Architecture Was Written to a Great Degree by the Hand of the Church As Patron
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THE PATRON CHURCH Museum of Contemporary Crafts 29 West 53rd Street, New York, N. Y. October 11, 1957 through January 5, 1958 I'oreword The history of art and architecture was written to a great degree by the hand of the church as patron. That eclecticism of a later time should ultimately spend itself in mediocrity and devitalized forms was inevitable, just as it was inevitable that an increased awareness of spiritual values in our time should be accompanied by a contemporary expression in religious art and architecture. The exhibition "The Patron Church" pays tribute to the church which is again an important patron through the efforts of enlightened clergy, congregations and officials. Also, as a survey of recent work in the liturgical arts, this exhibition presents the opportunity for church officials and the public to see and appraise a movement which promises a great future. We express our sincere appreciation to the architects, artists, craftsmen, photographers, and to patrons who have lent objects to the exhibition. All have contributed immeasurably to its success. Our appreciation is also extended to Mrs. Katherine McClinton, author of THE CHANGING CHURCH,for valuable contacts and interest, and to Edward Fields, Inc., who volunteered to execute for the exhibition tapestries, designed by Hans Moller and Abraham Rattner, which will be presented to a Christian church and a synagogue. Through the close cooperation and support of Mrs. Otto Spaeth and of Mr. Harris Prior, Director of the American Federation of Arts, the architectural section will be incorporated in the Federation's forthcoming exhibition "God and Man." THOMAS S. TIBBS, Director Introduction in religious art, and many of their efforts are directed towardfilling religious commissions 'Ioday there is a wide-spread and growing or producing religious works on their own. interest in contemporary religious art in 'Ihe intensity of interest on the part of the the United States. Appropriately, the Museum churches and artists in this relatively new of Contemporary Crafts starts its second year area of creative expression has resulted in with the exhibition "'Ihe Patron Church," many works of art of high calibre. 'Ihis large which brings to the attention of the general body of notable religious art adds a new and public the great strides that have been made highly desirable dimension to the contemporary recently in the .field of religious architecture movement in art as a whole. In this connection, and arts. 'Ihe exhibition was developed to the position of the churches in the mainstream show the extent to which churches in the of art movements in the past is recalled, United States have emerged as stimulating and and a parallel with the current situation influential patrons of architects, artists is suggested. In thefinal analysis, the and craftsmen who are prominent in the .field status of the arts in the United States of contemporary design. t can only improve and wax stronger with this 'Ihe steady increase of membership in the new augmentation. churches of this country during the twelve 'Ihe importance of the selection of the years since the end of the Second World War contemporary mode of expression for church art is one clear-cut feature of a complex and cannot be over-emphasized. 'Ihe modern art otherwise confusing period in our history. movement in this country has expanded beyond It is reassuring that a serious revival of its secular confines into the new field interest in religion and concern for spiritual that touches the very core of man's existence. values competes with the materialism of these 'Ihe architectural examplesfeatured in the prosperous and expansive times. exhibition, the works in stained glass, metal 'Ihe works of art in the exhibition "'Ihe Patron and wood, the vestments and hangings, indicate Church" provide an interesting insight into that an impressive return has been made by this arresting phenomenon,for the growth of churches as patrons of art. Fine examples of the churches has been accompanied by the need contemporary religious structures, Protestant, for new and larger religious buildings Catholic and Jewish, furnished with appointments and for appointments and ceremonial objects consistent with the style of the architecture, to go with them. may now be seen throughout the country. Significantly, the best in contemporary design, It has been demonstrated that beautiful and as the exhibition reveals, is now sought successful modern churches may be built on by many churchmen, who understand the fact very limited budgets, and that fine contemporary that deep religious feeling and doctrine can be design is not a commodity that only wealth better communicated through the new and vital can obtain. art forms of today than by means of the 'Ihe religious art movement has taken firm root. worn out art styles of the past. It is bound to flourish in the next decades 'Ihe recognition of the validity of contemporary as the population of the United States grows design by the clergy, church officials, and to an extraordinary degree. Many new laity is a recent occurrence. An exhibition communities will develop with religious needs of the depth and quality of "'Ihe Patron Church" that will have to be fulfilled. Looking ahead to with its emphasis on outstanding examples of future demands, the possibility of a great contemporary design to fill the needs of churches outpouring of religious art is an exciting would not have been possible ten years ago. prospect. 