Comments on: Marcel Breuer retrospective at the Museum of Design Atlanta and the Central Library http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/ Reviews and news about the arts in Atlanta Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:06:26 +0000 hourly 1 By: ktauches http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/comment-page-1/#comment-214 ktauches Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:33:15 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/04/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/#comment-214 Thank god for the "downturn," as it may save this valuable building from destruction. This fine Breuer exhibition is a testament to it's importance. And, perhaps it's preservation can turn the tide for other endangered local Modernist beauties ( R.I.P. 615 Peachtree St building! ). ( I, too, love the idea of Breuer's building being repurposed as a museum. Gosh, the staircases are still so lovely, in all their 70s glory! ) Thank god for the “downturn,” as it may save this valuable building from destruction. This fine Breuer exhibition is a testament to it’s importance. And, perhaps it’s preservation can turn the tide for other endangered local Modernist beauties ( R.I.P. 615 Peachtree St building! ).

( I, too, love the idea of Breuer’s building being repurposed as a museum. Gosh, the staircases are still so lovely, in all their 70s glory! )

]]> By: Scott Ingram http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/comment-page-1/#comment-118 Scott Ingram Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:35:12 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/04/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/#comment-118 I love to hear people talking about making this building an art or design venue. It is one of Atlanta's modern treasures, even if most see it as a tin cup. I am very interested in what the next step might be. Thanks Cathy, keep up the good work. i'm also glad to see your comments growing. I love to hear people talking about making this building an art or design venue. It is one of Atlanta’s modern treasures, even if most see it as a tin cup. I am very interested in what the next step might be.
Thanks Cathy, keep up the good work. i’m also glad to see your comments growing.

]]> By: american steel buildings http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/comment-page-1/#comment-117 american steel buildings Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:07:51 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/04/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/#comment-117 The buildings are fabulous here. American steel buildings have contemporary style with durability. Customers imagination is american steel buildings creation. The buildings are fabulous here. American steel buildings have contemporary style with durability.
Customers imagination is american steel buildings creation.

]]> By: Terry http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/comment-page-1/#comment-116 Terry Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:58:52 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/04/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/#comment-116 This keeps coming to my mind: The downtown streets seemed to die with the MARTA tunnels. MARTA construction disrupted streets and walkways. There were routes you just couldn't walk for years. When complete, the thousands of folks who would have been the streets twice a day changing buses went underground, never again connecting with downtown streets. It was noisy, smelly, crowded, alive, and exciting. This keeps coming to my mind: The downtown streets seemed to die with the MARTA tunnels. MARTA construction disrupted streets and walkways. There were routes you just couldn’t walk for years.
When complete, the thousands of folks who would have been the streets twice a day changing buses went underground, never again connecting with downtown streets.
It was noisy, smelly, crowded, alive, and exciting.

]]> By: DOCOMOMO Georgia http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/comment-page-1/#comment-115 DOCOMOMO Georgia Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:05:35 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/04/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/#comment-115 Indeed urban and social issues have taken a toll. But look at the Boston Library, for example. They acknowledge that they have a homeless and loitering problem - but they also have art exhibitions, exhibitions based on Library collections, and a great & popular place for lunch. All destinations for a wide audience. Why not here? Hosting of the Breuer exhibition is an admirable start. Parking is always an issue in Atlanta. But there are hundreds of parking spaces available within a block of the Library that are often empty at night and on weekends. Why not some sort of discounted/incentivized parking arrangement for library patrons (perhaps through tax incentives, corporate or foundation sponsorship, etc.)? Parking facility operators would likely welcome more evening and weekend customers, even at a discounted rate. The Delectables restaurant is legendary among downtowners - and BPJ's story of its closing is oft repeated. Why not a destination restaurant in the Library? Unfortunately, if homeless patrons' ability to dine in the facility is the measure, nothing will succeed. And why isn't the Margaret Mitchell collection promoted to convention attendees and properly displayed? The user experience needs some work, to say the least! Maybe time to think out of the box? Indeed urban and social issues have taken a toll. But look at the Boston Library, for example. They acknowledge that they have a homeless and loitering problem – but they also have art exhibitions, exhibitions based on Library collections, and a great & popular place for lunch. All destinations for a wide audience. Why not here? Hosting of the Breuer exhibition is an admirable start.
Parking is always an issue in Atlanta. But there are hundreds of parking spaces available within a block of the Library that are often empty at night and on weekends. Why not some sort of discounted/incentivized parking arrangement for library patrons (perhaps through tax incentives, corporate or foundation sponsorship, etc.)? Parking facility operators would likely welcome more evening and weekend customers, even at a discounted rate.
The Delectables restaurant is legendary among downtowners – and BPJ’s story of its closing is oft repeated. Why not a destination restaurant in the Library? Unfortunately, if homeless patrons’ ability to dine in the facility is the measure, nothing will succeed. And why isn’t the Margaret Mitchell collection promoted to convention attendees and properly displayed?
The user experience needs some work, to say the least! Maybe time to think out of the box?

