ISO Copy of Today's (3/18/21) New York Times

Do still have your copy of today's Times?  In good condition?

I've heard there's a big article on the renovation of the library at my Alma Mater. The project has been designed and construction overseen by Maya Lin..

I've been following progress of the project for the last 3 years.  It is set to re-open by the end of this month.

I'd love to have a hard copy of this issue.  I'll pay you the full cover price and will pick it up from you.

LMK  (Fingers crossed!)  TIA


PM me your address and I can drop it off in your mailbox when I run errands tomorrow. No charge. (It’d just go in recycling otherwise.)


(I was surprised to read in the article that Maya Lin is 61. Seems like just yesterday that she was the young upstart behind the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.)


DaveSchmidt said:

(I was surprised to read in the article that Maya Lin is 61. Seems like just yesterday that she was the young upstart behind the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.)

 Visiting that memorial in Washington always made me break down in tears. Having grown up in the Viet Nam era, knowing people lost to that war, it's the most moving work of architecture I've ever seen. I avoid it now. I can't deal with it. I cry much easier now. 


I remember the first time I visited it. I didn't get it at first. But by the time I walked down to the low point I was a wreck.

Just genius. And the folks who approved it should be given a lot of credit too.


I got two copies by last night.  Thank you for all the offers.

She's definitely done some genius things at Neilson Library as well.  

One of its downfalls - probably typical at the time it was constructed in 1909  -- was how little natural light actually made it inside.  Could be very dark in the basement and other rooms..  Don't think the article mentioned the "Oculus"  she designed which is a huge circular window on the roof.  All the floors below it have open space beneath it, and it lets in natural light all the way to the basement. 

Shared a cab with her after a presentation she'd given of her original plans at the NY Historical Society 3 years ago.  She was lovely and down-to-earth and very excited about the project.  Her mother is an alum..  Can't wait to actually see the final result.


Juniemoon said:

Don't think the article mentioned the "Oculus" she designed which is a huge circular window on the roof.

Check out the top photo and caption on the jump page. That’s what called the Oculus to my attention.


DaveSchmidt said:

Check out the top photo and caption on the jump page. That’s what called the Oculus to my attention.

 In the paper version, they have a very nice photo of her standing next to the Oculus on the front page of the Arst Section, but there's no mention of what it is or why it's there.  There's a CAPTION on a picture on the BACK, again with no explanation of why it's there and how it solves a major problem with the old Neilson.

I thought it was unfortunate that the Times focused on her triumph being muted by the unexpected, recent death of her husband, the art collection HE left behind, the fact that the library will still have BOOKS in it (duh), and her mother's escape from China via a Smith scholarship -- rather than focusing more on the truly remarkable architectural, functional and artistic details that make this a huge achievement that will change lives for generations.

But then, I graduated in the late '70s when Smith was a different place in many ways. I think the same can be said about most any college. 

I've had a problem with how The Times covers Smith for a long time, not just the recent past..


DaveSchmidt said:

Check out the top photo and caption on the jump page. That’s what called the Oculus to my attention.

 But did the article convey to you what the Oculus is?  Just curious.


Juniemoon said:

But did the article convey to you what the Oculus is? Just curious.

No. As you said, the article didn’t mention it. I was just noting the photo and caption, in case you missed them (I often overlook photos when immersed in the printed word), and adding that they made me aware of the Oculus, in case you were worried that readers were left completely in the dark.


DaveSchmidt said:

No. As you said, the article didn’t mention it. I was just noting the photo and caption, in case you missed them (I often overlook photos when immersed in the printed word), and adding that they made me aware of the Oculus, in case you were worried that readers were left completely in the dark.

 Maybe more people know what an oculus is, and appreciate how elegantly she used it to solve the most inherent problem in the library.  The article glossed over her architural triumphs that renew and  transform what is (literally & figuratively) the heart of the Smith campus -- in favor of focusing on her personal loss, the details of her late husband's art collection, unrelated  troubles Smith faces right now, and her mother's life story.  A missed opportunity to showcase the impact of what she's accomplished.


DaveSchmidt said:

Juniemoon said:

But did the article convey to you what the Oculus is? Just curious.

No. As you said, the article didn’t mention it. I was just noting the photo and caption, in case you missed them (I often overlook photos when immersed in the printed word), and adding that they made me aware of the Oculus, in case you were worried that readers were left completely in the dark.

 ISWYDT


drummerboy said:

 ISWYDT

 They (Dave & most everyone reading the article) WERE left in the dark as to what it is & the problem it solves, unless they knew before reading the article.  Her architectural prowess & problem-solving talents were ignored.  Poor writing by the Times.



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