Throw Ya Hands Up: When Hip-Hop and Architecture Converged
Earlier this week, I lamented over not finding an architecture-related video as good as Ted Kamp's brilliant Mies van der Rohe tribute that I posted a few months ago. Now comes Urban Observer reader Mike Waldinger who sent me a link to this above gem from the early 1980s PBS educational show, 3-2-1 Contact, which used rap music--and what I'm sure the producers thought was MTV style video--to teach kids about architecture.
Look closely and you can see at least two Chicago-related examples, such as the Pullman Factory and Administration Building at 111th and Cottage Grove and a real lost treasure: SOM's circa 1980 neon-like computer animation of Chicago and its skyline.
The young rappers on this clip wouldn't have made anyone back then forget about The Treacherous Three--and their 'street' pronunciation of "archi-teckcha" made me giggle--the idea that the newly evolved artform of rap was being used for educate city kids about architecture was kinda revolutionary. Now excuse me while I track down my old Kangol and my Adidases with the fat shoe laces...
Comments
Isn't that a series of plates from the Tribune Tower competition too?
Posted by: BWChicago![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://leebey.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 28, 2007 02:00 AM
BWChicago: Good eye! I think Gropius' entry is near the beginning, but later in the clip there is a quick montage of a bunch of them. Thanks
Posted by: UrbanObserver | November 28, 2007 09:15 AM
I so loved that show.. thanks for the flash back..
how about some electric company too
...did you hear about the parental advisory they put on the original Sesame street season one dvd they put out?
Posted by: Raquita | November 28, 2007 01:37 PM
Raquita: I bought the Sesame Street DVDs earlier this year and noticed the advisory and was puzzled by it. The only thing that I could find remotely objectionable was the kids play in a junkyard in one of the shorts. The short includes a kid who cant tell the difference between "under" "over" and "around" and he keeps running into stuff. That and the first episode begins with Gordon finding a little girl wandering down the street and introduces her (and us) to Sesame Street...and even takes her home to meet Susan. But still, I think the folks behind the DVD are being overly sensitive..
Posted by: UrbanObserver | November 28, 2007 08:50 PM
Love the blog, if i may ask, what software are you using? how much does it cost? where do you get it? If it's not a secret email me some details wouldya?
thanks in advance!
Posted by: CalArch | February 13, 2008 04:54 AM