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Parkour and Mid-Century Modern Preservation Poetry

I went to a fantastic lecture tonight by Jorge L. Hernandez, Cuban-born American architect and professor of architecture at University of Miami.  It was a broad-ranging talk about the Miami Marine Stadium by Hilario Candela.  The stadium is a gorgeous piece of MCM concrete boldness.

The talk covered the story of Candela getting the commission as a 26-year old Cuban working in an American firm, the history of the City of Miami's attempts to demolish it, its significance within the lineage of concrete language back to Auguste Perret,  the National Trust application criteria, famous events that happened at the Stadium (Jimmy Buffet filmed a big concert there), the relationship to other concrete work and architects in Cuba, and the general technical sexiness of the concrete hyperbolic parabolas. It was a passionate and scholarly talk all at once.

At the end he played this video, showing the graffiti-covered structure in its current state.  It's a beautiful if offbeat tribute to a beautiful building.  It's well worth six minutes to watch it.

Friends of Miami Marine Stadium

 
Video of Parkour in Miami Marine Stadium by Parkour Playhouse, World Freerunning Parkour Federation

Jun 6, 13 10:33 pm

love the opera? and what a great view from there of the Miami skyline...

Jun 10, 13 10:57 pm  · 
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