Built Ideas: A Life of Teaching, Learning, and Action

"Built Ideas" is free and open to the public, and will be celebrated on March 1 with a 6 PM lecture by David, titled "Talking About You," in Higgins Hall Auditorium at 61 St. James Place. The lecture will be introduced by visionary architect Lebbeus Woods, and will reflect on David's 43 years as a teacher through the work of his former students, many of whom have gone on to become accomplished architects and teachers. An opening reception, with live jazz and Greek food, will take place immediately following at 7 PM. Seating priority at the lecture will be given to Pratt students and faculty members with valid ID at 5:30 PM. Members of the public will be admitted at 5:50 PM should seating be available. "Built Ideas" is curated and designed by Christoph a. Kumpusch, adjunct assistant professor, Pratt Institute. The exhibition includes 19 mostly realized works, which demonstrate the interweaving of four primary architectural idea themes: Ground/Topio, Precedent/Proigoumeno, Symbolism/Symvolismos, and Art/Techni. The Built Ideas exhibited include significant works of the architect in Cyprus such as sports stadia and arenas, private residences, urban housing, educational facilities, and hybrid corporate structures. David's New York projects include recognized religious buildings and a proposal for a Greek Orthodox Church at the World Trade Center site. "Ideas can become buildings and buildings can sponsor ideas. The exceptional thing about Theo's work is that he works in both directions--simultaneously," said a. Kumpusch. "The show is about authorship, tangibility, and genius," he added. Also on view will be the work of David's students, which date from the start of his teaching career in 1969 at Pratt and in Nicosia, Cyprus; Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; and Rome, Italy and have been developed in parallel with his own work. "Built Ideas" will travel to Cyprus, Greece, and will be accompanied by a 80-page catalog with text contributions by Woods, a. Kumpusch, and Pratt School of Architecture Dean Thomas Hanrahan. March 2-30, 2012 Hazel and Robert H. Siegel Gallery Higgins Hall, 61 St. James Place Lecture: March 1 at 6 PM Opening Reception: March 1, 7-9 PM Gallery Hours: 9 AM-5 PM Daily Pratt Institute