LauderBlog
Feb 29: Reflections on Black History and Diversity
Posted On: February 29, 2008 11:03 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Black History Month is an effort to reclaim and restore an important part of the cultural fabric which makes up this country’s history. Contributions of African Americans in various fields are traditionally highlighted, but this annual celebration is also a time of reflection. In Greater Fort Lauderdale that reflection can take on angles and twists as distinctive as the city’s downtown skyline or Las Olas Isles.
For instance, a current exhibit at the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Community: African Americans in Fort Lauderdale, highlights working-class history from the earliest migration of Bahamians and blacks from Georgia and South Carolina to find work as the area was settled in the late 1800s. Many of the black and white photographs are being exhibited for the first time at the historic New River Inn, and they will be on view for visitors until April 1.
Farmers, harvesters, packers, shippers, and stevedores all helped to lay the foundation for the internationally known cosmopolitan area that Fort Lauderdale has become. Roots are important - but so is growth.
Several miles from downtown, new projects are underway in the western city of Lauderhill and they promise to add a new page to the multicultural story. The West Indian cultures of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago already add spice to the diversity of the area. Soon we’ll have a Caribbean-themed shopping mall, and the Bobby Jones Gospel Complex for Education and Preservation, and both are certain to lure even more international visitors to the area.
In Greater Fort Lauderdale, history and progress capitalize on the county’s nationally-touted reputation as one of the most culturally diverse in the U.S. The area has the demographics of what the U.S. will look like within the next 20 years in terms of the mix of African Americans, whites, and Hispanics, and the Asian population is also growing. Seminole Indians maintain a prosperous reservation right in the heart of the county where visitors can patronize businesses and explore Native American culture without having to travel far.
We have much diversity to reflect upon - and celebrate - during Black History Month and the rest of the year as well.
- Kitty Oliver, Author/Oral Historian
For instance, a current exhibit at the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Community: African Americans in Fort Lauderdale, highlights working-class history from the earliest migration of Bahamians and blacks from Georgia and South Carolina to find work as the area was settled in the late 1800s. Many of the black and white photographs are being exhibited for the first time at the historic New River Inn, and they will be on view for visitors until April 1.
Farmers, harvesters, packers, shippers, and stevedores all helped to lay the foundation for the internationally known cosmopolitan area that Fort Lauderdale has become. Roots are important - but so is growth.
Several miles from downtown, new projects are underway in the western city of Lauderhill and they promise to add a new page to the multicultural story. The West Indian cultures of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago already add spice to the diversity of the area. Soon we’ll have a Caribbean-themed shopping mall, and the Bobby Jones Gospel Complex for Education and Preservation, and both are certain to lure even more international visitors to the area.
In Greater Fort Lauderdale, history and progress capitalize on the county’s nationally-touted reputation as one of the most culturally diverse in the U.S. The area has the demographics of what the U.S. will look like within the next 20 years in terms of the mix of African Americans, whites, and Hispanics, and the Asian population is also growing. Seminole Indians maintain a prosperous reservation right in the heart of the county where visitors can patronize businesses and explore Native American culture without having to travel far.
We have much diversity to reflect upon - and celebrate - during Black History Month and the rest of the year as well.
- Kitty Oliver, Author/Oral Historian
RSSFeb 29: Fair Weather
Posted On: February 28, 2008 5:02 PM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
This weekend should be about perfect for the Las Olas Art Fair. Forecasters say the weather will bring us shirtsleeve temperatures during the daytime. Nice dry days, sunny and with low humidity. It’s hard to beat that. I’m expecting to hang out at the fair at some point with friends. If I find a piece of art I just can’t resist, well, then I won’t resist it. I bought a considerable number of amazing artworks on my recent overseas trip, including masks and headdresses made by native villagers. These works are already hanging on my walls as part of a collection that I’ve acquired during my travels.
But I also support local artists, many of whom aren’t really just local. I’m friends with one talented painter who lives in this area, for instance, a woman who always exhibits during these Las Olas weekends. She has lived and worked in places such as Prague and southern France and even was given a solo show in Monaco. I love this woman’s work so much that I once commissioned her to paint an elaborate mural on a wall of my home. It was beautiful. And when a few years ago during a divorce I had to let go of that home, her mural was a distinct selling point.
