Cleveland Goes Modern || Design for the Home 1930 - 1970

Cleveland Goes Modern
Design for the Home
1930 - 1970
September 10th - November 24th, 2007
Cleveland Artists Foundation at the Beck Center for the Arts
17801 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44107-3413
Phone: 216.227.9507
Fax: 216 228 6050

Mostly visible in large corporate of public structures the Modernist movement has also explored the more intimate and playful palatte of the common home. This exhibition, currently running at the Beck Center, aknowledges some of the modern movements influence was represented in works of Cleveland architects.

The bulk of the display concentrates on the work of six local architects, Don Hisaka, John Terence Kelly, Robert Little, William Morris, Ernst Payer and Fred Toguchi and offers a small collection of exploration into how the technology and idealogy of the modern movement personal meant.

Not just another progression of display pieces, the exhibit offers a glimpse into the personal evolution if one is willing to delve deep enough. The response to siting and the new sense of personal freedom and independence characterizes bold moves from material selection to furniture layout and shows a rather interesting contrast to the homogenity of the typical mid to late 1900's domicle design.

Throughout the running of the current show there will be a series of forum based conversations from some of Northeast Ohio's prevelant designers.

Thursday September 20th
6 - 8pm
The History of Modernism in Cleveland
How did Modernism come about, and how did it show up in Cleveland? A conversation on the history of the "aesthetic" of Modernism. At Cleveland Artists Foundation. Free and open to the public.

Thursday, October 18th
6 - 8 pm
Building Modern from the Architect's Standpoint
What was it like designing a "Modern" home in Cleveland during the mid-20th century? A conversation coordinated by Peter van Dijk and Richard Fleischman, with special guest architect Don Hisaka.

Thursday, November 15th
6 - 8 pm
Building Modern from the Client's Standpoint
What was it like commissioning an architect to build a "Modern" home? A conversation moderated by Nina Gibans, with Ted Welles (commissioned Fred Toguchi), Scott Inkley (commissioned Ernst Payer), and Douglas McDonald (commissioned John Terence Kelly).

All conversations take place at Cleveland Artists Foundation and are free and open to the public.

There are also a plethora of home tours available. Registration required.

Also: if you can find it, there was a packet for the Cleveland Goes Modern - Historical and Cultural Notes laying on the back table which provided an interesting primer for the show.