Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Roche, Eero Saarinen, Philip Johnson, Charlie Azzue, Robert A.M. Stern... Hang on a sec. Charlie Azzue? Charlie?! Of course, I am talking about Charlie Azzue, Staten Island's great modernist architect and sculptor.
Charlie designed more than 50 buildings and houses on the island in the 1970s and 80s, including the magnificent Physicians and Surgeons Building (above) across from Clove Lakes Park. Those are some of Charlie's sculptures on the lawn. He also did the Legal Arts Building below. You're probably thinking Charlie was working tabula rasa, but no, the LAB was actually a redesign of an existing building seen below below. What a dump!
Dig that right justified text!
Love the bug!
In recent years, Charlie has focused on his sculpture, which is cool. And Charlie himself is definitely cool. On his web site, he recalls hanging out with Janis Joplin and the Band. Close your eyes and try to imagine Philip Johnson getting high with Rick Danko and Janis (seen below in Festival Express). Savor that image.
Whoever you are, I love you!!!! Charlie Azzue
ReplyDeletecharlie@azzue.com