Atlanta's move towards Modernism?

I went to a lecture last night, at the High Museum, which really shed light on Atlanta's progressive, or lack thereof, actions towards adopting an additional aesthetic into the hearts and homes of Atlantans. Michael Shapiro, the director at the High Museum, noticed from the statistics noted from the Andy Warhol and Picasso exhibit that the 1/3 million of people that came through the exhibit, the average age was 41 (the average age usually resting around 46-47 years old). These statistics brought an interesting debate to the round table.
The five professionals at Atlanta Embraces Modernism addressed the rising issue of encouraging younger markets into the art industry. One woman, Catherine Fox, brought up an interesting point of view. She said that youth now, twenty-something men and women, have less to loose now because, well, there's less to gain. Therefore, a more lackadaisical point of view is easily obtained because, as she said, you "dance in the fountain without a stage". It's this idea that youth now are excited by art, no more are there large stages required to display great art and design. Younger generations are creating this art in basements hung with cobwebs, and markets that Atlanta hosts to showcase these ambitious individuals. Organizations are now coming about that honor these artists, and want to encourage and drive the leadership in these young individuals.

Even before we can look at the people making the shift for Atlanta’s city, I think it’s important to ask if Atlanta is even ready for Modernism. John Oetgen and Doug Henderson were also two of the professionals at the lecture, Atlanta Embraces Modernism.  Doug was saying that there was a show hosting something like seven pieces of modern furniture and that one of the group were purchased by a couple and that the rest were sent back. Is this the pattern of response for Atlanta natives? John Oetgen had an interesting response. His experience with the industry and many of Atlanta clients gives him the insight he has. I loved the words he chose to describe Atlanta aesthetic. He said it’s something of “nostalgia soup”. Following up with an explanation, he described homes that have midcentury interiors, high ceilings, crown molding, combining this history with punches of modern aesthetic. Many of Atlanta homes are graced with the city’s history and combining this with elements of 21^st century. They are an integration of each other, not separate entities. I found this to
be incredible interesting and brings me back to ask again, is Atlanta ready for modernism? Doug Henderson said it’s going to take a few homes that breach the aesthetic boundary of modernism before it’s accepted unanimously. Almost like a ring leader of design is needed in the residential sector for homes to adopt this transformation.

This motif of leadership kept surfacing, and for good reasons. If leadership is needed for residential designers to lead their clients from mixing contemporary with older antique furnishings to a more modern approach, what are we doing as designers to educate ourselves, our clients, our communities? And this again brings up another issue I found in speaking with a professor of mine, Christian Cottier. He brought up good food for thought with the lecture at the High Museum. He proposed that begging modernism into Atlanta almost suggests that there is a void without it. Is there? Is the Atlanta design ‘missing’ something? Is modernism the missing link? As to what the answer is, I do not know. I do know that diversity and progressive change is inevitable and beautifully wonderful. I think the lecture was not to condone traditional design, but moreso bring light to the adoption or lack of adoption for the Atlanta community. I think that Atlanta doesn’t have the competition (like more densely populated areas like, New York or Tokyo (as brought up in the talk)) to be more contemporary than our colleagues and community. In those areas there is this lingering approach to be better, be more inventive, and more modern than our fellow artists. This is crucial to notice for our beautiful city of Atlanta. With less competition, comes more room to radically change and make a difference. What a beautiful realization for designers of Atlanta. We DO have a say, we can make an effect, and we can change the world with good design.

Let’s change the world. Let’s start with Atlanta.