'Ihere is every reason to expect At that time, examples were sparse; that the achievements already realized are now, most of the leading artists and craftsmen merely harbingers of even finer things to come. of the United States are greatly interested ROBERT A. LAURER, Assistant Director Architecture CHAPEL OF THE HOLY CROSS Sedona, Arizona Anshen and Allen, architects, 'The architectural section of the exhibition San Francisco, California highlights fourteen recent examples of Model lent by the architects religious buildings in the United States. Photographers: Some of these have already become classics Julius Shulman, Los Angeles, California Roger Sturtevant, San Francisco, California in contemporary architecture. 'These particular structures were chosen CEN T R AL L U THERAN CHURCH not only for the excellence of their designs Portland, Oregon Pietro Belluschi, architect, as a whole, but also for the reason that Cambridge, Massachusetts the decorative elements and objects of worship Photographer : harmonize with the architecture down to the K. E. Richardson, Portland, Oregon smallest detail. 'This highly desirable quality ST. GEORGE 'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH resulted from the close cooperation between Durham, New Hampshire the architect and the craftsmen who designed John A. Carter, architect, and executed the windows, altarfurnishings, Nashua, New Hampshire hangings, and other ceremonial objects Photographer: Robert Sowers, New York City and appointments. CONGR EGATION BETH EL .An examination of the photographs, models and SYNAGOGUE South Orange, New Jersey other related material on exhibition shows ( under construction) a diversity of approach to the solution of Davis, Brody and Wisniewski, architects, problems relating to site,form and materials. New York City Each solution here is highly successful, Models lent by the architects Tapestry designed by Samuel G. Wiener, Jr., and answers well the special requirements executed by Edward Fields, Inc. of the religious group for which the building Eternal light and model for the Menorah was created. by Judith Brown Model for the sculptural screen by Judith Brown and Samuel G. Wiener, Jr. Stained glass designed by Samuel G . Wiener, Jr., executed by the M. and]. McLoughlin Studios, New York City Special materials for the exhibition : Glazed brick supplied by Claycraft Co., Columbus, Ohio Grilles supplied by Borden Metal Products Co., Elizabeth, New Jersey General Contractor: Max Drill, Inc., Newark, New Jersey Photographer: Louis Checkman, New York City SAN LORENZO COMMUNITY CHURCH San Lorenzo, California (formerly the Seabee Chapel, Camp Parks, California) Bruce Goff, architect, Bartlesville, Oklahoma Crucifix by Herring Coe, lent by the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion Center Museum, Port Hueneme, California Photographer: G. E. Kidder Smith, New York City DANFORTH CHAPEL Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado James M. Hunter, architect, Boulder, Colorado Cross, crucifix and candelabra by Lynn R. Wolfe, lent by Danforth Chapel Model of angel relief for the door by Lynn R. Wolfe, lent by the artist Photographer : Warren Reynolds, Minneapolis, Minnesota KNESES TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Port Chester, New York Philip C. Johnson, architect, New York City Model of the wall section lent by the architect Photographer: Ezra Stoller, New York City MILTON STEINBERG HOUSE Park 'Avenue Synagogue, New York City Kelly and Gruzen, architects, New York City Trial section of stained glass window designed and executed by Adolph Gottlieb, lent by the artist Trial section of stained glass window designed by Adolph Gottlieb, executed and lent by Heinigke and Smith (Frederick L. Leuchs, Inc.) Model for Ark door by Calvin Albert, lent by Dr. and Mrs. M. Joel Freedman Photographer: Ben Schnall, New York City EMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Spokane, Washington McClure and Adkinson, architects, Spokane, Washington Photographer : Dearborn-Massar, Seattle,Washington JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER White Plains, New York Fritz Nathan, architect, New York City Model executed by Norman