In September of 2011, I was anxiously awaiting the opening of a particular exhibit that the Art Institute was putting on. The reason for my excitement stemmed from earlier in the year when I had the opportunity to extensively research one of my favorite architects, Bertrand Goldberg.

Co-curated by Alison Fisher, Elizabeth Smith, and Zoe Ryan, the exhibit was titled “Bertrand Goldberg: Architecture of Invention”. The opening of the exhibit was on the 15^th of September upon which I immediately took the opportunity to get a further look into the man behind so many architectural innovations. From his days at the Bauhaus, to his socially conscious designs for urban architecture of a postwar America, the viewer was able to understand the creative evolution of this eminent architect.

“My message, I think, is much more important either than myself personally, or than the quick identification as the round-building architect. I am talking about the performance of people in a social system, about the performance of people in the city.” source
Photo: ArchiTech Gallery, Chicago Office.

The exhibit began with an inside look into Goldberg’s design of Marina City (1959-1967), one of the most notable characteristics of the Chicago skyline for over 50 years now. The curators included over 100 architectural drawings, photographs, and models that together formed a comprehensive narrative of Goldberg’s career. For me, the most interesting parts of the exhibit were the little-known projects that he did throughout his career, such as his design for a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant in California, as well as the furniture designs.

My view may be biased based on the content of this exhibit, but I would say that the curators did a job-well done of representing Bertrand Goldberg over the course of his career. The exhibition came to a close this past Sunday, January 15^th, upon which I took my last walk through the chronicle of Goldberg’s ideas. In its closing, I thought it appropriate to give the exhibit a small review in order to commemorate the man and work behind Marina City and so many other inventive projects.

I hope that you all were able to make it out for the exhibit as well, feel free to leave your thoughts about it!