Yale School of Architecture Announces Spring Exhibition Series
Yale University’s Art & Architecture Building, itself an architectural landmark about to undergo a groundbreaking restoration, will be the site early next year of an exhibition titled “Saving Corporate Modernism: Assessing Three Landmarks Designed by Gordon Bunshaft.”
The three modern landmarks that serve as the focus of this exhibition are the Lever House in New York City (1952), the Frazar Wilde Building and gardens of the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (1958) and the headquarters building of the Emhart Manufacturing Company (1963), both in Bloomfield, Connecticut. “Saving Corporate Modernism” will be on exhibit January 8-March 2, and will include a reception and symposium on restoring modern architecture, February 9-10.
“Saving Corporate Modernism” is one in a series of exhibitions and related events taking place in the newly renovated Architecture Gallery at the Yale Art & Architecture Building during the 2001 spring semester.
While the corporate modernism exhibition will be on view in the Building’s Main and South Galleries, another exhibition, “ARCHEWORKS: 1994-2001 Education/Practice-Ethics/Futures,” a retrospective examination of an innovative six-year-old alternative-education post-degree program, will be in the North Gallery, January 8-February 9. A lecture on the subject by Stanley Tigerman and Eva Maddox will take place on Tuesday, January 9, in Hastings Hall, with a reception to follow.
“WORKPLACE,” a show consisting of eight large-format photographs by Vicky Sambunaris documenting offices, warehouses, studios and workshops designed by the architectural office of Deborah Berke, follows in the North Gallery, February 12-April 6. A reception for “WORKPLACE” will be given on Thursday, February 15, after an unrelated lecture, “Recent Work,” by Michael Van Valkenberg.
The third show in the North Gallery for the spring semester is “2 Views of Eero Saarinen: The Architectural Photography of Balthazar Korab and Ezra Stoller.” Curated by School of Architecture faculty member Dean Sakamoto, the exhibition will be on view March 19-May 4. A reception and gallery talk by Balthazar Korab and Ezra Stoller will take place on Thursday, April 12, 5:30-7 p.m.
“Koetter Kim & Associates: Cities and Buildings,” an installation by the architects reflecting the intersection of urbanism and architecture, will follow “Saving Corporate Modernism” in the Main and South Galleries, March 19-May 4. A reception and gallery talk by Fred Koetter, previous dean of the School of Architecture, will take place on Monday, April 9, 5:30-7 p.m.
The exhibitions themselves will showcase the renovation-in-progress of Yale’s celebrated Art & Architecture Building. Designed by Paul Rudolph during his tenure as chairman of the department of Architecture, the building, with its hallmark “corduroy concrete” walls, has been a source of heated controversy since its completion in 1963. Indeed, a reviled and revered symbol of architecture as self-expressive art, the building was gutted by a fire of unknown provenance in 1969.
The restoration of the building, led by the present dean of the School of Architecture, Robert A.M. Stern, largely returns the altered post-fire interior to its original form. Taking advantage of a considerable expansion of Yale’s arts facilities, Stern has reopened spaces that had been infelicitously divided up. The grand, light-filled spaces, which emerged as functional sheet rock walls and false floors were removed, serve as galleries for the School of Architecture’s many exhibitions.
In addition to the above exhibitions, student shows will be displayed in the North and South Halls of the third floor throughout the spring term. These include an exhibition of work by the student recipient of the George Nelson Scholarship, Paul Arougheti, January 8-March 2; digital media course work by students of John Eberhart, March 19-May 4; product designs by students of Dean John Jacobson, January 8-March 2; and “The Yale Building Project 2000” by students of Paul Brouard, March 19-May 4.
At the end of the term, May 18-22, the Main, North and South Galleries will be devoted to displaying the work of students, including that of H.I. Feldman Prize nominees. A reception in conjunction with Commencement and Class Day activities will be held Sunday, May 20, 5:30-7 p.m.
All events are free and open to the public. The Yale Art & Architecture Building is located at 180 York Street. Hours for the Gallery are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturdays. For general inquiries regarding this schedule, related events or directions, call (203) 432-2288. For specific information regarding the exhibition series or program, contact Dean Sakamoto, director of exhibitions at (203) 432-2292 or e-mail at dean.sakamoto@yale.edu.
The Art and Architecture Building will be closed for maintenance throughout the summer.
Media Contact
Dorie Baker: dorie.baker@yale.edu, 203-432-1345