Saturday, July 21, 2012

The Giver: Cheekwood Treehouse

“Today is declared an unscheduled holiday.” 
― Lois Lowry, The Giver

 

I took Friday off from work, instead of my usual Saturday. My unscheduled holiday was spent with my mother at Cheekwood, in Nashville. I visited The Giver Treehouse and was impressed by its design. The Giver is my favorite book and this architectural masterpiece reminded me of some favorite Lois Lowry quotes. I have no idea how she wrote such a brilliantly creative novel! For those of you who have never read The Giver- stop whatever it is that you’re doing right now and start turning pages. After you’ve finished this literary homework, take a trip to Cheekwood to see the treehouse below…I promise you’ll be glad you did…

About The Giver Treehouse at Cheekwood:

DESIGN FIRM: Chasm Architecture
DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS: Travis E. Parker, Charles D. Polk
CONSTRUCTION FIRM: Bell Construction
CONSTRUCTION TEAM MEMBERS: Rick Loatwall, Terry Horton, Darek Bell, William Baggett 






"I'm right, then," The Giver said. "You're beginning to see the color red." "The what?" The Giver sighed. "How to explain this? Once, back in the time of the memories, everything had a shape and size, the way things still do, but they also had a quality called color. – Lois Lowry, The Giver  

Our people made that choice, the choice to go to Sameness. Before my time, before the previous time, back and back and back. We relinquished color when we relinquished sunshine and did away with difference. We gained control of many things. But we had to let go of others. – Lois Lowry, The Giver

 

"Things could change... Things could be different. I don't know how, but there must be some way for things to be different. There could be colors.”  – Lois Lowry, The Giver, 1993
 

They were satisfied with their lives which had none of the vibrance his own was taking on. And he was angry at himself, that he could not change that for them. - Lois Lowry, The Giver


Visit:  http://www.loislowry.com/ and be sure to check out her blog!


Read Lowry's Newberry Acceptance Speech for The Giver:
 

“Even trained for years as they all had been in precision of language, what words could you use which would give another the experience of sunshine?” ― Lois Lowry, The Giver

 

“But why can’t everyone have the memories? I think it would seem a little easier if the memories were shared. You and I wouldn’t have to bear so much by ourselves, if everyone took a part.” 
- Lois Lowry, The Giver
  

Cheekwood Treehouses: Great Works of Literature

5/26/2012 – 9/3/2012

 

1200 Forrest Park Drive

Nashville Tennessee 37205

 615.356.8000


 


 


5 comments:

Ruth said...

Thanks for this post. I love Cheekwood and I love The Giver.

Regina Hodge said...

Thank you, Ruth! I'll be sure to visit your blog and hope you'll check out other posts soon. I'm glad you enjoyed this! :)

Regina Hodge said...

Many thanks to Cheekwood for featuring this post on Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest! You've more than made my day and I can't wait to come back soon. :)

Rachel zachary said...

I love the giver Reggie can you take me to this treehouse :)?

Regina Hodge said...

Rachie, I'm afraid that this exhibit ended recently. :(
I can take you to Cheekwood when you come for a visit, but I'll have to do some research to figure out where this treehouse will be then! I have family passes, so you should come for the scarecrow feature...It starts on my birthday, so that gives you a good excuse to drive to Nashville! I miss you and would love to have you guys come stay with us awhile!