DOCOMOMO US_NC Plans 2008

So many have submitted names and contact information to our fledgling chapter in recent weeks, that I wanted to take an opportunity to talk about the organization and our plans.

Last winter, the DOCOMOMO US_NC board set five goals for 2007: 1) incorporation, 2) an annual meeting, 3) an affinity reception with PNC, 4) a web presence, and 5) a bank account.

Incorporation took place in August -- with its establishment, North Carolina joins other places such as Western Washington, Georgia, the Tri-State/ New York, and New England (among others) with active incorporated chapters.With the establishment of a bank account soon, we will have met all five goals. Thank you to our board for their work!

The annual meeting was held in downtown High Point, and involved a walking tour of High Point's modernist architecture. The reception in October was a great success, with over 75 people participating. Our web presence is modest, in the form of this blog.

As we move into 2008, we look forward to setting additional goals to raise awareness, appreciation, interest, and preservation of modernist resources in North Carolina. The DOCOMO US_NC board will likely meet some time in December/January, and we are glad to incorporate your ideas and your energy to promote the cause. Though we have to be smart about allocating our resources and talents in a sustainable way, with growing statewide support there is already a great deal of momentum.

Keep an eye out for the next board meeting. In the meantime, I appreciate your interest and support of modernism, and hope to hear from you soon!

DOCOMOMO US_NC President
Benj-.

MOMO in the Triad

In the past several week, Patrick Lucas has been very busy with the "close to home" design-build studio that his students (along with many others) have undertaken this semester. Students have been working at full tilt in both the UNCG woodshop designing and building the structures associated with their exhibit on architect Edward Loewenstein and his legacy of modernism in Greensboro. The exhibit will have a special opening on Thursday, 8 November, 7-9pm, at the Gatewood Gallery (527 Highland Avenue) on UNCG's campus.

Other opening weekend events include :

• a free TOUR of the elon university school of law building, 10am, Saturday, 10 November
• a SCREENING of the classic mod-century film "Mr. Blandings builds his Dream House" (Cary Grant + Myrna Loy, 1948) at the Weatherspoon Art Museum, 2pm, Saturday, 10 November
• a "MOD SHOW + TELL" (think Antiques Road Show + more) on Sunday, 11 November from 1-4pm. at this latter event, there will be appraisers on hand to evaluate 50s and 60s mod items people bring in, some mod furniture to sink into, and the opportunity to hear about the design legacy of mid century mod through a couple of short talks by representatives from Knoll and Herman-Miller.

The opening weekend has many opportunities to see the exhibit and spend a little time with modernist design. If you can't make those events, the exhibit will be on display until 30 November (at the Gatewood) and the companion exhibit at Elon University School of Law until 31 January. Also, make note of the 10 Mod Moments (temporary exhibit kiosks) standing throughout Greensboro as you travel about town. For those of you more interested in the design process and its evaluation, there will be a public review of the exhibition design from (9:30am-11:30am on Friday, 9 November) with a presentation by students and an opportunity to discuss the design process and outcomes of the studio.

This is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and interest on the topic of modernist design. Thanks to Patrick and the UNCG Department of Interior Architecture for this great event. Visit their website at http://www.uncg.edu/iar/modernism/

MOMO in the Triangle

Interest in the MOdernist MOvement in the Triangle is being cultivated by fellow blogger George Smart, Jr with his site http://www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/.

George keeps the content updated frequently as he adds more sites to his list of Triangle Modernist Houses. This site, promoted by George as an educational resource for RTP-area design enthusiasts, includes a list of modernist architects ranging from Aaron Allred to Terry Waugh. Its a great way to familiarize yourself with great mid-century modern houses, and will go far to fuel interest in progressive architecture.

George developed his appreciation for modernism through his father, a local architect for over 40 years and a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright. Elder Smart attended the NCSU School of Design, a hotbed of modernism throughout the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

Though his own career in education has strayed from his father's profession, his interest remains strong in the subject of architecture. As described on his main page, in January 2007, he typed "Raleigh modernist architecture" into Google and discovered the Triangle's tiny yet potent universe of modernist houses and their fans.

If only every metro area in the state had such support!

DOCOMOMO US_NC Meets in Raleigh

In coordination with Preservation North Carolina's Annual Meeting October 24-27, 2007, the North Carolina Chapter of DOCOMOMO US held an affinity reception at the Urban Design Center. Over 75 attended, some from as far away as Richmond, Philadelphia, and Charleston.

Thanks to DOCOMOMO US_NC board member Beth Yerxa of Raleigh for organizing this event. One special guest was modernist architect Brian Shawcroft who was interviewed by DOCOMOMO board member Cynthia DeMiranda on his past projects and perspectives. We also enjoyed a power point presentation display on North Carolina Modernism.

DOCOMOMO US_NC will be planning a slate of initiatives for the coming year, including ideas for our annual meeting tour in May, and our PNC annual meeting affinity reception which will be held in Winston-Salem. If other ideas and energy are out there, let me know at bbriggs@blandwood.org. I will be glad to discuss.

Thanks to all those who attended the reception!