The art of architecture is revealed in local show
By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times
“Architectural Sketches: Building an Idea” opens this Friday, January 15 at The Oxford Art Alliance with an opening reception from 5-8pm. This exciting exhibition showcases the early stage architectural renderings of renown local architects Ed Rahme, Wayne Simpson and Todd Tully Danner.
Visit this exhibit January 15 – February 13, and join in an open “Architect’s Roundtable” discussion with the architects on Wednesday evening at 7pm, January 27th.
I talked with architect Wayne Simpson just after he had come home from hanging the “Architectural Sketches,” and I asked him about the show. He said, “I think it is fantastic!” and explained, “People don’t know what architects do. They think we draw buildings but really we design space around people.”
Wayne Simpson
Wayne continued, “Architecture is about thinking about how people use space, and sketches are the way architects organize their thoughts, through pencil and paper, a way to ideate and think visually…When people think of architectural drawings they think of those mechanical drawings that are designed to show a contractor how to build a building, but this exhibit is all of the early thinking” before the final vision comes together. This show is “Pulling back the curtain and showing what is not meant to be seen”.
“[Architectural] sketches are how we organize our thoughts…it is building an idea of a building–all the pre-stuff that moves through ideas and strings them together. The tool that we use is a cheap tracing paper – ‘bum-wad’ is what we called it in school–it is cheap– it has no value, and you throw it away. When I was designing at school, the floor was full of these tossed off sketches.” Because of the tradition of attaching worthlessness to these tossed off ideas, Wayne never kept any of them until a client pointed out how wonderful they were which inspired him to keep them. They are the evidence of that creative magic which eventually is turned into a building. Wordsworth said that poetry is “An overflow of powerful feelings, recollected in tranquility,” and for an architect these “bum-wads” are that overflow. What a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of an architect!
Ed Rahme
In my subsequent chat with architect Ed Rahme, Ed echoed Wayne’s enthusiasm for the show, and added that “it is very un-public what we do as architects, and this show also calls attention to the local architectural community.”
He describes the sketches as “brainstorming,” with images of “big concepts, details, aerial views” that all come together “beautifully.” Both of these successful local architects clearly have a passion for what they do, and while the final result must be very fulfilling, these sketches appear to remind them of the joy that brought them to the art of architecture. Ed’s most recent local project is a home designed for a retired couple that they want to be fully integrated with the latest green strategies that would completely generate even more power than it would consume, and use “different materials to express the building.” As he described his newest project, you could hear the passion and enthusiasm grow in his voice, and then he paused, adding “I like my buildings the way I like my people, honest.” For an honest look at the creative minds of three great local architects, check out this inventive show at Oxford Art Alliance this Friday.
Chester County Art Association’s first opening in the Bradford Gallery for the new year is aptly titled “Clean Slate,” it is a show that encourages artists to experiment with a new artistic medium, and to try something new or create something that you may have intended to create but never have had a chance to before.” There will be 6 prizes awarded. The reception for the “Clean Slate” opening is this Thursday, January 14th from 5-8pm. Also on January 14th at The Delaware Art Museum, is a day packed full of interesting art activities for everyone. From 4-6pm, families are invited to visit the galleries with a sketch pad and draw together, and then from 6-8pm there is a call for storytellers to share their stories out loud. Meanwhile, at 6:30 there is an informal discussion led by Curator Margaretta Frederick entitled, “Poetry in Beauty” about the life and art of Marie Spartali Stillman, who is featured in this month’s Pre-Raphaelite exhibit. There are so many interesting things happening at The Delaware Art Museum these days! “Sketch It!” events are every Thursday from 4-6pm.
While most of us do not think of Plein Air as an activity for the Winter, artist Randall Graham will be teaching “Plein Air with a Plan” through the Chester County Art Association on Wednesdays (10am-12:30) January 20-February 24th. Classes will meet at The Market at Liberty Place in Kennett Square or outdoors whenever possible. Writer Karen Myers will be doing an innovative “Plein Air Writer’s Workshop” at Galer Estate Winery January 24 from 1-5pm, using “place” as the source of inspiration for poetry, prose, lyrics or whatever one comes up with followed by a reading of the works and a prize at the end. For art classes, you can still sign up for Randall Graham’s class and so many other great Winter adult and youth art classes at Chester County Art Association, The Oxford Art Alliance, The Phoenix Village Art Center, Center for The Creative Arts in Yorklyn Delaware, and at The Willowdale Art Academy in Kennett Square. Just go onto their websites for some great opportunities to get creative.
