One of the more interesting things I did this past weekend was to check out the Move Along show of works by emerging DC photographers at Bloombars. The show was organized by ten miles square, and in case you aren't familiar with the location, Bloombars is that new art gallery and performance space down the street from Wonderland at 3222 11th Street NW in Columbia Heights.

The photography was interesting, but it was a treat just seeing the raw interior of the old storefront where Bloombars is located. Lots of character in there! Also, I got to meet Heather Goss, of DCist and Washingtonian house-renovation fame. There was a $5 suggested donation, and there were snacks and drinks available for purchase, in order to help the art sponsors and exhibitors pay the bills. Later on, there was going to be a musical performance on the small stage, but we couldn't stay that late. I wonder what they'll do next at Bloombars? 

 Last week, you'll recall I was prevented from taking photos of the architectural model of the Columbia Heights Public Realm plan by the manager at the BB&T Bank in Kenyon Square, where it is located. Since then, the issue has been debated on Flickr, and I've contacted Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham for assistance. In addition, I emailed fellow blogger Prince of Petworth, who has a knack for securing photographs of sensitive sites (he's very well-known, and must be far more charming than I am). The results have been pretty satisfactory. Jim Graham's assistant said the model belongs to the city, but the bank does have the right to prohibit photography of it. He said the DC government would either move the model to a more accessible location, and/or have an official photographer post pictures on the DC website. I suggested moving it to the lobby of DCUSA, as well as posting photos somewhere.

The Prince of Petworth must have been rebuffed at the bank as well, but he was able to dig up some (new?) official photos of the model which he just posted on his blog and Flickr photostream. So, the word is getting out about this model, and hopefully more people are venturing into the BB&T lobby to see it in person. It's one thing to look at a two-dimensional plan on paper, but it provides a lot more detail and perspective to see what the neighborhood is going to look like in three dimensions. I'd still like to get some high-resolution photos out there with my wide-angle lens, but will have to wait until they hopefully move the model to a different location. It's important that as many people see what their community is going to physially look like in the coming years, so if you haven't seen it yet, swing by the BB&T bank and check it out. A big thanks to Jim Graham and the Prince of Petworth for looking into this!

A large model and plans of the public realm project for central Columbia Heights is on display in the lobby of the BB&T bank in Kenyon Square, by the Metro Station. The other day I decided to have a closer look at it, and to take some photos with my good camera, so I could share them with the community here, on Flickr, and on the various local message boards. However, the BB&T bank manager would not allow me to take photos of it, and said their policy was to not allow photography of any kind in their lobby for security purposes. Aargh!

I pointed out that I was just going to photograph the publicly owned and funded plaza model, and would crop out any bank personnel, customers, or fixtures who appeared in the frame, but he wouldn't budge. The models shows all the buildings from 14th and Irving up to 14th and Monroe Streets NW, with details of the plaza design, streetscape and sidewalk details. In my opinion, it's a bit overdone and Disney-esque, and nice tasteful brick sidewalks would have been sufficient, but I can't share the details with you without photographs.

This episode highlights to me the arrogance and cluelessness of "no photography" policies. Yes, it's private property and they can do what they like, but that doesn't mean they should ban photography. We're talking about a generic bank lobby here, with some chairs, a counter, and the architectural model in the middle. I would have been happy to show them all the photos I took to assure them that none of their security features like cameras or guards were visible. And even if they were, isn't that the idea of having visible security cameras, to deter would-be bank robbers? Why volunteer to host the large architectural model and book of plans in your lobby if you are worried about security, with non-customers traipsing through. I should also point out that the development the bank is in has benefited greatly from city assistance with redeveloping the area, so a little flexibility is in order. They've lost me as a potential BB&T customer, that's for sure.