V'SOSKE Rugs by Architects: Architecture in Transition, 1979-1993

The Center for Architecture is pleased to announce that the exhibition V'SOSKE Rugs by Architects: Architecture in Transition 1979-1993 is now on view at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, New York City. The exhibition is organized by the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY) and V'SOSKE, Inc. The exhibition of 38 original works by 23 architects will be on view through May 28, 2012. In 1989, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Washington, DC bestowed the Institute's "Honor Award" for V'SOSKE's long-standing commitment to the field of architecture and its collaborations with legendary figures such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Philip Johnson. Since its founding in 1924, V'SOSKE has been committed to the principle that the rug is a vital component of a space, and the design philosophy of its architect. In the mid 1970s, architecture was in a period of transition as the post-war promise of a new utopia led to built environments that abandoned context and history. Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown eloquently addressed those issues in their landmark treatise, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, in which they stated: "When circumstances defy order, order should bend or break: anomalies and uncertainties give validity to architecture." Roger McDonald and Ellen Hertzmark, V'SOSKE's Directors of Design and Marketing recognized this ideological transition and embarked on creating a collaborative collection of rugs with leading and emerging architects from 1979 through 1993. Each handmade rug became the architects' philosophical canvases, and provided opportunities to innovate and explore new methods of fabrication. Now some 35 years later, and all assembled for the first time at the AIANY Center for Architecture, the 38 original works by 23 architects chronicle a period of architecture in transition. Lee F. Mindel, FAIA, Curator Shelton, Mindel & Associates RELATED PROGRAMMING On Sunday, May 20, from 6-8pm, exhibiting architects in V’SOSKE Rugs by Architects: Architecture in Transition, 1979-1993 will reflect on their interest and exploration of design through the V’SOSKE collaboration during that period. Reception to follow. Panelists: Tod Williams, FAIA, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects Billie Tsien, AIA, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects Frederic Schwartz, FAIA, Frederic Schwartz Architects Henry Smith-Miller, AIA, Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects Laurie Hawkinson, Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects Roger McDonald, Director of Design and Marketing, V'Soske Ellen Hertzmark, Director of Design and Marketing, V'Soske Lee Mindel, FAIA, Shelton, Mindel & Associates, V’Soske exhibition curator (moderator) A participating program of Design Week NYC. Center for Architecture