 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Maryland Museum Dismisses Importance of Historical Context: AIABaltimore Diversity Committee Chairman Gets Published in the Baltimore Sun
January 9, 2005 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Maryland Museum Dismisses Importance of Historical Context I greatly appreciate Ed Gunt's extensive article on regional architecture that appeared in the January 9, 2005 issue of The Sun. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture rightly belongs in this exploration of what the future of architecture may hold for our region. The article correctly acknowledged the debate that ensued regarding the existence of an African American architectural aesthetic. Many people both Black and White who were connected to the project during its inception had seen the opportunity for this building to attempt to answer that question. It seemed a logical, legitimate notion to explore considering the building’s purpose. The fact that the client and architect, the project team, choose not to pursue this idea is not something to be criticized. The project team had every right to define the building as they saw fit. However, it is extremely disappointing that the rhetoric supporting their rationale to not considering this approach takes the form of vilifying the concept. I would have better respected an expressed position that the team simply choose not to pursue that route than cast the option as illegitimate. Resorting to the use of African cliché’s, Islamic cliché’s, Chinese cliché’s or classical European cliché’s by definition would be an unfortunate direction for any design to take. However, all cultures have “classical” architecture that splendidly express their unique perspective on the built environment. There is no need to continue the dismissive rhetoric on African history and culture in order to justify a more popular design approach. Perhaps it was politically safer to say the alternative was wrong rather than admit they didn’t know how to do it. American architects are trained primarily on Western architectural traditions and design theory. They are taught nothing of the extensive works of West Africa, which arguably could be the foundation of an African American architectural aesthetic. This museum is the culmination of efforts began in the previous century. It is the solid result of the prevailing paradigm of the recent past. A paradigm that considers historic reference as taking steps backwards. Hopefully sometime this century a significant building will grace the pages of The Sun that skillfully expresses the architectural traditions of West Africa in a modern American context, just as many buildings have done using the European classics. Choice is the essence of freedom. Those who have chosen not to embrace their past have the right to do so. Yet they should respect those who are attempting to provide for themselves and others the opportunity to choose their own architectural heritage as the source of inspiration for their architectural expressions. Paul L. Taylor, Jr., AIA (d) 443-742-9420 The writer is a licensed architect and Chair of AIA Baltimore’s Diversity Committee. He was the founding Coordinator of The Architecture and Environmental Design program at Morgan State University, a Past President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and a former University Architect for both Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland. His firm African Heritage Architecture focuses on cultural reflective architecture. |
Copyright © 1995-2008 AIA Baltimore
