‘Ornament Is’ an Exhibit Designed to Keep Idea of Decoration Alive
Few have loathed architectural ornamentation as much as Alfred Loos. In fact, in his 1908 book Ornament and Crime, the Austrian architect suggested that anything other than the modern purism the Austrian architect espoused was a criminal act. The book stands as an antithetical artifact in an exhibit called Ornament Is, one designed to keep decoration alive. Curated by Stephen Wierzbowski, FAIA, and Josh Mings, AIA, the exposition features the works of recorders (drawings, paintings, watercolors, photographs) as well as creators (including furniture, macquettes, reliefs, sculpture as well as digitally and AI produced objects). It is on the fourth floor of the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago, with a special viewing on Thursday for AIA members. CAB 5—the Chicago Architecture Biennale–is a cosponsor. The show’s virtual component at www.ornamentis.org will continue after the close. The show’s premise: “The world loves ornaments. We delight in them. We preserve them. We marvel …
Log in to Continue Reading
