For Immediate Release: September 26, 2007
Media Contacts: Emma Filar, Marketing & Communications Associate
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Marcel Breuer Exhibition: News Release
National Building Museum Exclusive U.S. Venue for Retrospective of Breuer’s Work
WASHINGTON, DC—Marcel Breuer may not be a household name in the United States, but several works by this 20th-century architect and designer are in fact among the most widely recognized icons of modern design. His "Cesca" and "Wassily" chairs, for instance, with their characteristic tubular steel armatures, have become staples of contemporary living and working environments all over the world. By virtue of his innovative furniture alone, Breuer could be ranked among the most influential designers of the modernist period.
Breuer's significance, however, extends far beyond chairs and tables, as is evident from a new, comprehensive exhibition of his work, entitled Marcel Breuer: Design and Architecture. This retrospective of Breuer's prolific and varied career offers a balanced exploration of his furniture, interiors, and buildings, revealing that he was a powerful force in the architectural theory and practice of his era. Organized by the Vitra Design Museum in Germany, the exhibition has been touring Europe since 2002 and makes its exclusive North American stop at the National Building Museum from November 3, 2007 through February 17, 2008.
The exhibition opens with a section entitled Materials, which chronicles Breuer's use of various materials—most notably tubular steel—in his furniture design. Featuring more than 50 original pieces, as well as drawings and photographs of his designs, this section reveals his explorations in solid wood, steel, aluminum, and even plywood.
Breuer's architectural works are presented in three sections: Houses, Spaces, and Volumes. The Houses component includes examples of the often modest yet consistently innovative single-family houses that brought him critical acclaim; Spaces presents Breuer's four churches as examples of his masterful manipulation of structure and light; and Volumes offers a corollary analysis of his compositional skill. Twelve large-scale models of his buildings, along with drawings, floor plans, photographs, video projections, and digital media, help to illustrate the scope of Breuer's architectural legacy.
The exhibition closes with a section entitled Motifs, which presents central elements and themes in Breuer's designs. Throughout his career, Breuer experimented with and reinterpreted motifs such as protrusion, horizontal bands, and reclining rectangles in his furniture and architectural designs.
The presentation of Marcel Breuer: Design and Architecture at the National Building Museum is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts; Vitra USA; Deborah Berke & Partners Architects LLP; Perkins + Will; and other generous contributors.
Marcel Breuer: Design and Architecture is complemented by a 448-page catalogue featuring illustrations of Breuer's architecture and furniture and essays from leading architects and scholars who worked with or have been inspired by his work. The book will be available in the Museum shop and through the Museum's website.
In conjunction with this exhibition and the upcoming exhibition, Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future, the National Building Museum is launching a series of events exploring the legacy of modernism and current preservation efforts of modernist architecture. While details are still being finalized, proposed events include a presentation on the work of Marcel Breuer by MoMa curator Barry Bergdoll, tours of local buildings designed by Marcel Breuer and Eero Saarinen, and a program on preserving modernist buildings. Please visit www.www.nbm.org regularly for up-to-date information on related programming.
The Vitra Design Museum ranks among the most prominent design museums worldwide. Housed in a building created by Californian architect Frank Gehry, Vitra Design Museum first opened its doors to the public in 1989. The many faceted program of the museum focuses upon the research and presentation of historical and contemporary developments in industrial furniture design and related fields of study. Temporary exhibitions explore design topics within the various contexts of architecture, the fine arts, society and non-western cultures. The design and architecture exhibitions of Vitra Design Museum are shown internationally in renowned partner museums. The Museum Collection of furniture is certainly one of the most important of its kind. Vitra Design Museum also holds workshops for school children and students. Furthermore, the Museum publishes exhibition catalogues and produces miniature models of classic furniture designs and authentic re-editions of historical designs. Further information on www.design-museum.de.
The National Building Museum is America’s leading cultural institution dedicated to advancing the quality of the built environment by educating people about its impact on their lives. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, online content, and publications, the Museum has become a vital forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the world we build for ourselves. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Twitter: @BuildingMuseum and Facebook.
