Another Opening, Another Show; Hadid's Pavilion Debuts
Back in mid-June, we went to Millennium Park to see the grand reveal of the
Burnham Pavilions, temporary structures erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Burnham-Bennett 1909 Plan of Chicago. But, only one pavilion was ready. This past Tuesday evening was opening night for the Zaha Hadid portion of the show, and I came back to the Park for Pavilion Due's big debut.
[Hadid Pavilion, 7:30-7:45pm, Tuesday, August 4, 2009, Millennium Park, Chicago /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
I got there early, around 7:00pm. The portable aluminum guard rails were still blocking
access and the Millennium Park security guard told me that he was instructed to remove the barricade at 7:30. So, I sat on a nearby bench and waited. I sat alone. A few people wandered up, but once they encountered the barricade, they left. At exactly 7:30, the railings came down and passersby strolled into the mouth of the pavilion. Apparently someone wasn't quite ready. I saw a man come out of the stretched fabric belly, another man approached, and you can see them zipping things up in the lower right hand photo.
[Hadid Pavilion, 7:50-7:55pm, Tuesday, August 4, 2009 /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
Underneath the white fabric panels is an intricate aluminum frame which supports the
entire structure. (The openings in the ceiling reminded me of shark's gills). The fabric works well where it is stretched tight, but the effect is kind of ruined where there are pucks and wrinkles. But, the interior sweep of cloth was as taut as a stretched rubber band, which provides the screen for the video segment of artist Thomas Gray's presentation/interpretation of Chicago and the Plan. Along with Gray's sound track accompaniment, engineered by Lou Mallozzi, the show had truly begun - or so I thought.
[Hadid Pavilion, 7:56-8:45pm, Tuesday, August 4, 2009 /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
I had parked myself on a bench across from one of the open-mouthed entrances, when
a man approached with a large black box. Turns out he's the "lighting guy." (Was that lighting designer Tracey Dear?) He pulled wires out from under the pavilion and directed them toward the bench, where I offered him my seat, so he could set up. Soon, the exterior began to glow with color. It was around 8:30 by now, and the van Berkel pavilion was aglow with color as well.
[UNStudio Pavilion, Ben van Berkel, August 4, 2009 /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
When we attended the public grand opening of the UN Studio pavilion, (see our photos
here) van Berkel's skim-coated surfaces provided hundreds of kids with an opportunity to do everything in their power to try and climb up on to those slanted surfaces and slide back down. The soles of thousands of little feet have wreaked havoc on the slick, white coating and I think the sign should read, "For the safety of the pavilion ...." There has been talk that with the delayed opening of the Hadid pavilion, the dismantling of both of these temporary structures might be delayed beyond their scheduled October 31st close. As van Berkel's slowly crumbles, will Hadid's fabric surface start sagging under the weight of Chicago's remaining humid summer? It will be interesting to see if these temporary structures survive until Fall.
[Lighting program, Tracey Dear, Dear Productions /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
By 8:45, the light show was really cranking up, the crowds were, well there weren't
exactly the crowds we witnessed in June, but there was a steady stream of visitors.
[Hadid and van Berkel Pavilions, 8:50pm, Tuesday, August 4, 2009 /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
I've read a lot of architecture critic's praising the design and the intent, expressed by
these two forward thinking architects and their pavilion designs. Sitting on a bench and listening to the average person express confusion and wonder at these amorphous forms, then watching them interact with the pavilions, has proved to me that although very few of us may understand what they are, we sure do enjoy them. So, bravo Ms. Hadid and Mr. van Berkel.
It was getting dark, and for me the show was drawing to a close. I intend on returning, but
for now, it was time say goodnight, and exit stage left.
Burnham Pavilions, temporary structures erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Burnham-Bennett 1909 Plan of Chicago. But, only one pavilion was ready. This past Tuesday evening was opening night for the Zaha Hadid portion of the show, and I came back to the Park for Pavilion Due's big debut.
I got there early, around 7:00pm. The portable aluminum guard rails were still blocking
access and the Millennium Park security guard told me that he was instructed to remove the barricade at 7:30. So, I sat on a nearby bench and waited. I sat alone. A few people wandered up, but once they encountered the barricade, they left. At exactly 7:30, the railings came down and passersby strolled into the mouth of the pavilion. Apparently someone wasn't quite ready. I saw a man come out of the stretched fabric belly, another man approached, and you can see them zipping things up in the lower right hand photo.
Underneath the white fabric panels is an intricate aluminum frame which supports the
entire structure. (The openings in the ceiling reminded me of shark's gills). The fabric works well where it is stretched tight, but the effect is kind of ruined where there are pucks and wrinkles. But, the interior sweep of cloth was as taut as a stretched rubber band, which provides the screen for the video segment of artist Thomas Gray's presentation/interpretation of Chicago and the Plan. Along with Gray's sound track accompaniment, engineered by Lou Mallozzi, the show had truly begun - or so I thought.
I had parked myself on a bench across from one of the open-mouthed entrances, when
a man approached with a large black box. Turns out he's the "lighting guy." (Was that lighting designer Tracey Dear?) He pulled wires out from under the pavilion and directed them toward the bench, where I offered him my seat, so he could set up. Soon, the exterior began to glow with color. It was around 8:30 by now, and the van Berkel pavilion was aglow with color as well.
When we attended the public grand opening of the UN Studio pavilion, (see our photos
here) van Berkel's skim-coated surfaces provided hundreds of kids with an opportunity to do everything in their power to try and climb up on to those slanted surfaces and slide back down. The soles of thousands of little feet have wreaked havoc on the slick, white coating and I think the sign should read, "For the safety of the pavilion ...." There has been talk that with the delayed opening of the Hadid pavilion, the dismantling of both of these temporary structures might be delayed beyond their scheduled October 31st close. As van Berkel's slowly crumbles, will Hadid's fabric surface start sagging under the weight of Chicago's remaining humid summer? It will be interesting to see if these temporary structures survive until Fall.
By 8:45, the light show was really cranking up, the crowds were, well there weren't
exactly the crowds we witnessed in June, but there was a steady stream of visitors.
I've read a lot of architecture critic's praising the design and the intent, expressed by
these two forward thinking architects and their pavilion designs. Sitting on a bench and listening to the average person express confusion and wonder at these amorphous forms, then watching them interact with the pavilions, has proved to me that although very few of us may understand what they are, we sure do enjoy them. So, bravo Ms. Hadid and Mr. van Berkel.
It was getting dark, and for me the show was drawing to a close. I intend on returning, but
for now, it was time say goodnight, and exit stage left.
Posted by designslinger at 8/6/2009 2:31 AM 
Categories: Architecture, Architects
Tags: Ben van Berkel Burnham Pavilions Zaha Hadid UNStudio
Categories: Architecture, Architects
Tags: Ben van Berkel Burnham Pavilions Zaha Hadid UNStudio
beautiful pictures!
thanks, thanks, many thanks!
I'm reminded of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's Gates that decorated Central Park for two beautiful gray weeks in February 2005. A wonderfully written and photographed post. Any idea how long they will be up? I'd like to make it to Chicago to check it out.
Thanks for the kind words. The pavilions are scheduled to come down November 1st. But, because of the delay in getting the Hadid pavilion open on time, there has been talk about postponing the dismantle date. They are meant to be temporary though, so may only hold-up till the end of October. If you make it to Chicago, please let us know.