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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

NY Times Not Fan of New Barnes Design

The New York Times architecture critic today takes a hard look at the design plans for the new museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway which will house the famous Barnes Collection -- and isn't impressed. Nicolai Ouroussoff says the slick new design lacks the eccentric charm of the Merion mansion where the collection has lived for decades. Here's an excerpt:

But the result is a convoluted design. Almost every detail seems to ache from the strain of trying to preserve the spirit of the original building in a very different context. The failure to do so, despite such an earnest effort, is the strongest argument yet for why the Barnes should not be moved in the first place.

To read the entire article click here.
Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 10:16 AM  Permalink | 6 comments
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:05 AM, 10/07/2009
    Can anyone really be surprised after reviewing the design? What they came up with is so boring and uninspiring. The design simply doesn't fit as well.
    — NickFromGermantown
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:09 PM, 10/07/2009
    Ouroussoff's review is one of the most elitist, culturally condescending pieces I've ever read. He actually suggests that masterpieces of the kind contained in the Barnes Collection ought to be hidden away in remote, difficult to reach places so that only those who are educated enough to appreciate them and make the great effort to visit them will have access to them. He refers to the Barnes' current location as providing a good "screening system" ... discouraging those with only a casual interest in the arts. Fortunately, the Barnes Foundation board sees things differently, and they understand that these works are part of our collective human heritage, belonging to all of us, not just to a small cultural elite.
    — TF
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:42 PM, 10/07/2009
    Everybody can get to Merion TF, the only limits are those placed on Admission by the current Board of Barnes Foundation Trustees. It is the current Board that's been in charge for seven years they haven't allowed walk-ups and haven't done MUCH OF ANYTHING to promote The Barnes in Merion. It is the current Trustees that have deprived a generation of students exposure to the Barnes in Merion. But this move isn't about accessibility is it? Isn't this Move really about generational enmity of the Philadelphia Elite against a poor Kensington kid made good, Albert Barnes. How dare a poor kid from Kensington know more about Beauty and Art than them? If this move was about accessibiity and knowledge they would have went with a Barnes Orientation Center on the Parkway which would have better taught about our collective human artistic heritage while preserving one of the most important parts of our American heritage, The Barnes in Merion. At a Barnes Orientation Center they could have interactive displays of all of the works of Cezanne, Matisse & Renoir instead of the few at the Barnes. That would give kids a sophisticated eye to understand what they were looking at in an historical context before they ever got to The Barnes in Merion. Also, you know what the greatest Art is in Merion? It isn't what's in the Galleries but what Laura Barnes & Joseph Wilson created with God's help in the Garden & Arboretum: That's what all the pro Move oafs don't understand. -The true artist knows that all human art pales next to God's great gift of nature and you Pro Move people are trading your kids' futures away from ever having that harmonious Merion experience of art, architecture and serene Nature. Philly has no vision and no cultural or educational integrity. Teach your kids how to steal from a dead man - way cool.
    — RR
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:51 PM, 10/08/2009
    Ouroussoff IS one of the most elitist, condescending pieces. I consider any criticism from people like him a very good thing. He's just a cynic, bitter over the fact that Philly's going to be showcasing another museum that rivals some of New York's.
    — Philatonian
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:07 PM, 10/08/2009
    Philatonian - The New Barnes is the laughingstock of the art world: its not just the New York Times. You people HAD a greater Museum than any in the world in The Barnes In Merion, but you didn't know what to do with it and you are letting a bunch of silver spoon Rich People destroy It. I can't believe that any self-respecting donor would want their name on this cultural farce. By the way, has New York moved all Its Museums to Central Park? No, because they have more integrity than that. One of its neatest museums is in Brooklyn. I hate Philly's inferiority complex - they even got New York designers for the Move Building. Cret was Philly's architect but you people want to sh*tcan his memory don't you? I want to know why Ed Rendell promised $30mn in tax money to this Comcast-backed Move while he was getting a paycheck for commenting on Eagles games for Comcast. Aileen Roberts is the building committe chairman on The Barnes Board and her husband, surprise, surprise, runs Comcast. Why isn't the FBI investigating this relationship for potential violations of the State Ethics and adverse interest laws?
    — RR


6 comments
About The Philly Clout Team
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Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
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Catherine Lucey
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