Category Archives: Art and design

Hasbro absquatulates

Posted on September 9, 2025 by David Brussat

400 Summer St., in Boston’s Seaport District, where Hasbro has chosen to relocate its headquarters building, along with 700 jobs. (Photo courtesy of CoStar News) Rhode Islanders are mourning the loss of a leading manufacturer, Hasbro, which has announced its … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design | 3 Comments

David A. Mittell Jr.: R.I.P.

Posted on June 20, 2025 by David Brussat

I can find no other indication that David has passed away, beyond a phonecall from an even closer friend, to the effect that he passed away Thursday morning, age 82. David was a prolific editorial writer and columnist for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and design | Tagged | 2 Comments

Paul Revere’s Ride, on piano

Posted on April 20, 2025 by David Brussat

William Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, set to piano music, written and played by the Rhode Island pianist Benjamin Nacar. Ben’s playing brings to life most beautifully the cadence of Paul Revere’s famous ride and its memorialization in poetry. It was performed … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and design, Rhode Island, Video | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Our Rube Goldberg world

Posted on January 15, 2025 by David Brussat

Or, the Architecture of our Lives By this title I refer to the structures of the lives that we Americans, most of us, lead. Notwithstanding all the other things we all have going on in our lives, much of our … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design, Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Olympic start was a bit off

Posted on July 27, 2024 by David Brussat

Many around the globe had hoped to be thrilled by this year’s opening ceremonies at the XXXIII Olympiad. The beauty of Paris offered splendid opportunity, if organizers had only let Paris be Paris. But sadly, it was not to be. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Rebuild Key Bridge as it was

Posted on March 27, 2024 by David Brussat

President Biden has said he will rebuild the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, over the Papatsco River leading into the Port of Baltimore, at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The bridge, completed in 1977, was hit by a freighter … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Classic movies to the rescue!

Posted on July 11, 2023 by David Brussat

It seems that Turner Classic Movies is at risk of being canceled. A trio of superheroes (mega movie stars and producers) has ridden to the rescue, for now, of the channel for people who like old and relatively old films, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and design | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Can high court ban copying?

Posted on May 27, 2023 by David Brussat

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the other day in a decision about art that could have a negative influence on classical architecture. The 7-2 decision in a case involving the art (I use the term out of politeness) of Andy … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“From Paris to Providence”

Posted on January 4, 2023 by David Brussat

514 Broadway, the Prentice House, in Providence, where Anna and Laura Tirocchi had their dressmaking shop. Now known as the Wedding Cake House, it is a chic hotel. (Tirocchi Archive) Providence was once a world leader in textile manufacturing, including … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Better lights for Providence

Posted on October 17, 2022 by David Brussat

Getting into the Wayback Machine, I alight on this blog post from February 6, 2015, called “Better lights for Providence,” atop of which is a beautiful photo of Benefit Street and its lovely, faux-18th century amber lights. I thought that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art and design, Blast from past | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments