Organized Chaos, a photo from Massachusetts, Northeast

Photographer's Note

Organized Chaos

Ray and Maria Stata Center - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA

On our second visit to Boston we started with a walk through the extensive grounds of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge.
The MIT is one of the most prestigious technical universities in the world. Many of the buildings on the university grounds were designed by world-renowned architects.
One of the most striking buildings is the Ray and Maria Stata Center, in short Stata Center or building 32, opened on March 16, 2005. A design by none other than Frank Gehry

A building that you adore or hate.
I belong to the first category.

The building houses the laboratory for computer science and artificial intelligence, the laboratory for information and decision systems, as well as the department for language and philosophy.
The university wanted a design that would show what was done inside in an appealing way.
A very inspiring assignment for the architect who decided to use innovative building concepts and to give the enormous creative talent all the space they need.
The result was a complex of buildings consisting of different volumes (cubes, cones and towers) made of different materials (steel, aluminium and brick) and colours (silver, yellow, brown tones) that would fit seamlessly together. There are broken lines, intentionally asymmetrical shapes, as well as angular and geometric shapes that seem to defy gravity.

Many comments have been made about the organized chaos that the building exudes.
Frank O. Gehry himself said with a nod "It looks like a lot of drunk robots".
Another comment is "We've already had an earthquake in Stata Center, so we don't have to worry anymore."
Other comments refer to Disney cartoons because of the multiple shapes and colours of the building.

■ Picture 1: ◄ Disturbed Selflection ►

■ Picture 2: ◄ Organized Chaos ►

■ Picture 3: ◄ All kinds of shapes ►

The best way to view the pictures is to use the links above.

holmertz, Royaldevon, ikeharel, pajaran, Fis2, papagolf21, macjake, PaulVDV, adramad, worldcitizen has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (92724) 2019-09-11 3:13

Hello Rob,
Today's three photos are all totally fascinating. I would definitely count myself in the adoring category. It's no doubt impressive that buildings that have to meet the practical demands of so many different kinds have been "designed with a smile", as these photos indicate. The reflections seen here are wonderful, but the workshops show that this complex is much more than reflections.
But I wonder why you didn't finish the journey of 2018 before you set out on the 2019 journey? ;-)
Best regards,
Gert

Silvio1953 (205491) 2019-09-11 3:30

Ciao Rob, lovely composition with fantastic reflection, splendid light, wonderful colors, good clarity and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Royaldevon (75240) 2019-09-11 4:18

Hello Rob,

Not only have you given us excellent views of these eccentric buildings but there is a little of Rob in the main post, too.
I love these creative buildings, too.
No matter how they appear to individuals, they are very very different. The nearest comparison, to me, is the Popeye Village, though this is far superior.
Your photographs show excellent clarity as well as as the usual fine composition.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

pierrefonds (103384) 2019-09-11 4:49

Hi Rob,

I understand your title lookin at the three picture. The point of view is showing the details of the reflections on the glass tiles. The light is bringing out the colours. Have a nice day.

Pierre

pajaran (102460) 2019-09-11 5:31

Pozdrav.
Lepi refleksi i arhitektura.
Lepa zgrada.
Dobar rad sa fotografijama u radionici, lepo pokazano, dobro uhvacen trenutak, lepa igra boja i svetla.
Dobra ideja i realizacija lepim fotografijama.
Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greeting.
Nice reflexes and architecture.
Nice building.
Good work with photos in the workshop, beautifully demonstrated, well captured moment, nice play of colors and lights.
Good idea and realization with beautiful photos.
I wish you all the best.

Fis2 (155425) 2019-09-11 5:32

Witaj Rob!
Interesting architecture, curious fragment.
I like reflection and colors.
Good framing, sharpness and light.
I like WS too.
Nice afternoon.
Krzysztof

Tue (82104) 2019-09-11 5:53

Hallo Rob,
De spiegeling in de wand geeft nog eens extra chaos aan het gebouw. Het wordt nog meer vervormd, waardoor de combinatie met de zilveren wanden aan de linkerkant ervoor zorgt dat dat deel er opeens heel geordend uitziet. Die oranje kleuren worden mooi omringd door het wat zachtere blauw.
Lars

papagolf21 (152599) 2019-09-11 6:31

Bonjour, cher Rob,
Je reste admiratif devant votre enthousiasme � d嶰ouvrir des architectures qui sortent de l侊rdinaire. Il est vrai que les commentaires relatifs � ces b漮iments sont acides, pour ma part, j'ai toujours aim� le classique (彋ant ing幯ieur et architecte de formation traitant des b漮iments anciens et class廥), cela ne m'emp璚he de voir ce qui se fait en mati鋨e d'architecture.
Vos descriptions sont pertinentes et toujours appr嶰i嶪s.
Amiti廥.
Philippe

BennyV (32566) 2019-09-11 6:38

Speelse en arty foto. Heel kleurrijk ook.
Knap gespot & knap gemaakt, Rob.

