This is the second part of a report on the Paolo Soleri Amphitheater in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Paolo Soleri and apprentices view a model for the Santa Fe theater on display in the North Apse at Cosanti in 1964.
[Photo: Colly Soleri & text: Jacob Schwartz, sa]
At all stages of Soleri’s design, the amphitheater complex dwarfs it’s users. There is a bridge spanning the monumental, but not massive structure. The amphitheater occupies a small site and seats a humble number in the audience. The stage, originally framed by an apse, was given new definition when its shelter was turned upside-down, a dramatic gesture to the sky.
Soleri was influenced by Elizabethan actor-theater interactions and in an interview for New Mexico magazine in 1993, Soleri said that he hoped “actors would use not only the stage, but the area above it as well as the bridge and the other platforms that were designed into the structure."
[Photo: Annette Del Zoppo & text: Jacob Schwartz, sa]
Construction of the amphitheater occurred as a progression of earth shifting, and was instructed by Soleri. Students at the IAIA helped in the construction alongside apprentices from the Cosanti Foundation. First, the bowl-shaped roof form was carved into the earth and deep wells were dug for the supporting columns.
Story continues on 1/7/09.
[Photo: Colly Soleri & text: Jacob Schwartz, sa]
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Posted by sue on January 5, 2009 4:43:11 PM MST
Italian architecture student Raffaele Elba worked in the Soleri Archives during his scholarship and workshop in the summer and fall of 2008. During this time he visited the Soleri Amphitheater in Santa Fe, New Mexico and brought back recent photos.
[Photo: Raffaele Elba & text: Jacob Schwartz, sa]
In 1965 the IAIA (INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS) approached Paolo Soleri to design an out-door amphitheater at its campus in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The amphitheater would house a growing tradition of American Indian performance arts, and Soleri later said that the open-air theater would “frame the moon and sun”.
Soleri’s design called for a dramatically upwardly-shaped, earth cast concrete structure to cover the performance area.
[Photo: Raffaele Elba & text: Jacob Schwartz, sa]
The magic of performance beckons attendees to a semi-circular seating space which surrounds the open-air stage.
The Paolo Soleri Amphitheater has been used for events ranging from internationally publicized rock concerts to IAIA graduation ceremonies. The amphitheater is the permanent venue of the annual Native Roots and Rhythms Festival.
We continue this report on 1/5/09 with more of Raffaeles photos and images of the actual construction.
Best Wishes for the New Year!
[Photo: Raffaele Elba & text: Jacob Schwartz, sa]
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Posted by sue on January 2, 2009 11:55:14 AM MST
Happy New Year To All. This is a 1972 aerial view of the Arcosanti site with the completed South Vault, and to the West are visible scaffolding for the shell of the Ceramics Apse and the footing for the Foundry Apse.
[Photo: Ivan Pintar & text: dkt]
Great efforts from more than 6000 volunteers have made possible Arcosanti's construction and development throughout the years. Today in 2008, Arcosanti is a home for more than 60 people, a venue for musical and theatrical performances, a favorite tourist destination, and above all - an inspiring urban laboratory.
[Photo: Brendan Scott & text: dkt]
This picture was taken by local journalist Bruce Colbert.
Once again,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Photo: Bruce Colbert & text: dkt]
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Posted by sue on December 31, 2008 12:22:30 PM MST