While reading about the woman chosen to design the new Sheldon, I couldn't help but notice that there's often a disconnect between the sort of architecture that architects and artists love, and the sort that average Joes love. It's not a perfect relationship -- some buildings are universally reviled as ugly, while others are (nearly) universally loved for their beauty. But there's definitely some kind of relationship there.
I suppose that's true of all art. There are plenty of famous artistic works that few average Joes would fawn over if they didn't know they were supposed to fawn over them. The Mona Lisa comes to mind.
In any event, I can't wait for the new museum's design to be revealed. I predict Lincolnites will be aghast at the site of it. "It's completely contradictory to the Haymarket's character!" they (we?) will shout. The letters to the editor in the Journal Star will be filled with diatribes about the pointlessness of contemporary art, and then by counter-diatribes about the boorish, backwards ways of Nebraskans (and so on). It will be quite a show.
Come to think of it, I'm going to be devastated if the designers have come up with something that doesn't offend at least a few sensibilities. Arguably they will have failed if they don't stir up at least a tiny tempest. You must have to be a bit of a sadomasochist to be a prominent architect; you've got to be willing to piss off others and you must be willing and able to take the resulting heat. That sounds like the start of some grad student's dissertation.
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I just googled her - google images - and all I can say is “WOW!”
Amazing stuff. This should be very exciting.
I just did as well at your suggestion. This should be very cool.
I can’t wait to see the design, should be very cool and help fill up some of those hotels!
It looks like we’ll have another situation where a building will stick out amongst its surroundings like a sore thumb. Which, if done in the name of ‘art’ is apparently just fine and excitement-inducing. But if you’re a business that wants to make money and create jobs, it’s completely unacceptable.
You’re kidding, right?
This is quite likely to be a building that people come to see the building, not just what’s inside.
Sore thumbs? How about the Holiday Inn, on campus the lovely Oldfather Hall and the ultimate - the Windstream building with its lovely fluorescent green tower obscuring the view of the Capitol.
They can choose to build in a location not subject to a master plan. Just like you can choose an employer with a different dress code.
Architecture should, oftentimes, consider its surroundings when being created. In the case of museums, however, the buildings themselves are part of the exhibit, so it’s not surprising that architects push the envelope when designing them.
I can’t wait to see the plans. How many opportunities does a community have to make a splash like this?
Imagine how big an uproar there was when the current state capitol’s design was unveiled?
I’m just happy to see this kind of investment taking place in a fashion that isn’t a metal building with a brick facade.
There is a debate among historical preservationists when new buildings are put in historic districts. Often if you try and recreate the feeling of the area with a new building you get a very phony feeling structure.
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