SOAKING IT UP IN TEXAS 
Back in Texas for the grand opening of his new “pavilion” for the Kimbell Museum in Fort Worth — a design the institution liked so much they decided to name the building after its architect — the loquacious Renzo Piano has a few comments for Dallas writer Betsy Lewis about the Houston landscape: “You may be used to the light in Texas, but it’s a special light. It’s brilliant, stronger than usual. I remember actually one of the first things we did when I came in ’80, Dominique de Menil told me, ‘I want to go to Israel because I’ve been told that Israel is the same light as Texas.’ I don’t know why she said that. By the way, it was not true. But it is true that Israel has a strong light. But in Texas it’s also because of the latitude, because of the absence of mountains, and the clouds and the nature. Nature is also very spatial. It’s flat. When you plant a tree in Texas, it grows up. It’s a real forest. That there’s something in the water in Texas is probably true. Sometimes people believe that countries are different because of funny trees, but anyway . . . There’s something in the water as well. I’m joking. I’m talking about the water table. But anyway things are special in Texas.” [Glasstire] Photo of Piano Pavilion, Fort Worth: Glasstire
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Look, I’ve always appreciated Renzo Piano’s work, but to name a building after him??? He was paid handsomely for this commission, why name the building after him. I’m sure thru the years many people have given money and time to the Kimbel and were not paid millions for a commission. It really is absurd to name a building after a person who has next to no attachment to the Kimbel except this recent commission. Hey, we’ll pay you millions to do whet you love then name the building after you–seriously?
Does Renzo Piano have a residence in Texas?
How do you know that he didn’t donate any money? He most likely donated a portion of his fee for the naming.
I don’t know what he’s talking about. I don’t think he does either.
When can you ever remember a museum building being named after architect?-and Piano is notoriously cheap, believe me he didn’t donate a cent –geez!, I get so tired of arguing with people on this site who honestly don’t have a clue–and where are all the regulars –it’s like the site changed and everybody left–it sucks, nobody really comments except the odd and clueless –I’m not liking the new format –it’s all ads and the same blurb over and over–yes!, Swamplot we know all about your awards–enough!–it’s really ruined the site–I know I don’t check the site as much anymore –too bad–
what a silly thing to complain about. if this site redesign is just a scheme to get shannon to not check the site as often, then i approve.
I’m sure there are Texas moneybags who don’t yet have museum buildings named after them. Let them keep donating. Or let their wives continue to play the social game with their hubbies’ money…..
seriously, it’s pretty obvious there is less comments and the threads are a lot less interesting. I used it like this site so of course I care about the lack of former commenters and the fact the new format is a downgrade from the former in terms of ease of use and aesthetics. It’s startling how quickly the site has changed and the that the regulars seem to have left and what’s left are spiteful bores, who have nothing to say about the thread or the site. This sadly seems to be the future of Swamplot. I’ve never witnessed a site change so much in such a short time, I hardly recognize it and obviously many feel the same.
I don’t comment much any more, but it’s not because of the format, nor the article content. I still enjoy the site.