Charlotte Jones Anderson: Fashioning a Modern Forum

Whatever the secret connection between football and fine art, 
The Dallas Cowboys have discovered it...

Ricci Albenda Interior Landscape, Full Spectrum (2009)

Olifur Eliasson, Fat Super Star (2008-09)

Just recently I was given the opportunity to 
spend some time with Charlotte Jones Anderson, Vice President of the Dallas Cowboys Football Organization. We met on a Thursday morning and I have to say it was a very memorable experience. Arriving at the stadium a little early, I looked up at the facade of the structure in awe for just a second or two. It is a little intimidating. The stadium covers 73 acres, over three million square feet and has the largest dome top ever built by mankind. I think respect is the correct word for what I was feeling. I was met at the "A" entrance by Phil Whitfield, a valued member of the Cowboys Stadium staff and all around nice guy. After our introduction, Phil and I began the journey of taking in all of the incredible comissioned art that had been created especially for this venue.

Doug Aitken, New Horizon (2009)

The tour was spectacular and the art  breathtaking. I realized then that seeing it in near solitude was a memory I would never forget. 
The sheer size of the installations that populate the collection is worth noting. 30- and 40- foot walls leave room for a lot of art! We moved from piece to piece and I took the images I would use in my article. Each piece was more astounding than the last as to the range of colors, textures, and size. Some pieces were so spectacular that I was carried away. I do not exaggerate. 
In addition, anyone who has been to the stadium knows that it is, in itself, a work of art. It is imposing and inspiring at the same time.

Mel Bochner, Win! 2009

When we finished the tour, we had made a circle (or should I say oval) around the entire stadium, going up and down elevators. At one point I crawled over a railing and out onto a catwalk to get my shot. So much fun! As was prearranged, I left Phil and was met by Charlotte at a designated spot for my interview with her. Charlotte began by telling me the history of the stadium project and how the art that inhabits it came to be. Art was apparently a large part of the idea behind the project from the very beginning. The family wanted to bring all manner of contemporary art into the stadium in a meaningful way, and their success in this regard shows. I told Mrs. Anderson about the first time Allan and I saw the stadium. I relayed how we had noticed that the materials that were chosen were really wonderful, not only for serving their designated function but also for the beauty of the materials themselves. The art is definitely at home in this museum of a stadium.  

Franz Ackermann, Coming Home and (meet me) At the Waterfall
(2009)

When we saw it for the first time, I actually stood and stared at one of the pieces for several minutes, trying to imagine the artists working on their pieces while the stadium was under construction. Charlotte told me about the creation of Gary Simmons' Blue Field Explosions. As the story goes, Mr. Simmons who was very afraid of heights, was provided with special scaffolding and a harness which secured him safely in place while he worked. The artists technique incorporated the drawing of curved lines of white on the background of blue and then in swiping backwards with what looked to all like a typical golfing glove. 

Gary Simmons, Blue Field Explosions (2009)

All of this happened to extremely loud music he had playing. "I have to say, it was more fun watching what was going on where he was working than being anywhere else in the stadium!" She went on to say that, "the artists were from all over the world and were so excited to be a part of this project". And, it really does show.
With characteristic graciousness, she talked me through the planning stage for the art selection and I could tell from my tour that the planning stage itself had been a giant undertaking.

Mathew Ritchie, Line of Play(2009) 

"I will say something about my family. When we don't know something, we go and find those that do", Charlotte said. And find them they did. Under the direction of Gene Jones, Charlotte's mother, an art council was formed to decide on the artists who would be given invitations to create one-of-a-kind, permanent installations. 
The council included art world luminaries such as Michael Auping, Chief Curator for the Museum of Modern Art in Ft. Worth and Charles Wylie, the Lupe Murchison Curator of Contemporary Art for the Dallas Museum of Modern Art. The council also included contemporary collectors of note. Among these were Howard Rachofsky, Gayle Stoffel and Melissa Meeks, Director of Two x Two for AIDS and Art. The council was then directed by Mary Zlot & Associates out of San Francisco. This art council eventually chose each artist by group decision. They went through slides from all of the artists who had been selected for review. Then when we had a unanimous vote for that artist, they were the choice. "Charlie and Michael, they just got it. They realized it was a great idea." Charlotte intoned. The council understood that some people may not have the opportunity to visit museums regularly, so to bring the art in the Cowboys Stadium to the fans themselves was the goal. "And the truth is, more people have the ability to enjoy our art by benefit of sheer location"! Charlotte said.


