Quote:
Originally Posted by woodrow
Lucas' proposal for Crissy Field was historicist NOT because of restrictions in the Presidio, but because he likes it. If you look at the two competing proposals for that location (also denied), they were MUCH more forward looking.
George Lucas likes classicism in architecture and he most likely will pursue that in the design here.
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I am also also actually very nervous about George Lucas' overall aesthetic taste level. I fear it's very.....shall we say....challenged. Apart from my inkling about his taste in real world architecture, just think back to the Star Wars universe - much of the design in it as clumsy at best - even compare to the other huge space fiction franchise - design in the Star Trek world in general was on a much higher plane - light years apart really (note: this is not taking a side in some sort of adolescent fanboy throwdown - this is simple straightforward even-handed assesment of the relative design standards). Hopefully there is some sort of pressure put on him to commission a piece of high design worthy of Chicago and its specific high profile siting....not sure where such pressure might come from, however. Rahm doesn't give two shits about real architecture and design (or even is able to recognize it for that matter).........I have this awful feeling Lucas is going to push for some neo classical bullshit ("look, the 'style' I like even fits right in with and 'compliments' the traditional muesums in the campus", etc etc).....someone needs to step in and provide an intervention right now, so we can head off such a disaster.....for all that flak that the rube horde and (for some odd reason) Blair Kamin give Soldier Field, I'm worried that this could actually end up being the real 'mistake by the lake' design-wise....hopefully proven unfounded, yet I do worry on this one....
Additionally, I share Via Chicago's concerns re the overall concept and how the themes come together and such. Right now, it does to an extent feel like a showcase for random things George Lucas is into (and because of his wealth, was able to collect over the years). He really needs a very prominent and acomplished museum/visual presentation/placemaking expert that can lay it all out into a presentation that is thematically cohesive to an extent, and flows together from one genre into the next. Obviously the actual design of the building is an important part of this as well.....
And, yes I'm definitely excited for the location itself, as well as the economic - and potentially cultural - benefits this will bring to Chicago.....
Finally, for some reason (may have something to do with the selection of Chicago for the Lucas museum, but also there's something more to it I think), I'm becoming more excited and maybe even optimistic for an Obama library location at Michael Reese. Previously I thought it absolutely should and would be located on or adjacent to U of C. Now, I'm not as certain, as there is a lot that is appealing about Michael Reese/near south side/bronzeville close to the lakefront and downtown.......