This weekend will feature a wide variety of paintings and sculptures, photography, ceramics, even jewelry. The artists and craftspeople will line the center of Las Olas Boulevard from SE 6th Avenue to SE 11th Avenue during this second art fair of the season. With hours from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the festival is expected to draw thousands of folks to Fort Lauderdale’s top shopping street. There’s no charge so it’s a great chance to do something inexpensive with the whole family or lots of friends. It’s also a great chance to pick up some wonderful artwork for your own walls, whether you’re just visiting or live here. I have in mind exactly the kind of piece I’m looking for and though, heaven knows, I don’t need to spend any more money following my trip – hey, if the art is too good to pass up, what can I do? That’s why they make credit cards, right? Some things in life really are worth going into debt for. If a work of art isn’t one of those things, I don’t know what is.
But I also support local artists, many of whom aren’t really just local. I’m friends with one talented painter who lives in this area, for instance, a woman who always exhibits during these Las Olas weekends. She has lived and worked in places such as Prague and southern France and even was given a solo show in Monaco. I love this woman’s work so much that I once commissioned her to paint an elaborate mural on a wall of my home. It was beautiful. And when a few years ago during a divorce I had to let go of that home, her mural was a distinct selling point.
This weekend will feature a wide variety of paintings and sculptures, photography, ceramics, even jewelry. The artists and craftspeople will line the center of Las Olas Boulevard from SE 6th Avenue to SE 11th Avenue during this second art fair of the season. With hours from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the festival is expected to draw thousands of folks to Fort Lauderdale’s top shopping street. There’s no charge so it’s a great chance to do something inexpensive with the whole family or lots of friends. It’s also a great chance to pick up some wonderful artwork for your own walls, whether you’re just visiting or live here. I have in mind exactly the kind of piece I’m looking for and though, heaven knows, I don’t need to spend any more money following my trip – hey, if the art is too good to pass up, what can I do? That’s why they make credit cards, right? Some things in life really are worth going into debt for. If a work of art isn’t one of those things, I don’t know what is.
Feb 26: With New Eyes
Posted On: February 26, 2008 2:50 PM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Every time I return to South Florida from a long trip, I look at it with new eyes. That happened to me again on Friday. You see, I’ve been out of the country for nearly a month. (The previous several blogs were written before I left.) I visited some truly amazing places as part of my travel writing assignment. My journey began in Sydney, Australia, where my hotel suite looked out on the famous opera house and bridge. From there, I went to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and then was lucky enough to spend time with a native clan in Papua New Guinea, folks who sleep in bamboo shelters and shoot huge bats with slingshots for food. Then it was on to Indonesia and the Philippines and finally to Hong Kong, where my luxury hotel room overlooked glittering Victoria Harbour. Like I said, an awesome trip by anyone’s standards.
I even was given a limo ride back to my condo after my plane landed in Miami very early Friday morning. As the car rolled north on I-95, I saw South Florida differently than when I’d left – as if I were a visitor. It’s an odd sensation but one that I’ve experienced before. It always surprises me somehow. When any of us have been gone from home that long, we tend to lose the haze of familiarity that clouds the view of our daily surroundings. We really do look through new eyes.
And what I saw around me now was a very clean, very beautiful place. The highway was litter free. The businesses and homes along the side of the road looked tidy and new. Things appeared prosperous. The palm trees and other tropical vegetation seemed as exotic as anything on my trip, but well-tended and thoughtfully landscaped. Even at 1 a.m., South Florida felt sparkling to me in some way. I looked out the car windows and thought, “This really is a special part of the world. I can see why people come from all over to visit here.” Or to live. It is a wonderfully inviting, very American version of the tropics, full of great beaches and abundant sunshine and all the romance of moonlight streaming through coconut palms. But it also is fresh and comfortable and convenient and modern. As the limo neared my condo, I realized there really is no where else I’d rather come back to than Fort Lauderdale. No place like home, indeed.
I even was given a limo ride back to my condo after my plane landed in Miami very early Friday morning. As the car rolled north on I-95, I saw South Florida differently than when I’d left – as if I were a visitor. It’s an odd sensation but one that I’ve experienced before. It always surprises me somehow. When any of us have been gone from home that long, we tend to lose the haze of familiarity that clouds the view of our daily surroundings. We really do look through new eyes.