We also talked about Charlotte and Gene's charity work.
As many know, The Salvation Army is the charity organization which demands most of the Jones family's attention. 

The Owners Club

The family realized that they (The Salvation Army) were so busy doing the hard work of maintaining the services they are committed to providing, that they had little time or money for raising public awareness for the organization. 

She conveyed that since they know about publicity and marketing and can pull people together, they are naturally in a position to partner with this type of organization. "We love the work we do with them", she said while giving me the kind of bright smile that is indicative of the hard work that  brings a very deserved reward in spirit.
We went on to talk about her time as the head of the universally-popular Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. 

Cowboys Stadium

"When Dad first bought the team, he was having trouble with the organization of all of the various pieces. That is how I became involved". So it seems  that a decision made from a  momentary crises, turned into an opportunity! Apparently Jerry called her one day and expressed dismay at the line of women outside the door of the Cowboys offices. As it turned out, the paper had run an article announcing that the cheerleader outfits would morph into one comprised of hot pants and halter tops. She didn't explain whether the women were there to try out, having been seduced by the idea of the wonderfully skimpy outfit, or if the line was composed of seamstresses there to make the alterations to the famous attire! I didn't double check the facts on this point as I kind of wanted it to remain a mystery. I think both ideas are equally as entertaining! Sometimes the myth surrounding a story is better than the reality of what really happened!

Charlotte Jones Anderson Vice President
Dallas Cowboys Football Organization

Whether in terms of the Cheerleaders or the stadium, the team or the fabulous art collection, Mrs. Anderson has brought the Cowboys organization and Dallas into the era of record-setting giant video screens and Super Bowls with her patented brand of business savvy, Dallas style and Texas-centric marketing. What a winning combination! We can't wait to be a part of the next successes ushered in by our home-town hero machine!


And, beyond all of this, isn't it just fun to be a Cowboys fan? 





*Please visit http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/ for information regarding 
general stadium tours, art tours and hours of operation.


*Please inquire about the different types of tours available at Cowboys Stadium.


Article by Cearan Henley
chenley@allan-knight.com
Allan Knight ~live beautifully
Select photography including images of art and Charlotte Jones Anderson provided by The Dallas Cowboys Football Organization.
Other photography by Cearan Henley

"The Shop" ~by Laura Lee Clark Interior Designs

"The Shop" by Laura Lee Clark Interior Design, Inc.

"The Shop" carries Nest and Dayna Decker

Candles 

Point of Purchase...

This isn't an article of praise, although there may be some. Neither is it a listing of accomplishments even though it would make writing this post rather easy. This blog is a slice of life from one of Dallas' most sought after names in design. Laura Lee Clark Falconer has been one of Allan's friends and clients since he opened the original showroom at 1400 Hi Line. She followed us to our new home at the International Design Center and we have always enjoyed working with her.

As Maggie Smith tells Sarah Jessica Parker's character in "First Wives Club", "all you need to take your place in society is the perfect florist, an utterly ideal chef.... and.. a decorator of death". 

The death part is a good thing!

The Famous Peacock

Maggie was talking about that perfect, ideal, know you from the inside out and make your surroundings match your personality kind of designer. Laura Lee Clark Falconer is that type of professional. 

Her work speaks for itself and after 19 years, she has more than a little bit of experience to lean into. Her talented design team surrounds and assists as she whirls from project planning and installation to purchasing and merchandising her wondrous boutique on Dragon. Several years ago, Laura Lee began toying with the idea of having a shop that would double as the facade of her already successful design business. I recently browsed the shop for the first time. It was a welcomed and most interesting trip off my own usual route.

