I looked down at my watch as I loudly shut the heavy wooden door of my bedroom. Once again, I was late. I sprinted across North Quad onto the grass in front of the dining hall and down the path towards Case Center. My peers and professors were gathered in a circle, talking outside in the warm April weather. After a few minutes, we all broke into our groups to drive to Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza. Peter, Hannah and I all scrunched into the back of Katie’s car. We left Skidmore’s wooded campus, drove onto the highway, and made it to our final destination in Albany. We decided to ride with the windows down, so the five of us were practically screaming at one another in order to converse. Although we did talk about how the research was coming along for our site presentations, we spent the majority of the time discussing the different types of foods we wanted to try in Italy.
When we arrived in the parking lot, Professor Curley and Spinner greeted us with the tour equipment. Everyone put on their earphones that projected the professors' voices into our ears. After our group was oriented, we make our way to our first destination. Beautiful buildings and the surrounding environment took me by surprise. As we progressed on our adventure, we walked up the New York State Museum and came across the memorial to those who dedicated their lives to serving in World War II. The concealed space was standing behind a multitude of tall trees marking the perimeter of the walkway. A circular pool made from granite slabs rests in the middle. As I walked around the narrow path around the pool, the idea of sacrifice and freedom resonated within me. I read the names ingrained on the side of the granite slab of those who had died.
A few minutes later, we crossed the street to the Empire State Plaza. While sitting on the smooth steps of the museum, the class focused on the symmetry seen in the Brutalist buildings set around the reflecting pool. To the right of me were four Agency buildings which were block-like structures, while to the left of me, I could see an egg-shaped building. The oddly-shaped building was actually a theatre. The buildings made with concrete looked modern and futuristic while the New York State Capitol building facing directly in front of the group looked completely different. The facade of the Capitol building was extremely decorative with a white exterior.
Next, Professor Spinner and Curley guided the group to the bottom of the stairs to stop at the wooden labyrinth and continue on to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial site. On our way, we passed children dancing, people skateboarding, and families walking around the plaza.
At the Fallen Firefighters Memorial, the class gathered in front of a massive bronze sculpture of two firefighters holding their injured partner. As I walked around the site, I looked at the names carved into the granite wall that lay behind the statue. While there were many names already etched into the stone, Professor Spinner and Curley explained how the empty spaces left were meant as placeholders for future deaths.
Our trip to Albany also included a visit to the concourse underground. While the corridor underneath resembled a regular train station at first, our eyes were quick to see the beautiful art collection hidden below. Large abstract pieces lined the walls next to coffee shops and restaurants which added fun colors to space. The concourse brought us back to the front of the plaza where we headed back to campus.
The field trip provided to be more informative and interesting than I had anticipated. I was able to see a space that looks modern and harsh while appreciating the welcoming and fun side. The museum, the theatre, the reflecting pool, Capitol and Agency buildings all create a space where people can come together as a community. While it seems like this place is for government buildings, I also felt like people were drawn to the plaza even if it was only for a few hours. By exploring the plaza, I was able to see how art is important to the people of Albany in the concourse and theatre. I also noticed how a sense of structure and order could be found within the architecture. I liked how the space could be used in a variety of ways. Lastly, the reflecting pool and monuments seemed to be aimed at the past while the buildings were designed to be modern and look towards the future.
While reflecting on the field last week’s trip, I think the trip did an amazing job preparing the class for our future adventures in Rome. We were able to observe the space, symmetry, art, and culture of the plaza all within the course of a few hours. After spending time with the class, I am excited to see how we work together in Rome and I know that the discussions and observations we make will be interesting and eye-opening.
