaza at the Shaw Center looking left to the other part of the Shaw building and, on the right, the Old State Capitol building. The Shaw Center actually combines an older 1930's looking brick building (the part the photo was taken from) with the comtemporary glass and metal structure seen in the photo. The Shaw Center contains museums and a performing arts theatre, as well as eateries and the LSU Museum of Art Museum Store. My son John played with a band at this theatre last year. It holds 325 people, has two balconies, and an exceptional sound system. The Old State Capitol was built between 1847-1852 and served as the Louisiana seat of government until the opening of the new state capitol in 1932. It has been reconstructed and restored several times since and is even undergoing a restoration now. Now it serves as a museum of political history and a place for weddings and events. The inside features a large beautiful stained glass domed window over a huge and beautiful spiral staircase. Although, Mark Twain once remarked that this building, which resembles a castle, was "pathetic ... that a whitewashed castle, with turrets and things ... should ever have been built in this otherwise honorable place." I disagree. It is now an icon and a beautiful and historical place.

May 24b

old and new

i love old

and i love new

it’s whatever works

in my own view.

© rt tulley