And what I saw around me now was a very clean, very beautiful place. The highway was litter free. The businesses and homes along the side of the road looked tidy and new. Things appeared prosperous. The palm trees and other tropical vegetation seemed as exotic as anything on my trip, but well-tended and thoughtfully landscaped. Even at 1 a.m., South Florida felt sparkling to me in some way. I looked out the car windows and thought, “This really is a special part of the world. I can see why people come from all over to visit here.” Or to live. It is a wonderfully inviting, very American version of the tropics, full of great beaches and abundant sunshine and all the romance of moonlight streaming through coconut palms. But it also is fresh and comfortable and convenient and modern. As the limo neared my condo, I realized there really is no where else I’d rather come back to than Fort Lauderdale. No place like home, indeed.
Feb 22: Hidden Homes
Posted On: February 22, 2008 11:38 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
I’ve always believed that the very best way to see some of the gorgeous homes in Fort Lauderdale is on the water. There are lots of inexpensive opportunities for doing this, including the Jungle Queen, water taxis and other vessels that will haul you from here to there along the canals and rivers. But there are so many lovely neighborhoods in this city that it seems a shame to view only the largest multi-million dollar mansions. There is another way to get around, though, checking out some of the hidden homes tucked into these residential pockets. Just get in your car.
When I was a kid, my parents sometimes would pack us into the car and drive around nice neighborhoods where they would make comments about this rose garden or that three-car garage or something. The kind of houses they looked at weren’t really my style. Still aren’t. These were the classic huge Midwestern houses of the 60s, big and boxy and without much character, at least to my eyes. Not so the old homes of Fort Lauderdale. Or even some of the new homes. Many of them have style, character and sometimes real beauty.
If I wanted to get a sense of the most interesting neighborhoods, I’d start with Victoria Park. From Federal Highway and Broward Boulevard, head east on Broward and keep going. This will bring you directly into Victoria Park, with all the quaint, upscale houses spread around a very expensive part of town. Then I’d probably drive east on Las Olas until I came to the finger isles. This is a series of peninsulas that spread into the water like fingers. With a lot of beautiful homes sitting on them. Take your time to cruise up and down these streets, then cross Las Olas and cruise some more in the wealthy residential neighborhoods on that opposite side. After this, Sailboat Bend is always fun. Just take Broward Boulevard again, heading west this time to about SW 11th Avenue and then turn south. This historic community is a funky mix, something very different from the places you’ve just been. There are old homes and new homes here, pricey homes and rundown homes pretty much side by side. It’s a small, interesting piece of Fort Lauderdale. But well worth exploring by automobile. Even if you have to drag the kids along for the ride.
When I was a kid, my parents sometimes would pack us into the car and drive around nice neighborhoods where they would make comments about this rose garden or that three-car garage or something. The kind of houses they looked at weren’t really my style. Still aren’t. These were the classic huge Midwestern houses of the 60s, big and boxy and without much character, at least to my eyes. Not so the old homes of Fort Lauderdale. Or even some of the new homes. Many of them have style, character and sometimes real beauty.
If I wanted to get a sense of the most interesting neighborhoods, I’d start with Victoria Park. From Federal Highway and Broward Boulevard, head east on Broward and keep going. This will bring you directly into Victoria Park, with all the quaint, upscale houses spread around a very expensive part of town. Then I’d probably drive east on Las Olas until I came to the finger isles. This is a series of peninsulas that spread into the water like fingers. With a lot of beautiful homes sitting on them. Take your time to cruise up and down these streets, then cross Las Olas and cruise some more in the wealthy residential neighborhoods on that opposite side. After this, Sailboat Bend is always fun. Just take Broward Boulevard again, heading west this time to about SW 11th Avenue and then turn south. This historic community is a funky mix, something very different from the places you’ve just been. There are old homes and new homes here, pricey homes and rundown homes pretty much side by side. It’s a small, interesting piece of Fort Lauderdale. But well worth exploring by automobile. Even if you have to drag the kids along for the ride.
Feb 19: Nature's Beach
Posted On: February 19, 2008 9:39 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale’s beach is sexy and world famous. Hollywood’s beach is wide and funky, with the Broadwalk businesses practically sitting on the sand. Every beach area in Broward County is different somehow, all the way from Deerfield down through Hallandale. But I believe there is one strip of sand that comes closer than the others to a more natural habitat. It looks and feels more like old Florida in some ways. And it’s worth a visit if you’re looking for a beach experience without the glitz and glam of Fort Lauderdale, without all the busy buzz of Hollywood. I’m talking about Dania Beach. For nature lovers, or for those who want a quiet oceanside outing, the beach in Dania may be what you’re looking for.
