We first wrote about modern architecture in New England back in our first AT post and we'd like to make it a regular thing. In a town where the standard visual is red brick townhouses and bay windows, we'd like to highlight some of the buildings and homes in the area that inspire us with more contemporary taste, like Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)...
Located in Boston's Fan Pier, the ICA opened in December 2006 and was the the first new art museum built in Boston in almost 100 years. The museum sits on the edge of the water with an 80 foot cantilever extending over the 47-mile harbor walk which runs along the entire length of Boston Harbor. Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, (their first major built work) this is Elizabeth Diller's explination of the design:
"The design of the ICA negotiates between two competing objectives: to perform as a dynamic civic building filled with public and social activities, and as a contemplative space providing individual visitors with intimate experiences with contemporary art. The "public" building is built from the ground up; the "intimate" building, from the sky down."
The public portion is defined by the wood decking of the harbor walk wrapping up to define exterior seating (where we've been known to take our lunch), extending into the building like a ribbon folding up and defining the stage before terminating on the bottom of the cantilever. The sky element of the building which makes up the gallery space is defined by a translucent channel glass box with a panoramic window looking over the harbor.
Our favorite space is the media gallery that hangs down from the cantilever creating a forced view of the water stripping all other elements away from the view, including the horizon, like a living mural. Diller describes these moments in this way: "The building is a visual tease, almost like porn. We wanted to distribute the view in small doses."
Opening to mixed architectural reviews, the ICA doesn't make the greatest first-impression with its main entrance facade looking into a sea of parking lots and chain link fences. To their credit there is meant to be a lot of development on the surrounding site but the ICA is the only project that went forward and it looks as if D S+R put all their effort in the harbor side facade. While the building is easy to criticize in details the impact of it on the Boston architecture and art scene has been immense and definitely makes it worth a visit.
These beautiful photographs were taken by the architectural photographer Iwan Baan before the building opened.
What better time to visit than during the upcoming exhibition of Tara Donavan's work, opening on October 10th.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I love that computer room! It is amazingly cool! I had to be dragged out of it when I visited.
view KetchupFiend's profile
Just remember who owns the first building you posted when you talk about the "standard visual" for Boston. :-)
view michpc's profile
love the ica... the posting-as-a-couple, not so much.
view mr754's profile
by looking at the computer room photo, i can't make sense of it...and it makes me feel incredibly clausterphobic.
view dM's profile
Although my architect-friends had trashed this building for its detailing and appropriation of others' work, I was keeping an open mind when I first visited it last fall. True, the most stand-out space is the computer room, but alas, it actually made me feel seasick and claustrophobic -- an odd sensation for a site that offers opportunity for such great views. I love the work of Roni Horn, whose photographs capture details of water in movement much as this window does. But somehow this view didn't work for me at all. Also, when I was there, the computers only allowed access to info on the museum. Why bother? Hopefully, the museum is programming it better now.
The upstairs galleries were so-so. But Tara Donovan will be great there or anywhere.
view valleygurrl's profile
I would love to go there and take photos but you aren't allowed to take them in much of the museum (at least according to the web site--don't know if there is enforcement). After paying $12 admission I'd at least like to be able to take a few pix of some of these spaces and views.
view Charlotte's profile
Skip the $12 admission and go on Thursday nights, when the museum is free (thanks Target!).
I went for the first time back in August and I'm planning on making it a regular Thursday night outing. I loved the views, the architecture, the atmosphere...I'll be back!!
view Sarah G's profile