You're going to love the enthralling Pacific Electric Railway, Then and Now, an exhibit of memorabilia and "then and now" photos based on the book by Steve Crise and Michael Patris. Crise took the exquisite "now" pictures with more than expertise: he added care and wit. Not satisfied to simply position his camera to correspond exactly with the "then" photos, Crise went to the trouble to take his photographs at the same time of day so shadows would correspond. He added witty touches as well, even waiting for the time on a clock to be the same in one photo as it was back then.
Oh and note the detail of the train crossing gate above. A delicious touch.
Doo Dah is our own mini-Burning Man, Pasadena's hand-made, knee-jerk reaction to the Tournament of Roses. There may be other events like it, but they probably haven't had a lot of museum coverage. Bravo to the PMH for proclaiming Doo Dah as part of Pasadena's history, which of course it is. My only concern is the exhibit may legitimize Doo Dah, and I would hate for that to happen.
15 comments:
Now and then is always an interesting theme, especially on a specific topic.
When I saw photo from first exhibition I immediately remember one book what I have. It show same signs (including road sighs) from the different places of the Earth. It's very interesting. We get used to our road signs, but when you see the same sign in 50 different variations, you realize that what they still are different.
I agree, Paul, and when it's done this well it's especially fun.
That sounds fascinating, Artem. I guess every society needs to say the same things, even if we have our different ways of doing so.
This looks great. Especially the "then and now" aspect. I could look at that sort if thing for days.
Bah! Typo... "of thing"!
Two great exhibitions. I'd really like to come over and spend some time looking at both.
Excellent link from yesterday's post with Snotty Scotty, too.
Adele, I love "then and now" too, especially when I'm familiar with the "now."
Dive, I thought the Snotty Scotty references would please you. They are local favorites; they play at the Colorado Street Bridge party and of course in the Doo Dah Parade.
I clicked on the link, Petrea, and did my eyes light up. The top photo shows my church (Pasadena Presbyterian) original building which had to be pulled down after an earthquake in the early 80's, I think. Great to see church with the railway. I noticed the Star News and The Broadway buildings too. Thank you so much! PS. I have never been to the Museum - next trip!!
It is a fun place. Do they still have the hat exhibit? That was my favorite.
I've never been to the Pasadena Museum of History. I really need to make like a tourist in this town and visit all these gems you point out. Have I said that already? Both these exhibits look great. I have until January to go see them. I'm going to do it!
Both of those exhibits look fascinating. If I lived nearby, I'd go.
LOL, that is so cool!
Margaret, the Doo Dah Exhibit is in the room where the hats were. I loved the hats, too.
Do it, Susan. And you might want to save a second visit for later this fall after the Fenyes Mansion reopens. It's part of the museum, too, and deserves its own visit.
It would be fun to show you around here, Ms. M.
Patrizzi, your majesty! Thank you for letting me know, I might not have seen that otherwise because I didn't get "atted." That's very, very nice.
I can only comment now because internet access was difficult in Jackson Hole. Everyone staying at the Lodge was trying to get online at the same time and there wasn't enough bandwidth to cope. Perhaps that kind of problem will soon be history too. Maybe there will even be an exhibition about it.
I knew you'd like the "before and after" railway photos. They're SO WELL DONE! Now I have to look for some of the old RR crossings that are still slightly visible in the Oak Knoll area, taking a photo of the photo along with me. We used to have a red car route along California Boulevard right past our house. Old-timers tell me it went from West Pasadena to Glendora, but I can't find it on a route map. The trains must have been very noisy, because one famous craftsman bungalow up the road was built back to front to shelter the main rooms from the train noise. I know we're all sad now that the trains don't run any more, but I remember when trams were removed from my home town in the 1960s, and everyone was relieved that the noise and visual pollution from the tram lines and overhead electrical wires was gone. Now they've reintroduced them!
Bellis, a story about the train that ran along California Blvd.: One went renegade and barreled down the hill into the Arroyo. No one was hurt. I wish I could remember where I read that. This may have been around the time of Busch Gardens. Either that or I'm conflating those stories.
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