The newest addition to the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) results in a modern wing, built in 2009, that contrasts with the rest of the building, which is a bit more classical. Not only can this be seen on the outside but also visitors can follow the transition on the inside through the design and detail that the architect highlights throughout the structure. Through the design and detail of the new wing you get a sharp sensation of the modern feel through very clean straight lines that often form rectangular shapes. The detail displayed above is a perfect example of the expression of the UMMA’s new wing. Here you have three panes of transparent glass held together by a rectangular metal joint. This detail creates a visually pleasing door that allows visitors to pass between the common area into the gallery. The glass creates a boundary to let you know you are entering into a new space but also doesn’t hold anything back from a visual perspective. The three panes of glass while looking delicate and cleanly divided by a vertical line and a horizontal one, are held together by this tough looking metal joint, likely stainless steel. The metal is also very crisp and clean much like the glass it supports. This material is used or imitated throughout the new wing in combination with the glass to give the entire wing a strong delicate modern feel. This particular detail is comprised of two parts, and L-shaped piece and rectangular piece, creating a single rectangular shape when the door is closed. Within the detail we also have two more straight lines, one vertical and one horizontal, further capturing the theme. This detail not only works with the glass to create this theme but also fits perfectly with the white ceiling and walls. The color white is almost used as a material all in itself as it emphasizes the clean delicate yet powerful structure. I believe the detail, and theme, provide propose the idea that the art hosted within the new wing is important, precious, powerful and gives new meaning to the museum as a whole.
When one thinks of modern architecture, you get an image of smooth, linear, and precise details. With the technology present today architects have an incredibly strong tool kit to use in order to create their exact desires. This causes details to become more important than ever in order to differentiate one work from another, or to convey a specific meaning. According to Mies van der Rohe, "God lies in the details" (Frascari 1). These details created in the new wing of the UMMA separate them from the older part. The precise vertical and horizontal lines, along with the glass, wood, and stainless steel, create an extremely new, refreshing sense when entering the new wing. They greatly contrast the stone used in the old wing. The detail we chose was a rectangular, metal joint which holds 3 panes of glass together (one of which is the door). This is a great detail to look at due to its shape, material, positioning, and size. First of all, it follows the rest of the new additions theme which is the straight, vertical and horizontal lines. It is a L-shaped piece and a smaller rectangle which fit together in order to create one large rectangle. Also, the fact that it is stainless steel creates a "modern" feel. It is very small, precise, and is able to successfully hold the glass panes together. These glass panes and doorway are part of a large glass wall before you enter a showcase room. They allow you to enter a room containing art, while it is art in itself. The new wing is basically a large work of art built off of the older portion. Not only does this joint function well, it helps to create the very modern aura given off when viewing the building as a whole. The stainless steel joint perfectly complements the glass panes, and allows this detail to be very powerful.
The newest addition to the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) results in a modern wing, built in 2009, that contrasts with the rest of the building, which is a bit more classical. Not only can this be seen on the outside but also visitors can follow the transition on the inside through the design and detail that the architect highlights throughout the structure. Through the design and detail of the new wing you get a sharp sensation of the modern feel through very clean straight lines that often form rectangular shapes. The detail displayed above is a perfect example of the expression of the UMMA’s new wing. Here you have three panes of transparent glass held together by a rectangular metal joint. This detail creates a visually pleasing door that allows visitors to pass between the common area into the gallery. The glass creates a boundary to let you know you are entering into a new space but also doesn’t hold anything back from a visual perspective. The three panes of glass while looking delicate and cleanly divided by a vertical line and a horizontal one, are held together by this tough looking metal joint, likely stainless steel. The metal is also very crisp and clean much like the glass it supports. This material is used or imitated throughout the new wing in combination with the glass to give the entire wing a strong delicate modern feel. This particular detail is comprised of two parts, and L-shaped piece and rectangular piece, creating a single rectangular shape when the door is closed. Within the detail we also have two more straight lines, one vertical and one horizontal, further capturing the theme. This detail not only works with the glass to create this theme but also fits perfectly with the white ceiling and walls. The color white is almost used as a material all in itself as it emphasizes the clean delicate yet powerful structure. I believe the detail, and theme, provide propose the idea that the art hosted within the new wing is important, precious, powerful and gives new meaning to the museum as a whole.
ReplyDeleteWhen one thinks of modern architecture, you get an image of smooth, linear, and precise details. With the technology present today architects have an incredibly strong tool kit to use in order to create their exact desires. This causes details to become more important than ever in order to differentiate one work from another, or to convey a specific meaning. According to Mies van der Rohe, "God lies in the details" (Frascari 1). These details created in the new wing of the UMMA separate them from the older part. The precise vertical and horizontal lines, along with the glass, wood, and stainless steel, create an extremely new, refreshing sense when entering the new wing. They greatly contrast the stone used in the old wing.
ReplyDeleteThe detail we chose was a rectangular, metal joint which holds 3 panes of glass together (one of which is the door). This is a great detail to look at due to its shape, material, positioning, and size. First of all, it follows the rest of the new additions theme which is the straight, vertical and horizontal lines. It is a L-shaped piece and a smaller rectangle which fit together in order to create one large rectangle. Also, the fact that it is stainless steel creates a "modern" feel. It is very small, precise, and is able to successfully hold the glass panes together. These glass panes and doorway are part of a large glass wall before you enter a showcase room. They allow you to enter a room containing art, while it is art in itself. The new wing is basically a large work of art built off of the older portion. Not only does this joint function well, it helps to create the very modern aura given off when viewing the building as a whole. The stainless steel joint perfectly complements the glass panes, and allows this detail to be very powerful.