Have you ever noticed the architecture of the building you work or live in? Do you ever wonder about its origins?
Here, in Providence, and in neighboring cities such as Pawtucket, Art Deco and Machine Age architecture from the 1920's to the 1940's is very present. These styles of architecture were very predominant during the Modernist era.
As the poet, Ezra Pound once said, “make it new!”, this is what modernist art is all about: inspiring and using previously used architectural motifs, in order to create new ones that would be more suitable for society’s new face, as it went through two world wars, and was constantly innovative and mechanized.
Architects, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, wanted to create a unison between architecture and the environment it was in. This age was a turning point in architecture, and has deeply influenced today’s styles.
Who wouldn’t want to learn more about their town’s architecture, especially if it had the great chance to go through all these changes, and has the opportunity to showcase all of these wonderful and unique architectural details?
Unfortunately, a lot of these special Buildings aren’t noticed, or even endangered. This is why the Providence College class of development of Northern American architecture, has decided to exhibit pictures of these incredibly singular and unparalleled architecture styles. The mission of the class is to create awareness about details that we don’t necessarily notice, and about the rich history behind all of these architectural features.
How lucky are you to live in an area where a “Great Gatsby”-style architecture is so predominant? Wouldn’t you want to learn more about the rich history that surrounds you?