Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art - The Arthur Drexler Years, 1951-1986

Arthur Drexler was the longest-serving curator and director of the Architecture and Design Department at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) from 1951 until 1986. He conceived and oversaw groundbreaking exhibitions that reflected and anticipated major stylistic developments, confirming the reputations of twentieth-century architects. Drexler's shows promoted new ideas about architecture and design as modern arts in contemporary society, offsetting MoMA's reputation as an elitist institution.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 208 pages
\n Publication date: 22 January 2019
\n Publisher: Getty Trust Publications
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Arthur Drexler, a renowned architect and curator, held the prestigious position of curator and director of the Architecture and Design Department at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) from 1951 to 1986. His tenure marked the longest curatorship in the museum's history, during which he conceived and oversaw groundbreaking exhibitions that not only reflected but also anticipated significant stylistic developments in architecture and design. Despite the attention given to MoMA's founding director, Alfred Barr, and the department's first curator, Philip Johnson, this is the only in-depth study of Drexler, who played a pivotal role in shaping and guiding the department.

During Drexler's tenure, MoMA assumed a crucial role in examining the work of twentieth-century architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra, Marcel Breuer, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. His exhibitions ventured into unexpected subjects, ranging from the design of automobiles and industrial objects to a reconstruction of a Japanese house and garden. These boundary-pushing shows promoted new ideas about architecture and design as modern arts in contemporary society.

Drexler's exhibitions also aimed to foster a culture of popular accessibility at MoMA, countering its reputation as an elitist institution. Through public and educational programs, the department projected a sense of inclusivity, making the museum more accessible to a broader audience.

Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art, by Thomas S. Hines, delves into the history of MoMA's Architecture and Design Department, examining how it became a touchstone for the practice and study of midcentury architecture. The book draws on rigorous archival research and firsthand experiences working with Drexler, providing a comprehensive analysis of his contributions to the field.

In conclusion, Arthur Drexler's remarkable tenure as curator and director of the Architecture and Design Department at MoMA left an indelible mark on the museum and the field of architecture and design. His visionary exhibitions, coupled with his commitment to popular accessibility, transformed MoMA into a hub for the practice and study of midcentury architecture. Through his dedication and expertise, Drexler played a crucial role in shaping the cultural landscape of modern art and architecture.

\n Weight: 1076g\n
Dimension: 261 x 209 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781606065815\n \n