Vegas Baby...There and Back

The Cleveland Clinic Ruvo Center For Brain Health

I'm just back from a rather last minute trip to Vegas, teaching my Crowned Gems class at Art & Soul and wow...what a great time!  It was my first time in Vegas and wow...what a city!

When I first spotted this structure, my first thought was that it was under demolition.  We had to cruise over for a closer look.

Turns out, it's a clinic...for brain health...under construction, near an area of Las Vegas called Union Park.  My second thought was "funny!  Someone's idea of a joke!"  It's ironic...no?  Still funny!  It looks chaotic to me...why not design a brain clinic with an orderly, soothing aesthetic rather than a faux demolition?  It's actually supposed to represent the folds of the brain.

 

But still...it really appeals to my artistic sensibilities.  And really, it's so "Vegas."  Nothing in Vegas is real...not even the grass.

 

Amongst the lights, casinos and extravagant excess...we had a fantastic class.  Thank you, ladies, each one, for making my time teaching so easy and enjoyable!

I've got tons more photos of my Vegas trip that I'm hoping to share (we had such wonderful adventures) but, right now, I'm madly getting ready to teach at Adorn Me, here in Houston.  I still have spaces in my classes...take a look here, to see.  Oh, and you might want to check the weather when you come....yesterday, it snowed...in Houston...in the middle of February...for the second time this year!  Does anyone find that odd but me?!

Comments

[Linda Byrd]

Our weather in southeast Texas has been so strange this year, and will Spring ever arrive?? I wish I could take your classes at Adorn Me, but my first grandchild is due very soon. I hope Adorn Me will be so successful that it will be an annual event.

[Lori Anderson]

That building is phenomenal! The book I'm reading goes into a lot of cathedral architectural explanations, so I can't even imagine the talent it took to create that structure!

I wish I could take one of your classes -- one day!

[martha brown]

I find that building super stressful! It's very cool -- but not what I would expect for a brain clinic...... Have fun at Adorn me... wish that I could have come :(

[Christine Damm]

Thanks for those great, unconventional Vegas pics, Deryn! I love that building-- very reminiscent of the Gaudi structures in Barcelona, without the mosaics. I would be very interested to see how the spaces inside were affected or was there just a lot of empty space covered up to make normal rooms. Did you get to go into the structure?

[Kris]

What an interesting building! I bet that was a sight to see. Kind of like the Wonderworks building in Orlando that is a huge building upside down. SO unique.

Love your creations shown here. Was that what you taught in your class?

[jeff hal]

So as artistic people, why would one criticize thinking out of the usual "box " as a waste? If one follows that logic, then what's the point of art or adornment? While I am all for using "green materials" and practicing conservation of natural resources, why shouldn't we question aesthetics ... after all isn't that the whole point of creativity?

Love your blog Deryn!

[Pattie]

Glad to see you are home safely!!!

Well I suppose snow twice in Huston is no more odd then pouring rain for hours at a time 6 or 7 times so far since the DRY season started. The old timers can't remember the last time it has done this!!! I think this has been one very strange winter for the northern hemisphere!!

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

[Seth]

That building is so cool!

[diane cook]

Odd building indeed.....very unique.
Yes, I know Vegas is about as far out as you can get! Way out!!

[Cindy]

Glad to hear you had a great time in Vegas. I haven't been there since I was a kid...I can't imagine much it must have changed by then. Just look at those lucky students creating away happily in your class! Best of luck getting organized for your next teaching adventure! :-)

[kecia]

that is the strangest building! but my brain feels like that sometimes!

[Tonya Davidson]

That building has been under construction for at least a couple years now. I too was taken back by it's design. It's almost surreal. I think it's just another look at a waste of money/excess in action. What happened to a just building a building that is simple and efficient. That uses the least amount of materials, energy, space? Why the need for excess? Especially when it's an organization that probably gets grants, funding, donations, etc. Why the need to spend it on a building when it could be helping it patrons instead. I think this is terrible design.

Living in the desert, I can say whoot whoot for fake grass. You wouldn't believe how much water is wasted in Phoenix watering grass, trees and golf courses! It is an ironic statement for Vegas though. Love that you pointed that out.

Looks like a fun class! Have a great time in Houston! Thanks for sharing your pictures. I enjoy your blog ;-)

[Renate]

Interesting structure, that brain clinic. Looks like you had a good time.
You had snow again - well, maybe it is odd, but I'm glad it wasn't here!
Have a wonderful day!!