Arrowhead, Art and Antlers
What in the world could those 3 things have in common?? Well, I got to enjoy them all this week - but most surprising was that the art was actually at Arrowhead! I had no idea that Arrowhead - home of the Kansas CIty Chiefs actually has quite an impressive art collection. I was invited on a tour which also included a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium, and it was too tempting to pass up.
Arrowhead is the second NFL stadium to showcase world-class art, the first was the Dallas Cowboys. Founded in 2012, the Arrowhead Art Collection includes 33 pieces of contemporary art all created by regional artists with themes focusing on the Midwest and/or football. It is located on the Club Level and in the excitement of being there for a game might easily be overlooked.
Our tour included a nice guide showing where all the pieces are located.
Here are a few of my favorites!
Dierk Van Keppel Endeavor, 2013 An abstract representation of a football in blown glass. (I have actually met Dierk and been to his glass studio!)
Charlie Podrebarac Panorama of the Plains, 2013 This is one of 3 large paintings that are filled with historical figures, artists and landmarks of KC - including my building!!
Anne Lindberg Field Cloud, 2013 A three-dimensional drawing cast across the wall to create a flowing abstract form that looks like wheat or grass. Made from stainless steel wire - it looks really different if you are looking at it from a distance versus close up.
Noppadol Paothong Greater Prairie Chicken Series, Fine Art Photography documenting the Greater Prairie Chicken during their mating dance. Their deep breaths fill up the orange air sacs and the sound is quite booming!! Wish they had added a vocal element!
Marilyn Mahoney Home of the Brave, 2013 Emphasis on the structural elements of the stadium in an abstract architectural drawing.
NedRa Bonds Connecting Threads, 2014 A beautiful quilt showing 3 women of different ethnicities all working together on a quilt.
The rest of the collection was impressive as well. Next we headed to see the behind-the-scenes part of the tour. We headed down to the locker room and the field. By the time we got out on the 50 yard line it was already dark so pictures would not have turned out, but it was still fun to be out there. The guide told us some interesting facts about the configuration of the stadium. It is known as the LOUDEST stadium in the country, and one of the reasons is that the field is actually about 3 stories below ground level so the noise really reverberates. Before it was acceptable to be loud the referees used to threaten to penalize the Chiefs if the crowd didn't quiet down - but now it is acceptable and other stadiums try to beat the decibels recorded there - with no luck! Also the fans are much closer to the field then is actually now legal in the NFL, and even when the stadium was renovated in 2010 the NFL allowed the Chiefs to keep it that way due to the respect they have for Lamar Hunt and all he did for professional football. When my brother and his family were here for the Chiefs/Tampa Bay game back in November my brother actually commented on how close we were to the field. My nephew plays for Tampa Bay so they have been to many of the stadiums around the country and it really was noticeable to them.
The locker room was not super impressive and looked like it hadn't been included in the renovation from 2010 - but the guide did say that since they have build a brand new practice facility the only time the players are ever in the locker room is the day of the game. Something tells me the locker room in the new facility is loaded with great amenities - and it was still cool to see.
From now on when I think of Arrowhead I will not just think football but art as well!
The Antlers were not a part of Arrowhead, but I met my friend Julie at the new Antler Room for drinks and a light dinner Friday night. I have read quite a few reviews and both she and I have been wanting to try it out. It was a spectacularly warm and beautiful night especially for February and they have a huge door that can be opened on a nice night so it's almost like sitting outside. It's located at 25th and Holmes which is just south of Children's Mercy and Truman Medical Center. The neighborhood is called Longfellow and like many neighborhoods in the downtown area going through a revitalization with people moving back to the city and sprucing things up. There are a couple of other locations that looked great as well. I plan to check them out!
Very cool space with lots of antler details. Not large so best to make a reservation to insure you get in.
The food was really interesting and they had a nice wine and beer selection along with a large cocktail list. The food is all small plates so meant for ordering multiple choices and sharing. The waitress suggested we order 6 plates if we wanted it to be a meal, but since neither of us was that hungry we started with 3 which turned out to be just perfect.
From top left - Cauliflower, almond, pickled celery root, butternut squash and apple. Top right - Vertuta, cheddar cheese, spinach, walnut and black garlic bread crumbs. Bottom left - Campanella, lamb sugo, spinach, soffritto, golden raisins and mint. And Julie wanted coffee - French Press!
If you like to try new places and see interesting areas of the city I would highly recommend planning a visit. They are only open for dinner/happy hour. I believe they have plans to open for brunch on the weekend sometime soon.
I also ate at Plate in Brookside last night. It is my second time there and I wrote about it after the first time but it is such a great place I wanted to feature it again. I highly recommend it but reservations especially on the weekend is a must. It's just north of 63rd St on Oak in a beautiful Spanish JC Nichols building.
These pictures really don't show what a great space it is. They have a beautiful bar and small but cool restaurant area.
The food is fantastic - I would describe it as modern Italian. They have a very nice reasonable wine list and a really interesting farm to table menu.
I had the chicken which was fantastic. Served over a squash risotto with pear and broccolini. Jim had the tortellini with beef short rib in a carmelized shallot sauce with pistachios and smoked prosciutto parmesan. Dessert was salted caramel budino and a flourless chocolate cake!!
Well that's what I've been up to! Hope you're making your days great as well!