]]> By: BPJ http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/comment-page-1/#comment-114 BPJ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:37:18 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/04/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/#comment-114 Whenever I went to the restaurant (Delectables, which was excellent), it was doing great business. I was told at the time it closed that the library kicked them out because the staff complained that the restaurant was pricy for the workers; the plan was to open a cafeteria for the staff, which of course never happened............speaking of "bad management decisions". Whenever I went to the restaurant (Delectables, which was excellent), it was doing great business. I was told at the time it closed that the library kicked them out because the staff complained that the restaurant was pricy for the workers; the plan was to open a cafeteria for the staff, which of course never happened…………speaking of “bad management decisions”.

]]> By: Cathy Fox http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Cathy Fox Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:16:49 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/04/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/#comment-113 Agreed. Don't you think that urban and social issues have exacerbated the situation you describe? The entrance is barren to discourage the homeless from settling in. Downtown restaurants have a tough time anywhere, especially a place tucked away in a basement. Lack of free parking is a deterrent. (I know; People can take MARTA, but most won't, especially at night.) Knotty problem. Cathy Cathy Agreed.
Don’t you think that urban and social issues have exacerbated the situation you describe?
The entrance is barren to discourage the homeless from settling in.
Downtown restaurants have a tough time anywhere, especially a place tucked away in a basement. Lack of free parking is a deterrent. (I know; People can take MARTA, but most won’t, especially at night.)
Knotty problem.
Cathy
Cathy

]]> By: DOCOMOMO Georgia http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/comment-page-1/#comment-112 DOCOMOMO Georgia Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:01:25 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/04/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/#comment-112 Thanks for the post and the observations about the Library, Catherine. As the merits and fate of the building have been discussed over the past year, it occurs to us that many negative comments about the Central Library are related to bad management decisions made during the past decade or so. These unfortunate decisions are now associated with the style and form of the building. Examples - why has all activity on the main street level been removed; why was the restaurant closed, leaving the basement largely abandoned, leading some to describe the basement as a 'cave'; why isn't the auditorium fully utilized; why aren't significant items in the library's collections made more accessible? The list goes on. If such concerns were to be addressed, public opinion would be improved. Regardless, I think this type of discussion is very important. Perhaps the combination of economic and political forces have granted us more time to debate the fate of Breuer's last building. Thanks for the post and the observations about the Library, Catherine.
As the merits and fate of the building have been discussed over the past year, it occurs to us that many negative comments about the Central Library are related to bad management decisions made during the past decade or so. These unfortunate decisions are now associated with the style and form of the building.
Examples – why has all activity on the main street level been removed; why was the restaurant closed, leaving the basement largely abandoned, leading some to describe the basement as a ‘cave’; why isn’t the auditorium fully utilized; why aren’t significant items in the library’s collections made more accessible? The list goes on. If such concerns were to be addressed, public opinion would be improved.
Regardless, I think this type of discussion is very important. Perhaps the combination of economic and political forces have granted us more time to debate the fate of Breuer’s last building.

]]> By: James R. Oxendine http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/comment-page-1/#comment-111 James R. Oxendine Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:25:02 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/04/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/#comment-111 Great story line here. The question now becomes how to use the historical/ artistic significance of the structure to create a viable cultural asset in Atlanta's still struggling downtown? The museum idea has a great deal of merit and possibility.Perhaps the MODA; SCAD and The Portman cos. could collaborate to transform the structure into Atlanta's Tate Modern.Of course this approach would require that the local governing bodies become partners in both the re -programing and the search for and financing of a new site. A long term project to be sure but now is the time to plan in order to capitalize on the opportunity when conditions are more favorable. Great story line here. The question now becomes how to use the historical/ artistic significance of the structure to create a viable cultural asset in Atlanta’s still struggling downtown?
The museum idea has a great deal of merit and possibility.Perhaps the MODA; SCAD and The Portman cos. could collaborate to transform the structure into Atlanta’s Tate Modern.Of course this approach would require that the local governing bodies become partners in both the re -programing and the search for and financing of a new site.
A long term project to be sure but now is the time to plan in order to capitalize on the opportunity when conditions are more favorable.

]]> By: Terry http://www.artscriticatl.com/2009/11/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Terry Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:34:12 +0000 http://www.artscriticatl.com/indextest.php/2009/11/04/marcel-breuer-retrospective-at-the-museum-of-design-atlanta-and-the-central-library/#comment-110 I walk by the Breuer twice a week. I must say the exterior looks better in person, far better I think, than it looks in any pictures. I prefer glimpses of the building. Walking north on Broad is, to me, the best view, probably because I can't see all the crazy stuff at once. "...the lack of fondness for the building." is about as gentle as it's been said. The irony: "The issue of submitting to the vagaries of fashion remains, however. Remembering the many bulldozed buildings that we now mourn." The vagary of fashion is probably the Breuer. I hope that "current values of street-friendliness and openness" have have won out over "forbidding." As a taxpayer I wouldn't vote a dime to replace the Breuer. Let's keep it. I walk by the Breuer twice a week. I must say the exterior looks better in person, far better I think, than it looks in any pictures. I prefer glimpses of the building. Walking north on Broad is, to me, the best view, probably because I can’t see all the crazy stuff at once.
“…the lack of fondness for the building.” is about as gentle as it’s been said. The irony: “The issue of submitting to the vagaries of fashion remains, however. Remembering the many bulldozed buildings that we now mourn.” The vagary of fashion is probably the Breuer.
I hope that “current values of street-friendliness and openness” have have won out over “forbidding.”
As a taxpayer I wouldn’t vote a dime to replace the Breuer. Let’s keep it.

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