Together with Loewenstein
The exhibit “Close to Home” featuring Edward Loewenstein, was an experience shaped by the idea of bringing together. This also happens to be my interpretation of the concept for this exhibit.
At first observation, it caught my eye through the glass of the gallery. As I enter the space, I was a bit overwhelmed by the actual size of the exhibit but once I was in there, I got a better sense of scale. The exhibit was very well lit due to the strategically placed track lighting. I had no problem seeing exhibit here unlike some which are so dimly lit that it makes it very hard to see the exhibit. As for the layout of the exhibit itself, I really like the idea of the diagonal wall piercing through the glass wall “reaching out” beyond the gallery. This alone adds great deal of character to the exhibit. Loewenstein’s residential work was greatly taken into consideration when designing this exhibit because the exhibit expresses the same openness allowing one to bring together spaces. There was also a mimic of a feature Loewenstein had on one of his houses. It was the wall sloping inward as well as the roof sloping up. He also used a rich palette of materials, which was also done here with the two very contrasting materials featured in the exhibit, metal and wood. I really enjoyed seeing that materials used are reusable and the finishes used are low impact. Another reason is because his layouts were often very open and had a sense of fluidity to them such as this one does as one moves through the space. The layout of the exhibit pushes you through the space from one end to the other. I believe this is done so one has to experience the entire exhibit as they move through.
As I analyzed the exhibit and really thought about a connection, it occurred to me that my concept was very active in this space because the material did in fact manifest the concept of bringing together. The whole idea of the exhibit is to bring Loewenstein and his work together with us, thus bringing the idea of modernism close to home. Also, the physical exhibit itself has the concept of bringing together. The materials were designed to literally come together to create a way to display exhibit. These “display units” were acting as exhibits themselves.
I also analyzed the different types of media and how he displayed. I think the computers were a great way to break up the way to display the exhibit. This helps one to interact with the exhibit in a way that one would feel they really received something out of it. I think that really helps give a positive experience. I also really enjoyed the way the 3-D renderings were handled. I got more out of the projected walk through of the plan more than I would have if certain scenes where printed. I think that was a very ingenious way to display that type of media.
This exhibit was a great reference to Edward Loewenstein and his work. It brought together the idea of modernism in Greensboro and Loewenstein. I feel the concept of bringing together fits this exhibit in every way possible.
