OLD PORTLAND, NEW PORTLAND, TODAY PORTLAND WITH MARK ROTHKO

This is a scene of old Portland, a painting by Mark Rothko, hanging in new Portland.

A single bridge, a barren Eastside, a cloudy sky.

Yep, looks like Portland.

Here’s how I know:

 

 

It was in the Rothko Gallery in the Rothko Pavilion north of the Tim and Mary Boyle Plaza.

 

At the center of the Museum’s expansion and renovation project is the stunning three-story Mark Rothko Pavilion.

The pavilion is named in recognition of painter Mark Rothko’s legacy in Portland—his home as a youth after immigrating from Latvia—and his connection to the Museum, where he took his first art classes and received his first solo exhibition.

The Mark Rothko Pavilion was made possible by two remarkable opportunities.

The project’s lead donor asked to name the building for an artist instead of the donor; this in turn opened the door to a first-of-its-kind partnership with the children of Mark Rothko, Christopher Rothko and Kate Rothko Prizel.

The partnership includes the loan to the Museum of major paintings by Mark Rothko from their private collection. The paintings will be loaned individually in rotation over the course of the next two decades, and displayed in a specially designated space within the Museum’s galleries.

As the only major arts museum between Seattle and San Francisco—Portland Art Museum is a vital cultural resource serving as a civic cornerstone, educational resource, and beacon of inspiration for the people who live, work, and visit the city of Portland.

 

Down Portland Looks Up

Nothing perks a city up like a celebration of its citizens.

This is not happening in Old Town, in Chinatown, where too many once dazzling restaurants have slid into ruin with doorways shielding drug exchanges instead of welcoming regulars for a dim sum feast.

Not happening at Lincoln High School or Portland State University, two schools still waiting for a statue of one of the greatest of all Portlanders,Rick Sanders. From state champion wrestler many times over, to national championships, a world championship, and two Olympic silver medals, Rick earned a place.

Wouldn’t you think such a stellar athlete deserves a public showing for the ages?

With Vera Katz on the promenade, Allow Me the ‘umbrella man’ in Pioneer Square, there’s still room to install a few Ricks.

It’s not happening in Lake Oswego with Don Schollander. Don who?

That’s the point.

 

By all measures, Don Schollander is a legend in the sport, a Hall of Fame talent who was unrivaled in his heyday.

From 1962 to 1968, Schollander set 11 world records in the 200 free, including seven consecutive marks from 1964 to 1968. Over the course of those records, Schollander took the time in the event from 2:00.4 to 1:54.3, a massive leap that speaks to the revolutionary nature of Schollander’s skill.

Schollander, only 18, matched what legendary track athlete, Jesse Owens, managed at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin: four gold medals.

 

If Denmark can have their Little Mermaid in the harbor, shouldn’t Lake O have a Giant Schollander near the water?

Where’s the will of the people, people?

 

Industrial Residence In Today Portland

Is it a factory, or an apartment building?

 

Same question:

 

Different parts of Portland have converted warehouse space to loft space.

If you want a weird city apartment, that’s the way to go.

In other parts of Portland office buildings turn into condos.

 

 

What I like best is the variety, the different heights, different girths, different surroundings.

Look at a picture of Portland from 1928, and 2026, and you might see some of the same buildings.

Scroll this link for a look.

 

 

PS:

No matter where you are there’s more than meets the eye.

Part of your job as a responsible citizen is finding it.

Take a look in the Oregon History Museum Library.

Start there to build a campaign to place Rick Sanders and Don Schollander on an equal footing with Portlandia.

 

PSS:

Discover the mysteries of civic negligence on famous Oregonians.

If Mark Rothko gets his flowers, find some others

Look in the Oregon Encyclopedia.