KiMo Legacy
Ken Lund. flickr
One of Albuquerque’s most notable landmarks is the gorgeous KiMo Theater. Built in 1927 by Oreste Bachechi, the building is a work of art that has (just barely, at times) withstood the tests of change and progress and still provokes amazement in visitors and Burquenos alike.
Entrance, Karen Blaha. flickr
Designed by Carl Boller, the extravagant structure is a blend of Art Deco and southeast-inspired Pueblo Revival architecture, incorporating adobe building styles and indigenous motifs. Having been inspired by the Navajo, Acoma and Isleta cultures in his travels around New Mexico, Boller filled the theater with intricate detail, pattern and color. Air vents look like Navajo blankets, overhead beams are painted to look like logs, the chandeliers are war drums or canoes. Esoteric symbols dance around outlines, iron birds take flight over the grand stairway and rows of buffalo heads and terra-cotta shields adorn the walls, inside and out.
Lintel, Asaavedra32. Wikimedia Commons
Nine large murals in oil by Carl Von Hassler depict scenes of Pueblo life. The result is absolutely enchanting, and a must-see for any art lover visiting Albuquerque.
Murals.
Named after the Tiwo word for mountain lion, The KiMo was almost demolished by the city in the 1970’s, after years of disrepair and a fire. Thankfully, the decision was made to restore and renovate, and this unique piece of architecture is still available to be enjoyed today and provides a stage for plays, performances, movies and other events.
Door Handles, MrTinDC. flickr
I've always been impressed with the detail and extravagance that they used to put into theaters back in the day. The Fox Theater in Detroit is a prime example of this. It is encouraging to see that people are becoming champions for these places and working to restore them as opposed to demolishing them. I shudder to think of all the small town theaters with original intricate artwork that have been destroyed over the years in the name of progress...
These kind of structures are the beauties of architecture which are meant to be praised.
Keep sharing such amazing stories of landmarked monuments.
That is really cool. The level of detail in the paint work and the ceiling especially is amazing. It's nice that they kept it in its traditional form. Many old buildings get renovated to the modern look and lose all of their character in the process.
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That's an awesome theature. So much character in the place. Very cool. I can see why it's such an attraction
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