I just was there yesterday as I write this and found it a pleasant change. There’s not a whole lot at Dania’s seaside except sand, ocean and sea oats. But that’s its charm. You’ll find an old outdoor bar and grill where you can grab a beer. You also can eat lunch or dinner at a nice restaurant on the pier overlooking the water. Or you can pay a whole dollar and walk out on that pier to see what you can see.
Just to the north of the pier is the beach at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, a pretty stretch that is a legally protected environment for sea turtles and many other creatures. Feel free to walk along the park beach. South of the pier, Dania’s beach rolls out in front of you. I’ve been there in the morning, relatively early when hardly anyone was around. Basically just me and the waves, with a couple of other folks wandering through now and then. I thought that was delightful. The area isn’t quite pristine, of course. But in Dania Beach, the sand and surf seem more like what they really are – part of nature. Glitz and glam at the beach are great. But once in a while, simple and natural also can be nice.
I just was there yesterday as I write this and found it a pleasant change. There’s not a whole lot at Dania’s seaside except sand, ocean and sea oats. But that’s its charm. You’ll find an old outdoor bar and grill where you can grab a beer. You also can eat lunch or dinner at a nice restaurant on the pier overlooking the water. Or you can pay a whole dollar and walk out on that pier to see what you can see.
Just to the north of the pier is the beach at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, a pretty stretch that is a legally protected environment for sea turtles and many other creatures. Feel free to walk along the park beach. South of the pier, Dania’s beach rolls out in front of you. I’ve been there in the morning, relatively early when hardly anyone was around. Basically just me and the waves, with a couple of other folks wandering through now and then. I thought that was delightful. The area isn’t quite pristine, of course. But in Dania Beach, the sand and surf seem more like what they really are – part of nature. Glitz and glam at the beach are great. But once in a while, simple and natural also can be nice.
Feb 15: Photo Ops: Part Three
Posted On: February 16, 2008 11:53 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
I’ve written before about places in Fort Lauderdale that are hidden in plain sight. Beautiful art works or graceful structures that most of us pass by without really stopping to notice them. But at least one of these places is more than just lovely to look at. It also offers a spectacular vantage point for photo taking. So in this third part of an occasional series on unusual photo oppportunities around greater Fort Lauderdale, I want to suggest that you walk over the 17th Street bridge. This towering, graceful span serves as a link between Federal Highway and A1A, an impressive bridge to just drive over. But if you’re a shutterbug looking for something a bit different to show the folks at home, you can’t go wrong with a stop here.
Depending on how serious you are about your photographs, you may want to bring a telephoto or zoom lens of some type to get tighter shots of the ships, boats and port. It’s a panoramic view from this spot, for sure. Looking out toward the north, you see the glistening Intracoastal Waterway and downtown Fort Lauderdale. You’ll notice massive waterfront mansions, huge yachts, sailboats, water taxis and just about any other kind of watercraft. I once saw a guy on a surfboard in this stretch of the Intracoastal.
Looking south, the second largest cruise port in the world is laid out in front of you. In this busiest part of the season, cruise ships come and go all the time. On some days, especially weekends, you often can spot five, six, even seven enormous cruise ships all docked in Port Everglades at the same moment. That’s something you won’t see very often anywhere in the world. A good photographer standing on the 17th Street bridge, armed with a quality camera, should be able to focus on any number of splendid photo ops. There are sidewalks with railings on both sides of the bridge, so it’s safe to hoof it uphill to snag your photos. Just park your car in one of the lots at either end of the bridge and start walking. The view is gorgeous, whatever the time of day or night. And if you know how to use that camera, the photos should be too.
Depending on how serious you are about your photographs, you may want to bring a telephoto or zoom lens of some type to get tighter shots of the ships, boats and port. It’s a panoramic view from this spot, for sure. Looking out toward the north, you see the glistening Intracoastal Waterway and downtown Fort Lauderdale. You’ll notice massive waterfront mansions, huge yachts, sailboats, water taxis and just about any other kind of watercraft. I once saw a guy on a surfboard in this stretch of the Intracoastal.
Looking south, the second largest cruise port in the world is laid out in front of you. In this busiest part of the season, cruise ships come and go all the time. On some days, especially weekends, you often can spot five, six, even seven enormous cruise ships all docked in Port Everglades at the same moment. That’s something you won’t see very often anywhere in the world. A good photographer standing on the 17th Street bridge, armed with a quality camera, should be able to focus on any number of splendid photo ops. There are sidewalks with railings on both sides of the bridge, so it’s safe to hoof it uphill to snag your photos. Just park your car in one of the lots at either end of the bridge and start walking. The view is gorgeous, whatever the time of day or night. And if you know how to use that camera, the photos should be too.