Benny

macjake (96151) 2019-09-11 7:51

Hi Rob
why have we not seen this more often on TE, what a great subject. The WS's really show us and are worthy of main posts themselves. Even in this main post, looking at the small section of the Gehry building, I KNEW it was a classic Gehry construction :) Although I would have chosen on of the WS as the main post, I can see why you liked this one. Why not right? just go for it. fun reflections and distortions. cheers
Craig

jean113 (21941) 2019-09-11 10:20

Hello Rob, we admire classical buildings such as chateaus, castles etc., that usually display symmetrical lines, we can also admire the work of Gehry with his quirky ideas, asymmetrical shapes and gravity defying creations as you mention in your notes.
I love his designs, and the variety of materials are wonderful.
Here it is the depth of colour that really works for me, beautiful.
All three shots are excellent.
Kind regards
Jean

lousat (129831) 2019-09-11 13:02

Waaw Rob,what a post!!! This is a new lovely paradise for the photographers,but it needs your class to do perspectives like these full of geometric effects and bright reflections,today 2 points are enough,the post of the day on TE,no doubts! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

Gerrit (59968) 2019-09-11 13:40

Dag Rob,
Mooie kleuren hebben de weerspiegelingen in dit opvallende, ronde en markante gebouw,
Groet, Gerrit

Nicou (193806) 2019-09-11 19:30

Hello

Quel ensemble tout en modernit� que de mat廨iaux moderne ce vitrages avec deux tons et ces reflets e brun ce bleu ces d嶨ormations en fond cet autre 嶮ifices avec ces balcons carr廥 qui ressortent quel effet de r趒lexion et jeu de couleur superbe
Bravo et amiti�
Nciou

rychem (72179) 2019-09-11 21:26

Three fantastic photos, I don't know which one I like the most, simly an amazing series
regards Ryszard

emka (152060) 2019-09-12 0:01

Hello Rob, I think that I have seen already these Gehry masterpieces in MIT, maybe it was you ar Lars. I can't understand how I could miss it at MIT. wrrrr. I am interested in University campuses, and of course, being in boston I visited both MIT and Harvard. These are one of the best in the world. Fantastic compositions.

Kind regards Malgo

Quantum_light (118) 2019-09-12 3:30

Hello Rob,
Marvelous series of architectural shots, all of them beautifully composed. Love the reflections. As a big fan of Frank Gehry I cannot but admire his masterpieces and with your photographs you have done justice to their spectacular beauty.
Greetings,
Iulia

abmdsudi (88423) 2019-09-12 4:52

Hi Rob
Making my eyes go funny! shows unusual view of the architecture which also reminds me of jigsaw puzzles. This is particularly clear and colourfully crisp and funky while the bg creates depth leading the eye throughout. A well spotted in the first instance, Congrats
Best regards

ChrisJ (159862) 2019-09-12 6:31

Hello Rob,

A fantastic distorted reflection, with superb sharpness and excellent warm cold color contrasts between the rust red tones and the blue sky. The workshops are equally interesting. Tfs!

Ilonka1974 (9301) 2019-09-12 12:55

Hi Rob,
Interesting! No doubt. Very nice effect. I like it. Nice job.
Best regards
Janusz

PaulVDV (54735) 2019-09-13 1:33

Hallo Rob,
Ik herinner me sommige beelden van deze chaos van de foto's van Lars reeds een hele tijd geleden.
Het lijkt effectief een ware chaos maar de architect en ingenieur zullen dit ongetwijfeld heel beredeneerd en uitgekiend ontworpen hebben.
Echt wel heel speciaal!
Prachtig gepresenteerd met de mooie kleuren die op een zonnige zomerdag heel goed tot uiting komen.
Vele groeten, Paul

adramad (66904) 2019-09-13 10:39

Hi Rob.
A view of great originality when contemplating both this photo and those of the WS. with all of them you make yourself a good ideal of that creative originality of the architect, it is a strange but very beautiful set. Great reproduction of yours to understand.
A fantastic photos, with beautiful natural colors, very good lighting and excellent sharpness.
Well done I love.
Enjoy the weekend.
Very best regards.
Luis.

mkamionka (61018) 2019-09-14 2:08

Hi Rob,
very eye catching disorientating and so colorful composition.
The reflecting surface in the foreground is so originally irregular. The windows behind do resemble the dancing house in Prague by Gehry indeed.
I love his creations they are extraordinary.
Very well seen and captured,
M

worldcitizen (14264) 2019-09-15 11:15

Hello Rob,
I love Gehry's creations, and this bit of organized chaos is no exception. I like it when form and art combine to create something unique, and this giant reflective surface is great. It can provide endless alternative views and compositions. I like the one you chose for this photo.

maloutim (13617) 2019-10-23 0:34

Hi Rob,
3 magnificent pictures which show how MIT is such a hub of original creation ! Just living there must set the students'minds into motion.
Have a good day !
Marie-Louise.