I enjoyed not only meeting some of the extended crew, but also in seeing the artfully arranged, compelling merchandise that she imports, finds or dreams into being.

Accessories Deluxe

"Take your time and look around; we are always getting in new things", she says to me on her way back from an appointment, with blueprints and memo samples in hand. Completely together and walking with brisk purpose, she stops to chat before continuing on to her waiting design staff.

As I worked my way through her shop I made a mental list of the things I really liked, including several antique books and a certain silver plated chair that literally blew this writer away.

Any boutique owner that keeps candles burning is a smart one. I shop better when this particular one of my 5 senses is stimulated and Laura Lee keeps her shoppers happy with multiple choices of candles scents from 3 unique lines.

What a pleasure and surprise to find this in my own neighborhood!

Serene Setting

Not too long ago she admonished Allan to, "Come in and see the Peacock"! When I was visiting The Shop, I asked her if the bird had a name and she said, "Not that I'm aware of", with wry smile. Although I am not sure of preserved animals, I was an instant fan of the amazing presentation of this beautiful creature. It is a find for a library or conservatory. Startling, but quite brilliant really.

When away from her busy professional life, her world revolves around her daughter Ana and her husband John Falconer. "We love running over to Mi Cocina in Highland Park Village. It has become a small tradition

that we all look forward to, plus we love Mexican food"!

I am always amazed at the talent that surrounds us right here in Dallas. We are in a crucible of design and the good do indeed rise.

In "First Wives Club", Sarah Jessica Parker does not get her designer apartment in the end, but we seem to get a peek into this peculiar realm of high end design. And that world states that a good designer is worth it. Laura Lee is that designer.

Cabinet of Curiosities

We have to leave the mingling of treasures such as Tang horses, Venetian glass lamps and oceanic artifacts mounted on acrylic to talented hands.

She definitely has the touch and we root for and applaud her successes... 

Which seem to come very often these days!

Laura Lee Clark Falconer

Laura Lee Clark Interior Design, Inc. 1516 Dragon St.  214.265.7272
lauraleeclark.com

article and photography by Cearan Henley

chenley@allan-knight.com

"Cakewalk" Makes it Look Easy!

When Liz Dalton of Dalton Designs Inc. approached us several years ago about creating a one of a kind chandelier for a very special project, we went to work on it, never suspecting that the project we were involved in was part of Cakewalk, the largest yacht by volume ever produced... in the United States!

If we had been told this at the time, we could not have imagined the incredible end product. It was best for us the do our design work and leave the rest to the talented team at Dalton Design!

Well, flash forward 2.5 years and as Allan and I were returning from New York and were trapped at La Guardia, I was perusing a news stand when the word CAKEWALK! peeked above the rest of the magazines. I lifted it up because that is the coded sidemark we placed on all of the paperwork pertaining to this project. I opened up the magazine and there it was. The James Lockridge Custom Oversized, Stationary Chandelier. I was so excited that I ran out of the store without paying for the periodical!

The James Lockridge "Adam Oversized, 
Stationary Chandelier" 

I did return to pay for the magazine, but not before showing it to an equally excited Allan. We had no idea where the chandelier was going. What an excellent surprise!
With much pleasure, I present some of the images from that article.


All images and information courtesy of Boat International Media and the editorial and photography staff for Showboats International magazine.

The Dining Room on Cakewalk

Just to go out and play for a day on Cakewalk.. even if it was moored in its parking place, would be a
once in a lifetime adventure. We can dream can't we?
And that name.. "Cakewalk".

"It's so easy to live this way"... it seems to say with a smirk.

And we really want to believe it.



Thank you Boat International Media for your beautiful images.
Thanks go to Liz Dalton for letting us be a part of this project.




Article by Cearan Henley
chenley@allan-knight.com