Quote:
Originally Posted by ChiPhi
I think it is absolutely fair to say that Pelli "plays it safe" but I think the same could (and should) be said of BKL. This really isn't the place to get into such a discussion, but Chicago hasn't been the Vanguard of modern architecture for years and, as I live most of my time outside of Chicago, I will have you know that no one thinks of Chicago when they think of truly cutting edge architecture. For highrises, they think of NY or (more often) certain cities in Asia. And Gang's rise seems more questionable now than it did a few years ago. While Aqua was one of the best towers I have ever seen, people outside of Chicago simply don't talk about it all that much anymore. Moreover, some of her other things lack that ingenious simplicity that made Aqua so special imo. Plus, she really hasn't secured any commissions outside of the midwest either. We'll have to see if she really becomes the next big thing or is just a one trick pony.
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Note that I said "Chicago
had been at the vanguard of Modernism." I don't think anyone would argue that it still is.
IMO, the rest of your analysis is naive and ill-informed. It takes a long, long time to "make it" in the architecture world. It's even more difficult when you start to gain public attention as your domestic market almost collapses. The truth is that Jeanne Gang's practice has never been busier. As for that building, well, it was completed two years ago, so of course conversation about it has died down. When skyscrapers are being completed left and right across the developing world, I'm frankly surprised it got as much attention as it did. You're entitled to your opinion about the rest of her oeuvre, but I strongly disagree. The MacArthur Foundation would seem to, as well: This past fall, if you'll remember, they named her a "genius," only the fourth architect to receive that honor after 30 years and 800 recipients. Hard to think of a bigger vote of confidence than $500 grand, no strings attached.
I bring her up in this context because, like I said, it reminds me somewhat of Louis Sullivan/John Wellborn Root's ideas about the Columbian Exposition or the proposals by Eliel Saarinen and Walter Gropius for the Tribune Tower: the progressive but more radical possibility (Jeanne Gang and her avant-garde Chicago cohorts, or higher profile firms from elsewhere) is totally ignored in favor of the safe but mundane (Pelli). This is not how you boost the image of a city that has historically aspired (and achieved!) something much greater.
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