“This gradually unfolding sense of discovery, which emphasizes the movement of the viewer through space rather than a single "wow" image, stems from an axiom Holl learned as a student: A building should be a lot more when you go into it than when you first look at it…One caveat: With the [Nelson-Atkins] museum not yet open, it is impossible to tell if Holl's merging of circulation pathways and gallery space will disturb the contemplative experience of viewing art.” Chicago Tribune | Photo Gallery
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From the photos I have to say, I'm very impressed with the building's interiors. They look soft and meditative. and the nightime views are beautiful - I wonder if ALL the lights are ALWAYS on for prescribed nighttime hours? And how long until they start changing the color of the bulbs to the reflect the colors of the current holiday, local sports team, etc. (hopefully never)?
I'll second that wish about the light colour. Although I have seen Turrell-like installations before in an urban setting that were quite riveting. Of course the scenario I'm referring to used a fairly wide gamut from the visible colour spectrum and modulated it ever so slowly.
The New Yorker slide show
I must say, after a preview tour in March, that this building is actually better in person than any the sexy archi-porn images. As the critic say, it unfolds as you move through it as an exercise in discovery.....and it doesn't disappoint. A true complement to the Nelson-Atkin's Museum Collection.
Thanks for weighing in rclarke - it's so good to hear from someone who has actually been to the building!
I never really got the beef some people seem to have with Holl. I think we love to tear apart "starchitects" so much (often very deservedly) that sometimes we expect far too much of them. I do think that with the opportunities they have come greater responsibilities and expectations, but they are fallible and subject to (nearly) all the same restrictions as the rest of the field. And of all the big names, I think Holl has been largely successful and this building looks beautiful and I think it appears spatially and experientially very interesting. From what I can see.
I'm going there in two weeks. I can't wait to check it out!
@FrankLloydMike....
One of the biggest restrictions a "starchitect" doesn't have is: a limited budget!!! Therefore it is justified to expect a lot of them...
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