Feb 12: Butterflies and Valentines
Posted On: February 12, 2008 9:04 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
It is just you and that romantic person in your life, the girlfriend or boyfriend or spouse or significant other. And it is Valentine’s Day. So you walk holding hands as you step inside another place, very different from the South Florida you just left behind. It almost feels otherworldly as the two of you are surrounded by some of the most delicate and beautiful creatures on earth. Butterflies. They are everywhere you look now, gently flitting about like leaves riding the breeze. They land on your hand, trusting you as a safe spot to rest. Their colors are brilliant and iridescent and intense. Then maybe these lovely little beings begin to hover and float around the head of your partner and around your head too. And for just a moment, the gentle butterflies appear almost like angels to you.
Could anything feel more romantic on Valentine’s Day? Maybe. But you’d have to work at it to beat this date, I think. Of course, I’m talking about Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, just off Sample Road. I’ve always thought this place is a don’t-miss for tourists and locals alike. But on Valentine’s Day – well, to me it seems more like a can’t-miss. Meaning, can’t miss as a memorable spot for that girlfriend or boyfriend or spouse or significant other. Butterfly World should add a genuine touch of romance to your special day together.
This attraction offers much more than just butterflies. I’d encourage you to check out the lorikeets and the hummingbirds, where you get very up close and personal with these beautiful birds. There are charming outdoor areas too, small green spaces to sit and eat and relax and smooch a little maybe. Hey, it’s Valentine’s Day. Who could blame you? But for me anyway, the large enclosed place for butterflies is the most appealing part of any visit to Butterfly World. It is a jungly environment, complete with small pools and watery mists and rocks. As you wander through, look carefully. You’ll notice incredible butterflies and moths of all descriptions sitting on the plants and on the ground. The others float and flit and hover all around you, much as I described above. Of course, these gorgeous creatures really are not angels as far as I know. They just can look that way.
Could anything feel more romantic on Valentine’s Day? Maybe. But you’d have to work at it to beat this date, I think. Of course, I’m talking about Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, just off Sample Road. I’ve always thought this place is a don’t-miss for tourists and locals alike. But on Valentine’s Day – well, to me it seems more like a can’t-miss. Meaning, can’t miss as a memorable spot for that girlfriend or boyfriend or spouse or significant other. Butterfly World should add a genuine touch of romance to your special day together.
This attraction offers much more than just butterflies. I’d encourage you to check out the lorikeets and the hummingbirds, where you get very up close and personal with these beautiful birds. There are charming outdoor areas too, small green spaces to sit and eat and relax and smooch a little maybe. Hey, it’s Valentine’s Day. Who could blame you? But for me anyway, the large enclosed place for butterflies is the most appealing part of any visit to Butterfly World. It is a jungly environment, complete with small pools and watery mists and rocks. As you wander through, look carefully. You’ll notice incredible butterflies and moths of all descriptions sitting on the plants and on the ground. The others float and flit and hover all around you, much as I described above. Of course, these gorgeous creatures really are not angels as far as I know. They just can look that way.
Feb 8: Clearing My Head
Posted On: February 7, 2008 4:53 PM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
I think too much. I’m the first to admit it. Maybe you do too sometimes. I go through periods when I just can’t stop thinking. Since I’m a professional writer, I get to reflect about things like the meaning of life and whether we have free will and what shop sells the best ice cream. Important things. Deep things. In this blog and elsewhere, I write about all kinds of stuff. But there comes a moment when enough is enough, even for me. I really have to stop thinking for a while and find some way to clear my head. I’m telling you all of this because I’ve found a good system. And if you’re visiting our sunny area or if you live here, perhaps the same system also might work to clear your head a bit.
I go driving. Especially in the evening. I’m lucky enough to have a new convertible, a nice PT Cruiser with Sirius satellite radio. The convertible helps in this unwinding process, I suspect, but it isn’t essential. Hey, anyone can roll down the windows and feel the wind in their hair. So I lower the convertible top, turn on the tunes and head out on the highway. My car may not be a motorcycle and I probably wasn’t born to be wild. I may not even be looking for adventure. I’m not sure. But, wow, it really feels good.
