If you have any questions or comments regarding his work, send an email along to: keeatin77@gmail.com
The Chicago Cultural Center
Kevin Eatinger is an architectural, advertising and fine art photographer in Chicago.
Within the pages of this book are 46 original images showcasing the interior architecture of the of the Chicago Cultural Center. These image compositions concentrate on the patterns, textures and geometries in the architectural design. I decided to create an aesthetic in views gathering unique angles and exposing details and their relations. So the majority of my photography here is not simply the usual architectural explanation. Much of the digitally captured imagery here follow a path of creative license and interpretation. I hope the examples in this book serve to inspire other photographers, architects and artists to continually explore new reasons for beauty and vision.
Kevin Eatinger
Kevin Eatinger
The Chicago Cultural Center 0 Chicago’s Cultural Gem
Š2011 Kevin Eatinger All Rights Reserved All photography and imagery are property of Kevin Eatinger. The book author retains sole copyright to his contributions to this book. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author Kevin Eatinger. Book design by Kevin Eatinger. All photography and post-production by Kevin Eatinger. Email: keeatin77@gmail.com
If you have any questions or comments regarding his work, send an email along to: keeatin77@gmail.com
The Chicago Cultural Center
Kevin Eatinger is an architectural, advertising and fine art photographer in Chicago.
Within the pages of this book are 46 original images showcasing the interior architecture of the of the Chicago Cultural Center. These image compositions concentrate on the patterns, textures and geometries in the architectural design. I decided to create an aesthetic in views gathering unique angles and exposing details and their relations. So the majority of my photography here is not simply the usual architectural explanation. Much of the digitally captured imagery here follow a path of creative license and interpretation. I hope the examples in this book serve to inspire other photographers, architects and artists to continually explore new reasons for beauty and vision.
Kevin Eatinger
Kevin Eatinger
The Chicago Cultural Center, a quick history: In 1892, the Boston firm of Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge were contracted to design the Chicago Public Library and Civil War memorial library. The structure is a neo-classical building that shows classic Greek columns and Roman arches. Within five years time the “palace” called the Chicago Public Library was completed. In 1897 Chicagoans had a gorgeous, splendid and ornate building containing a library and Grand Army of the Republic War Memorial. Beautiful and unique, it showcases two huge stained-glass domes, white marble stairways and walls of colored glass mosaics. In the north side of the building the war memorial room was designed with the names of Civil War battles, coffered ceilings and a 40-footdiameter stained-glass dome. Healy & Millet were responsible for the creation of the stained glass design in this dome. The south end of the library is decorated in marble and the mosaic designs are by Robert C. Spencer, Jr. of Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge. The mosaics, along with a wonderful newly refurbished and cleaned 38 foot dome in the south side of the library, were originally done by Tiffany Studios. The Preston Bradley Hall dome has now been returned to it’s original source of illumination... the sun. This dome is made of Tiffany Favrile glass. Centered at the top of this dome are the zodiac signs. The chandeliers and lighting fixtures in the Preston Bradley Hall were all made by Tiffany, most appropriately! In 1972 the Chicago Public Library was faced with the spector of demolition. The First Lady of Chicago, Mayor Richard J. Daley’s wife Eleanor Daley, was instrumental in this elegant building being saved from developers and a wrecking ball. Thankfully Eleanor Daley believed that saving this cultural, historic and architectural gem, was of paramount importance. She recognized beauty when she saw it. The Chicago architectural firm of Holabird and Root began renovation and by 1977 the building began a new life as the Chicago Public Library Cultural Center. I wish to express my thanks to Mrs. Eleanor Daley for her efforts in saving this spectacular building for all future generations. I am one of those generations that today can appreciate this “People’s Palace”.
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The Chicago Cultural Center Personally, I first “discovered” the Chicago Cultural Center in 1981. I had just started working a job downtown at Ruben H. Donnelley. At lunch time I would occasionally wander around downtown looking at all the architecture mainly from the street. One day I decided to have a look in the old Chicago Public Library building. I had heard from a friend that there were rooms in the building available where you could practice on pianos. I entered on the Randolph street side. Walking inside I found the staircase that lead to the G.A.R. Hall. “What a cool stairway” I thought. I loved the curves and thick marble. I was lead to the second floor. Upon entering the G.A.R. Memorial Hall rotunda I couldn’t believe how beautiful the space was. A tall stately room and dome situated far overhead was just amazing to stumble upon. Following the rotunda was the G.A.R. Memorial Hall, a voluminous space. I had not known about any of this before! I loved the architecture of Chicago already and to have not known about this treasure dumbfounded me. Where had I been before? I was 22 and still learning I guess. The really hilarious story is that it was another year or so before I wandered into the south portion of the building, the Preston Bradley Hall and the Washington street entrance! It would be years before I finally brought my camera into the Cultural Center and engaged in photographing the interior. In 2006 I began capturing images of the interior in this gorgeous edifice. Over the course of 5 years I would periodically visit the Chicago Cultural Center with my camera. Each time I would return with a few decent shots and a head full of ideas for other shots. The building is so utterly gorgeous! The architectural design is superb for composing interesting, colorful and unique angles. Richly textured, luminous, curvilinear, prismatic, contrasting, geometric and all designed in magnificent dimension. I love marble’s subtle depth of color and the veins that run deep into the mineral. The patterns of the reflective glasswork and glimmering mosaics are practically hypnotizing. Colorful textures within the aged bronze patina and metalwork contrast with dark varnished woodwork. All of this lit by the spectrum of ambient electrified and filtered natural light sources. Spiritual. If you do get a chance to visit this building, it is well worth the trip and time.
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If you have any questions or comments regarding his work, send an email along to: keeatin77@gmail.com
The Chicago Cultural Center
Kevin Eatinger is an architectural, advertising and fine art photographer in Chicago.
Within the pages of this book are 46 original images showcasing the interior architecture of the of the Chicago Cultural Center. These image compositions concentrate on the patterns, textures and geometries in the architectural design. I decided to create an aesthetic in views gathering unique angles and exposing details and their relations. So the majority of my photography here is not simply the usual architectural explanation. Much of the digitally captured imagery here follow a path of creative license and interpretation. I hope the examples in this book serve to inspire other photographers, architects and artists to continually explore new reasons for beauty and vision.
Kevin Eatinger
Kevin Eatinger