Louis In St. Louis

I found out about a special museum exhibit featuring the works of Louis Sullivan and his protege, George Grant Elmslie on St. Louis Magazine's "At Home" website and I'm totally psyched! Follow the jump to get some in depth info regarding the exhibit and follow this link to read the full "At Home" article.

As mentioned in the "At Home" post:

"City Museum has captured the swan song of the Chicago School of Architecture in its final terra cotta ornament. This exhibit showcases original architectural pieces from the buildings of Louis Sullivan, considered the father of modern architecture, and George Grand Elmslie, who was Sullivan's chief draftsman for nearly twenty years and later an important architect in his own right.

Here for better understanding is a display of the evolution of the Chicago School, an architectural movement that began in the Midwest and influenced the world. It is considered by many to be the first truly American architecture, rejecting the European classics for the honesty of natural forms. Tim Samuelson, Cultural Historian for the City of Chicago, will be a guest speaker at the opening reception.

Many of the pieces exhibited are from three elementary schools in Hammond, Indiana, Elmslie's last great commission in 1935. The City of Hammond recognized the importance of preserving the elements from these buildings prior to their demolition and safeguarded them for prosperity. The mostly terra cotta ornament morphs the organic plant forms of Sullivan's triumphs with the stylized patterns of Art Deco. Also featured in this exhibit are selected Sullivan pieces and examples of mass-produced Sullivanesque terra cotta.

Bruce Gerrie, curator for the St. Louis Architectural Museum at City Museum, has brought together this collection with help from architect Laura Johnson."

When:
Friday, January 25, 6-9 pm
(on Display through December 2008)

Cost:
Opening reception free, afterwards included with $12 admission

Where:
City Museum's St. Louis Architectural Museum (third floor)
701 N. 15th Street
314-231-CITY

Comments

[Stef]

Thanks for the shout out, guys! I hope you make it to STL to see the show .... from what I hear, the Sullivan Collection at SIU-E is totally worth a trip if you decide to make the trip up here.