My usual route takes me around Fort Lauderdale first, often north on 17th Street. I go motoring over the tall bridge, my hair getting wind-whipped and tangled. I think there’s usually a smile on my face. My whims determine where I go next. I may keep heading north on A1A, into Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and beyond, maybe all the way to Pompano Beach. Or I may head west on Las Olas and swing through downtown. Eventually, I circle around and make my way back to Dania Beach, where I live. But the brief ride does me a world of good for some reason. Behind the wheel of my sporty convertible, I feel free. I begin to relax. And yes, I actually stop thinking. It is a tonic and I recommend it to you excessive thinkers out there. You know who you are.
I go driving. Especially in the evening. I’m lucky enough to have a new convertible, a nice PT Cruiser with Sirius satellite radio. The convertible helps in this unwinding process, I suspect, but it isn’t essential. Hey, anyone can roll down the windows and feel the wind in their hair. So I lower the convertible top, turn on the tunes and head out on the highway. My car may not be a motorcycle and I probably wasn’t born to be wild. I may not even be looking for adventure. I’m not sure. But, wow, it really feels good.
My usual route takes me around Fort Lauderdale first, often north on 17th Street. I go motoring over the tall bridge, my hair getting wind-whipped and tangled. I think there’s usually a smile on my face. My whims determine where I go next. I may keep heading north on A1A, into Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and beyond, maybe all the way to Pompano Beach. Or I may head west on Las Olas and swing through downtown. Eventually, I circle around and make my way back to Dania Beach, where I live. But the brief ride does me a world of good for some reason. Behind the wheel of my sporty convertible, I feel free. I begin to relax. And yes, I actually stop thinking. It is a tonic and I recommend it to you excessive thinkers out there. You know who you are.
Feb 5: Glory Days on Tour
Posted On: February 5, 2008 9:40 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
I was born in the Motor City. I’m proud of that. I know that people love to put down Detroit, but I believe that great city will come back in a big way. It’s already had many glory days. Detroit gave us Motown, with singers such as the Supremes and the Temptations and Aretha Franklin cranking out the endless hits. Detroit also helped the good guys win World War Two, when the city was called “the arsenal of democracy” because of its massive production of weapons. But Detroit is best known for one thing, of course. Cars. Lots and lots of cars. Obviously, today’s automotive manufacturing has gone global. But Detroit remains the Motor City. And a small slice of it is in Fort Lauderdale now.
The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale has opened a new exhibit that will continue through June 23. It’s called, “The Great Age of Automobiles.” Native Detroiter that I am, this show seems to me a very unusual and very cool exploration of the car as a work of art. It focuses on the post-WWII period in Detroit, the time when automobile design was at its hip, creative best. Our current era’s cars and vans and SUVs and trucks, all the square clunky vehicles clogging our roads now, can seem sadly lackluster in comparison.
The museum walls will be filled with 100 renderings of remarkable auto designs of the past. These include some that actually went into production, as well as exotic concept cars and advertising art. What’s especially interesting about this show, I think, is its display of real vintage automobiles among the drawings and paintings. The hottest new concept cars from Detroit will round out the exhibit. See? I told you this was cool. Something for art lovers. Something for gearheads. I really hope to catch this exhibition for sure. Whether or not you believe cars and paintings of cars are true artworks, I think you’ll probably have to concede this much – the automobiles back then were a whole lot closer to art than anything rolling down I-95 today.
The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale has opened a new exhibit that will continue through June 23. It’s called, “The Great Age of Automobiles.” Native Detroiter that I am, this show seems to me a very unusual and very cool exploration of the car as a work of art. It focuses on the post-WWII period in Detroit, the time when automobile design was at its hip, creative best. Our current era’s cars and vans and SUVs and trucks, all the square clunky vehicles clogging our roads now, can seem sadly lackluster in comparison.
The museum walls will be filled with 100 renderings of remarkable auto designs of the past. These include some that actually went into production, as well as exotic concept cars and advertising art. What’s especially interesting about this show, I think, is its display of real vintage automobiles among the drawings and paintings. The hottest new concept cars from Detroit will round out the exhibit. See? I told you this was cool. Something for art lovers. Something for gearheads. I really hope to catch this exhibition for sure. Whether or not you believe cars and paintings of cars are true artworks, I think you’ll probably have to concede this much – the automobiles back then were a whole lot closer to art than anything rolling down I-95 today.
