Gothamist: Brooklyn Museum Reaction

Nathan C Langston

Mon, 31 May 2004 07:24:33 -0500

I saw the Brooklyn Museum alteration on Saturday (May 29). In my opinion Polshek has perpetrated a disaster. Even those who declare themselves satisfied seem to share that opinion. Otherwise they would show at least one honest daylight photograph of what the facade looks like from the sidewalk. The BMA's day photos collude in showing an elevated perspective. There is a model in the hall which was probably used to sell the concept. There you see the whole from above, and it looks splendid. But in actual fact, the pedestrian looking up at the building, sees waves of shingling that overwhelm the facade like scaffolding. It looks confusing and temporary, like a makeshift review stand, jerry rigged for half a day. It should be replaced. The interior is not a disaster, merely lame. It imitates many a modern airport. The foundation of the stately entrance colonnade above, rises as exposed brickwork, a tribute to the aged building and in startling contrast to the new high tech steel and glass. But that is not much of a point. As to the huge entrance hall, it is, to say the least, an uninspired space. The innocent culprit here is IM Pei. He induced this direction. His pyramid works for the Louvre. Renzo Piano's ducts work for the Pompidou, the BMA has boken both legs on Polshek's glass steps. It will take $15 million to $20 million to get the old lady out of traction. The slope of the land and the elevation of the building makes the problem tricky. But there are solutions that will enhance the building. James Polshek's degrades it.

jw_arch

Wed, 21 Apr 2004 12:02:24 -0500

i think it's great, and very appropriate. they did match the profile of the original beaux arts design, but with contemporary materials. i live about 2 blocks away and just in the last two weeks i've seen the whole area undergo a transformation in attitude. the fountain makes for a great outdoor space, and its so fun to watch the kids go crazy playing in front of the splashing water. well done, polshek.

Kevin Walsh

Wed, 21 Apr 2004 00:34:08 -0500

It looks like they plopped a Greyhound bus terminal from the 1950s there. I couldn't believe it when I saw it a few weeks ago. Couldn't they have done something to match the Beaux Arts architecture of the museum?

Guy Brighton

Tue, 20 Apr 2004 16:16:24 -0500

Nice local artist exhibit on 4th and 5th floors. Took a few photos - see my web page. Various bands....

ugarte

Tue, 20 Apr 2004 14:51:34 -0500

Too long for your comments box, but I put my impressions here and here over at Rick's.

sac

Tue, 20 Apr 2004 13:43:14 -0500

"I liked it because it was garbage." Robert Hughes could do no better. Sign that kid up. His sense of irony is staggering.

Tom

Tue, 20 Apr 2004 09:57:20 -0500

I took a few pictures, people watched for a few minutes, and the plaza was packed with kids playing near the fountain, adults sitting on the steps ala the Met, and just general busy-ness. It was nice to see-- I lived across the street (and down the block) from the museum from 1997-2003, so it was an interesting change in the scene there-- particularly the new subway entrance on the east side of Eastern Parkway. Very polished and nice, and though I am mixed on the glass steps "gloss" on the old steps-- I think that portion of the design is so-so-- the actual steps, green space, and fountain are really exciting. I also love the exposed brick at the base of the entrance. It gives the building a classic look and is a nice use of materials that were already there. All in all, a success. I hope to be able to visit when its less crazy and take my time with a good look at the space. It makes you wonder about Brooklyn as a whole... it seems to me that the borough is the new frontier for NYC architecture and construction (save for the Ground Zero project). There is a lot of talk about Brooklyn development, particularly in the Park Slope/ Ft. Greene/ Flatbush Ave areas. The new Frank Gehry arena they want to put there, the overwhelming potential for vertical construction... I think Brooklyn is the place to be for the next 20 years in terms of watching and participating in the development of the city. It may one day rival Manhattan, maybe not as a commercial space, but in a different way-- a place that is unique in and of itself, a part of the city the allows for a more familial, progressive community.

Jay

Tue, 20 Apr 2004 09:39:12 -0500

Didn't go inside the museum but walked past it. It's really gorgeous! And the fountain is really great. It's similar to the fountain at the Bellagio, where the water shoots up at different beats. Little kids would run up to the fountain, and would then run away screaming when they got wet. This happened over and over. Very cute to watch.

andy

Tue, 20 Apr 2004 07:54:56 -0500

I lived just 2 blocks from the museum for years (recently moved to park slope) and i was in awe of the new facade (and a little jealous!) when i saw it over the weekend. It is gorgeous and was worth the long wait! Now i regret that I'll no longer be using the 2/3 on Eastern Parkway for my daily commute, just so i can see the BMA twice a day...