The “Close to Home” exhibit at the Gatewood building is a beautiful exhibit that perfectly reflects the concept of ‘Blurring Boundaries.’ Edward Loewenstein and his work in Greensboro was the main focus of this exhibit. Loewenstein’s interpretation of Modern design was unlike anything seen before. He created a space that was warm and inviting, something that most believed was impossible in Modern design. This feeling and concept was reflected throughout the “Close to Home” exhibit.
The exhibit was built and structured to create the illusion of blurring the boundaries of nature and the built world, of the outdoors and indoors. This is first seen in the lighting of the exhibit. A great deal of the exhibit is lit by natural light that comes through the glass wall of the gallery. This creates the feel of the outdoors and a sense of nature throughout the exhibit. There is track lighting on the ceiling to light the rest of the exhibit so that everything would be visible; however the natural light is the main source of light during the day.
The way the gallery was set up, and constructed further expresses the concept of blurring boundaries. The structures that were built to display the artifacts created a unique experience throughout the exhibit. The structures were built out of wood and were stained warmed tones to give the space a feeling of warmth in contrast to the concrete gray floor and the whitewashed walls. The natural wood brought in a feeling of nature and openness to a space that was primarily closed off from nature and the outdoors. Pathways were made by these structures that gave you a sense of being compressed and released throughout the exhibit. When you first enter the exhibit you are lead through one of these pathways, drawing you through the exhibit. The pathway is semi-covered by framework of plywood. This gives you the feeling of shelter, bringing the exhibit to a smaller scale and level. However, as you walk further you are lead to a large area that is open to the ceiling of the gallery. While in the pathway you are given the feeling of being sheltered, but when you enter this open space you are given a feeling of freedom and release. It is almost the same feeling you have when you go from the shelter of your home to the outdoors. This moment is repeated throughout the exhibit, leading you through the space.
The structures that create the exhibit further blur the boundaries of the gallery as they extend outside the gallery and into the lobby. When you look at the gallery it looks as if the walls extend through the glass, as if the gallery is unable to fully contain its contents. This aspect of the exhibit draws people’s attention and leads them into the gallery where they will be further enthralled by the space.
Throughout the artifacts of the gallery you find many of Loewenstein’s designs this concept of blurring boundaries. In his residential work, Loewenstein created a warm environment using Modern design by blurring the spaces throughout the house and blurring the line between the interior and the exterior. He used interlocking rooms to connect spaces within the homes, and creates an open floorplan design. He used storage spaces to block off private areas rather that simply put up a wall. This blocked off the space as well as keeping in connected to the rest of the public areas. This also kept the house open to people, creating the welcoming feeling Loewenstein desired. The space invited people to enter and experience the surroundings. Loewenstein also used local materials to create all the spaces, creating a connection to nature, and Greensboro.
The exhibit had several different types media throughout the gallery, and each possessed a different purpose. The first and most prominent were the posters that contained both images and text. The posters were the most informative aspect of the exhibit. The images drew people in, and then helped the person understand the information given to them. There were also two videos, which depicted homes Loewenstein had designed. The video took you through the space as if you were walking through it yourself. This was sometimes hard to follow because of the twists and turns of certain spaces. Also, because it was a silent film you had to simply watch and try and understand on your own. There was an informational poster placed next to it explaining the space and what you were seeing, but this split your attention between the video and the poster. The video was well done and it did give people a greater understanding of the space; however, I feel that there could have been a little less confusion, while watching the video, had there been a greater connection between the commentary and the video. The last type of media that you find in the exhibit is the computers, found on the back wall of the exhibit. The computers give people a more concise explanation of the exhibit and Modernism. This was an excellent way for people that are less familiar with Loewenstein’s work and the Modern style. Many people might have been overwhelmed at being surrounded by such a large amount of information. The computers information creates a stepping stone for them, giving them a basis of knowledge, which would help them navigate throughout the exhibit. The only problem is that the computers are placed in the back of the gallery, where people would have to search them out. With the information that they provide for people it may have been better if they were more readily available to the visitor. As a whole the media works well together to present the exhibit to the visitor, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience.
The visitors experience is further enhanced by the built components of the exhibit. The structures that were created exemplified the concept of the exhibit, as well as adding to the personal experience of the visitor. When you enter the lobby you start to see the exhibit of the outside, creating interest. After you enter the space you are immediately pulled in by the built environment that surrounds you. The pathways of space that were created pull you forward inviting you through the space. The size of these pathways also adds to this experience. They are the perfect size to allow just a small flow of traffic through them. This creates a more personal experience for the visitor, rather than a large open gallery where they might feel lost. The framed roof on these structures adds to this experience, creating a sense of shelter and warmth. As you are drawn through the exhibit you are pulled into areas that are open to the ceiling of the gallery. This open space at first may seem vast compared to the pathways that brought you there; however there is a bench in the middle of this space, creating a feeling of belonging. You are invited to enter the space, relax and look around. You are constantly surrounded by information and images, but it is not overwhelming. You are able to take the exhibit slowly, step by step, rather than feel bombarded with information. The structure of the exhibit works beautifully with the gallery space, the concept, and the work that is being shown to you. The exhibit is beautifully connected throughout inviting visitors to enter and experience the exhibit.
This is the first thing that you experience when you walk into the exhibit. You can see how the pathway leads you into the exhibit and creates a feeling of intimacy. This brings the large scale of the space down to a human level helping the visitor connect with the space.
This is the part of the exhibit you see while you are in the lobby. You can see that the structure that is outside the gallery visually connects to the piece side the exhibit. This exemplifies the idea of blurring boundaries, as well as creating interest and drawing visitors into the exhibit.
This is a part of the exhibit that you are lead to from the covered pathways. It is open to the ceiling giving you the feeling of going from indoors to outdoors. This exemplifies the concept of blurring boundaries. However the space still retains the welcoming feel because there is a bench in the center of the space giving people an opportunity to rest.
