Foster + Partners: Architecture of Light and Space at SDMA

by Patricia Frischer

Mary Axe Building - AKA The Gherkin, London

Lord Norman Foster is a bit more well known outside of the USA and this became evident why to me in viewing the  architectural models on view at the San Diego Museum Art of Art in Balboa Park. The exhibition Foster + Partners: Architecture of Light and Space is such a fun way to get to know the work of the team that is responsible for so many innovations, especially in sustainability. The American models are very conservative compared to those in Europe and the Far and Middle east.

I know his work from the relatively new gherkin i.e. pickle shaped office building that went up not too far from the Tate Modern in London, actually called the Mary Axe. But I really loved what he did at the British Museum by completely re-conceptualizing the library there and opening up the courtyard that house it, into a light filled space that is grand but also in keeping with the existing building.

I can’t say as much for the plans for the addition to the San Diego Museum of Art. Yes, it will be an enormous extra space for art and gathering. But there is not even one nod to the architecture of Balboa Park and to the old museum building itself. It will be serviceable, but will not become a destination building. The only thing it really reflects is the rather dull Timken Museum across the courtyard from it. Our friend, Kaz Maslanka ponders, “Could there be a compromise façade to the new wing, perhaps in the older style but made with new transparent materials? Could we please ask for something a bit more innovative in style, if it is not going to relate at all to the history of park. It is a sound conservation solution, but I feel we deserve more.  

Hall of Realms, Museo del Prado, Madrid

The Glasshouse International Center for Music, Gateshead, England

Great Court, British Museum, London

Reichstag, New Parliament, Berlin

Reichstag, New Parliament, Berlin - separate larger model of dome and interior

New Wing Proposal for the San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park, San Diego

Large scale photo conceptualization of the entrance to the New Wing Proposal for the San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park, San Diego

 

My little video of the model. 

The San Diego Museum of Art: A New Vision with Foster + Partners is the video which shows a building that is stunning in its function.  There is also a video interview of Sir Norman Foster. And I am glad to say there is a place in the exhibition that asked for your opinion of this plans. Please do go and let your voice be heard. 

Foster + Partners: Architecture of Light and Space at SDMA

On view until April 27, 2025
Balboa Park, SD

SDMA Artists Guild at Museum of Photographic Art @SDMA

by Patricia Frischer

Scott Bruckner  - look close, it is black and white wood hangers

It is a really big deal that  the SDMA Artists Guild  is having their very first exhibition at Museum of Photographic Art @SDMA in Balboa Park on display until March 9th. 

The group of artists that started the SDMA museum in 1926, first showed their work in the 1915 Panama-California Exposition.  Those local artists were involved in the design, façade and its early collections of the new museum. To this day, the Artists Guild continues its support of the museum including financial support. 

Currently with 112 members, 45 are represented in this showing that has been curated by Hugh Davies, retired director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego. This is amazing as the artists have not really shown at the Museum for a long time. And yes, it is the Museum of Photographic Arts that was taken over by the SDMA of art recently, but it is still the MUSEUM!  

Many art professionals have curated shows for the Guild, for example Alex DeCosta of Hyde Gallery, Nancy Lim, Associate Curator San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Katie Dolgov, Director of Exhibitions and Collections Oceanside Museum of Art and the quality of the work, though varied, is improving as it is in other art associations, like the Oceanside Museum of Art Artists Alliance. (Read Seen and Unseen at Oceanside Museum of Art by Patricia Frischer).

The small selection below includes art by James Bliesner  who is the new president of the Guild.  As you can see below it is a wide selection of styles and mediums, which one expects when a show has no theme. On the occasion of the very first exhibition a SDMA Artist Guild video has been created by James Halfacre with an introduction by Roxana Velásquez, the Maruja Baldwin Executive Director and CEO at The San Diego Museum of Art.

Rosemary KimBal - Dancing Brush, Zen brush painting

Angelika Villagrana - membership chair of the Guild board 

James Bliesner - president of the board Guild

Kevin Inman - vice president of the Guild board

Mark-Elliot Lugo

Jeff Crusberg

Kelly Davenport

True Ryndes

Julie Weaverling

Vicky DeLong

Their next exhibition which will be held at PHES Gallery in Carlsbad has an entry date of March 1 and will be on display from April 6 - May 31. We look forward to new directions from the SDMA Artists Guild.

SDMA Artists Guild at Museum of Photographic Art @SDMA
On display until March 9, 2025.