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Álvaro Siza: Architecture and Poetic Modernism with Dr. Jennie Hirsh

Álvaro Siza: Architecture and Poetic Modernism with Dr. Jennie Hirsh


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Focused on the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza, this seminar offers an overview of the career of this creative figure whose work is often referred to as "poetic modernism." Awarded the Pritzker Prize in 1992, this modernist architect is known for his ability to balance sensitivity to the vernacular and local contexts with more contemporary needs and functions.

After reviewing his influences and education, we will look at commissions for small private houses, housing, museums, and more, beginning with two of his early commissions, Boa Nova Tea House (1963) and the Leça Swimming Pool complex, both in Matosinhos, Portugal (1966). Other sites in Portugal to be visited in this virtual conversation include Santa Maria Church (1996) in Marco de Canaveses, the Portuguese National Pavilion for Expo '98 in Lisbon, Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves (1999) in Porto, the Tolo House in Ribeira de Pena (2005), the Fez House and Vidago Spa (both 2012) in Porto, the International Contemporary Sculpture Museum (MIEC) and renovation of the Municipal Museum Abade Pedrosa (MMAP)(2012) in Santo Tirso, the Fire Station in Santo Tirso (2013), and the Nadir Afonso Contemporary Art Museum in Chaves (2015).

Beyond his native Portugal, we will travel to Bonjour Tristesse social housing project in Berlin (1980), Iberê Camargo Foundation in Porto Alegre, Brazil (2003), the Serpentine Pavilion – a collaboration with Eduardo Souto de Moura – (2005) in London, the Building on the Water in Huai'an, China (2014), Auditorium Theatre of Llinars del Vallès (2015) in Llinars del Vallès, Spain, China Museum Of Design Bauhaus Collection in Hangzhou, China (2018), and the Art Pavilion, Chapel, and Observatory (2018) in Saya Park in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea.

Led by an expert on modern and contemporary art and architecture, Dr. Jennie Hirsh, this Conversation will introduce and contextualize this important architect. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased appreciation of Siza's contribution to twentieth- and twenty-first-century architecture and architectural history.

This seminar has been designed to be enjoyed as a standalone experience, or as part of Dr. Hirsh's extended series spotlighting world-famous architects. For more details, click here. 

Jennie Hirsh (Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College) is a Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art. She has held postdoctoral fellowships at Princeton and Columbia Universities, as well as pre-doctoral fellowships from the Mrs. Giles Whiting Foundation, the U.S. Fulbright Commission, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, and the Wolfsonian FIU. Hirsh has authored essays on artists including Giorgio de Chirico, Giorgio Morandi, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Yinka Shonibare, and Regina Silveira, and is co-editor, with Isabelle Wallace, of Contemporary Art and Classical Myth (Ashgate 2011).

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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A. (St Louis, US)
A wonderful mix of architecture and travel

This was my first conversation with Jennie Hirsh although she does many for Context. She seemed so comfortable with her subject and presented as of she was with you in front of the spectacular buildings of Alfaro Siza. Her photographs are exceptional and her descriptions also exceptional. Of course it helped that I love the same people that she does and have seen many of the works of people she mentioned. Siza is new to me and I can't wait to see some of his buildings next year when we are in Portugal.

A
A. (Porto Alegre, BR)

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
100%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
A. (St Louis, US)
A wonderful mix of architecture and travel

This was my first conversation with Jennie Hirsh although she does many for Context. She seemed so comfortable with her subject and presented as of she was with you in front of the spectacular buildings of Alfaro Siza. Her photographs are exceptional and her descriptions also exceptional. Of course it helped that I love the same people that she does and have seen many of the works of people she mentioned. Siza is new to me and I can't wait to see some of his buildings next year when we are in Portugal.

A
A. (Porto Alegre, BR)

Guest did not leave comment