's New Museum is a freeze-dried packet of desiccated minimalism. It is in no way miraculous. We are in more trouble than I thought if this is the project that is supposed to restore faith in New York City or point the way toward the future of architecture. The most that can be said in its favor is that in the New Museum, as in the firm's other projects, SANAA raises provocative questions about the value of minimalism in architecture. The New Republic | previously 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
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One of the most thoughtful architectural critiques of a building ever written.
i've been somewhat baffled about the positive response to the new museum, but haven't been so i gave it a pass.
so why is it so celebrated but everyone's having such great sport with the 2 columbus circle project?
Because it is Sanaa?
Or because as he suggested it's minimalist design/build was a welcome change from the many other (to borrow a phrase from Orhan's Ne wCannibalist Manifesto) "extraordinary" musuem(s) that have been opened/expanded in recent years.
I am a gret admirer of SANAA's work and was looking forward to the opening of this building, however, after seeing the photos (have not been there in person) it is incredibly underwhelming. I think the criticism is right on but the better question is how did N. Ouroussoff, a shameless publicist for star architects, get on the NYTimes staff.
i never thought of that building as minimalist...it's iconographic with minimal detailing and articulation...
i enjoyed most of the review, but his conclusion did seem bitter...
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