As we wander home, there have been few times where we pass over previously traveled territory. One place that kind of passed through our radar before was Greenburg, Kansas. We had commented on how strangely new everything seemed as we blasted through town way back in late April. A few miles down the road we remembered that this was a town that had taken a severe tornado hit back in May '07 and that most of the rebuilding was being done with "green" materials and technology -- seems appropriate and ironic for a town named Greensburg. This time we intended on stopping by for a more focused look and, after all, this town has another claim to fame -- The World's Largest Hand Dug Well".
With new awareness, things seemed to make a lot more sense. Many structures in town were very new with most having some out of the ordinary elements from windmills/generators, solar collectors and special architecture. FYI: On May 4, 2007 Greensburg was 95% wiped off the face of the earth by an F5 tornado 1-3/4 of a mile wide; 11 people died and many more were seriously injured. Do a quick Google image search and you'll see how totally decimated this poor farm town was in pictures. With an Olympian level of "making lemonade from lemons" attitude, this little burg is returning perhaps better than before the disaster.
On our drive around town, we came upon a very unique and hard to ignore structure. This ultra-modern building happens to be the home of
"5.4.7 Art Center" (tornado date 05/04/07). The sign said it was closed on Mondays and Tuesday but our Oddasee mojo was working; they happened to be open because they were setting up a new exhibit. This shining example of green eco-architecture was designed by Studio 804, third year graduate architecture students from Kansas University, with most of the physical labor also done gratis. This building was designated as LEED Platinum, the highest level of "green building"; the first award in Kansas. The place is beautiful and way cool; can we live there....please.
In addition to the incredible architecture, design and space, the current exhibit was fantastic. Ceramic artist Carol Long of St. John, KS has a solo show of her beautiful clay work. Her work is very unique. It's highly well crafted, tactile, sensuous, creative and, in addition to aesthetics, there is an overt message in much of the work. It was wonderful that S. could not resist the also appealing price and is now (it will be shipped after the run of the show) the proud owner of an art tile. You know R., he's kind of picky/snobby/has highly developed and discerning tastes (oh, brother what a load of hooey) about art and does not offer glowing critical reviews lightly. That said, he was impressed.... great work.
Oh yeah, "The World's Largest Hand Dug Well" -- it's the 8th Wonder of the World. It out shines the Pyramids of Giza hands down. What an engineering marvel and that's not to mention the extraordinary visual elements; makes the Palace at Versailles look like a 7-11. We were speechless and so very grateful that the tornado had not destroyed this national treasure. Look out Disney World, Vegas and the Guggenheimthis place will soon rule the entertainment and art appreciation world..... awesome.
Below are pics of the art center and the Carol Long exhibit. Sadly neither the point and shoot nor the Nikon could accurately capture the power, majesty and breath-taking beauty of the well; see the last few pathetic attempts.
Love with green envy in the F5termath (okay now that is a pun for professionals only; think about it --- think tornados people)
Rodney and Susan
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