I wrote, a while ago, about all the babble that goes through my brain when a camera is pointed in my direction. I am not, within, what I am without. Do any of us achieve that perfect correspondence?
But for the recent
Pennsylvania Gazette story about the life I've lived through books, I was invited to a enter the cinematic world of
Chris Crisman, another Penn grad who has made it his business to appease and to ease and (somehow in the midst of it all) to make art. You would never know it, by looking at this shot, but the lens was so close to my face when this picture was made that I suspected Chris of doing a study on the tangle of my eyelashes. (
Lancome, next time, I was thinking to myself. And also:
I wish I'd gone to bed last night.)
Clearly, though, Chris knows what he is doing, and I share this outtake from the shoot today because Chris made Memorial Hall, a Centennial-era building, the true and deserving subject of his shot. It's a beautiful place, newly and justly restored, and can't you just picture it back in 1876—the crowds massing in the high heat of summer, eager for the art within?
Well, here is some fabulous news, just in, over the wire:
Dangerous Neighbors is an Indiebound Children's Pick for the Fall of 2010.
Is it possible to hug the independent booksellers of America over the internet? Picture me trying!
On May 10th, 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant stood near the front steps of Memorial Hall to formally open the Centennial Exhibition and invite the world to see how much America had grown since 1776. The Centennial Exhibition served not only as America’s 100th birthday party, but more importantly was the third World’s Fair to be held in the United States! Did you know that bananas, kindergarten and the telephone were first introduced to many Americans at the fair?
Opening day of the Centennial Exhibition, May 10, 1876
View from the steps of Memorial Hall, looking toward the Main Exhibition Building. The bleacher seating was for the VIPs—Centennial Commission members, U.S. and foreign political figures and special guests.
Image Courtesy, Robby Cohen Collection
In addition to introducing America as an industrialized nation, the Centennial Exhibition also introduced the world to numerous new and exciting discoveries and inventions. The Centennial closed on November 10, 1876, and in those short six months over 10 million people had come to Philadelphia to see and experience the excitement and grandeur of the Centennial Exhibition!
On Monday, we will be celebrating the 134th anniversary of opening day with special Centennial themed programming throughout the museum. The day’s programming is intended to highlight major themes of the Centennial Exhibition, while introducing our young audience to the concept of history through age appropriate, familiar, and fun activities.
Kids will be able to paint, explore transportation of the period, and play with reproduction Froebel blocks throughout the day in the Program Room. The Story Castle will feature carnival themed stories at 10:30 and 3:30. Visitors will get the opportunity to interact with collections objects during a stereograph themed KidGlove Program at 1:00 in the Centennial Train Station. In addition, there will be parades in the Centennial Train Station at 12:00 and 2:00.
And grown-ups, don’t worry we didn’t forget about you, we will be offering special $10 guided Centennial Tours at 2:00 Saturday, May 8th to Monday, May 10th.
I love that picture!
Gorgeous, Beth! Simply gorgeous.
You look lovely!!!!!
You look really beautiful. :)
Love the whole photo, too!
Beeee-uuuuuu-teeee-full!
LOVE it!!!
Such exuberance!
You should try to use that photo on the back of the paperback version of Dangerous Neighbors. It's perfect.
And you look beautiful, which is always a plus. I second the motion for this picture on Dangerous Neighbors--or any book, really, whether it's yours or not. ;)
Having just read the interview in The Pennsylvania Gazette, I went to your blog site and was rewarded a wonderful photo of you and your father, who was an usher at my wedding. Yes, this is Chuck Sweeley writing. Tell Kep to let me know how he is doing. I look forward to reading Dangerous Neighbors. See Proc. Japan Academy Series B, Vol 86, pp 822-836 (2010) for my memoirs in science.
My goodness! Thanks to all of you. I was really thinking more about the building, but it's great to hear your kindnesses on other (old) facades as well. :)
And Mr. S. — I will tell my dad. He will be delighted. Thank you for letting me know. Does he know how to reach you?
Stunning!