Architecture Here and There

Whether the Chace Center goes down as a major contribution or as Mandle's Folly is an open question. You are right that there was, and that there remains, a sizeable body of opinion that it is folly. That's where you've always come down, and your latest entry is consistent with that view.

But your note's title suggest a direct connection between its argument (a complaint over the decision to build the Chace Center) and "losing Hope". Yet you nowhere make that connection. My guess is that you remain obsessed with what you view as your own private Moby Dick across the river, and can't stop talking about it, even if the news of the day (Alswang's departure) has nothing to do with your preoccupation. How about some *reporting* instead of another round of grousing?

Fenster Moop - That's a fair enough assessment of my position.

The Chace Center isn't my Moby Dick, however. GTECH is. But the Chace Center comes close enough.

It is true that I don't know any more than I once did about the extent to which the Chace Center contributes to RISD's broader financial troubles, or the departure of Hope Alswang. But since no coverage that I had read made any mention of the Chace Center in connection with those troubles, I thought it worth bringing up. Perhaps bringing it up will elicit more information about any such connection or lack thereof. Maybe that doesn't rise above the level of "grousing." I believe it does. Not far, but far enough.

By the way, a headline on a blog mustn't be confused with a headline on a news story. "Why RISD is losing Hope" is a play on words that summarizes my opinion of the matter, which may or may not bear a close resemblance to the facts of the matter.

Hope Alswang did not 'resign' from the RISD Museum over budget cuts. She is an accomplished museum professional who was prepared to roll up her sleeves to get the job done even in challenging economic times.

Hope loved living in Providence and anticipated being a part of the local community for many years. She enjoyed the complexities of working with diverse constituancies, loved and supported the curators and museum staff, found the collection an inspiration, and engaged both faculty and donors alike.

As Museum Director her track record is exemplary. She raised substantial funds for the museum, kept the museum open during an ambitious construction project, increased attendence significantly, encouraged and supported a diverse and exciting exhibitions program, facilitated the addition of nearly 2,000 objects to the already stellar collection, and more.

Significant questions still remain unanswered as to why she left. And now that she is gone, what RISD President John Maeda and the Board of Trustees plan to do to capitalize on the incredible momentum that had been generated under Hope Alswang's direction.

To lose the director, and the vitality of the museum's program would certainly be a cultural tragedy indeed.

I do think that a debate or discussion about the merits of the building both architecturally, and urbanistically are a separate issue. And so too is the wisdom of the decision to build the Chace and its short term, and long term impact on the finances on the mission of RISD.

Maeda is clueless unless there is red light on the HD video camera. It is so fantastic and utterly ironic that he is being burnt by the same media that he uses to bloat his ego.

Go John!!