Polishing an Architectural Gem
The Elmhurst Art Museum just completed the first part of a restoration project on one of the few Mies van der Rohe single-family houses in the United States. WDCB's Gary Zidek gets an up-close look at the restored McCormick House and an accompanying Mies exhibition.
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"Of course Farnswoth is this iconic house that people go see as a pilgrimage and have known from the covers of books. We're really asking people to take a second look at this house, to reconsider a more complex view of the architect" - Elmhurst Art Museum executive director, John McKinnon talking about efforts to highlight the McCormick House.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Mies was born in Germany and moved to Chicago before the start of WWII. Examples of his modern, less-is-more designs are standing throughout Chicago. But there's only one Mies-designed single family home in the Chicago-area, the McCormick House (The Farnsworth House is in Plano, IL about 55 miles away from Chicago).
Elmhurst Art Museum executive director John McKinnon
The iconic carport entrance of the McCormick House is now visible for the first time in 20 years. An internal hallway used to connect the Elmhurst Art Museum gallery spaces with the house.
Newly separated McCormick House
A look back at what the McCormick House originally looked like.
Outside
Inside
Visitors who come see the restored McCormick House can also experience an architectural intervention created by artist Inigo Manglano-Ovalle.
It's amazing how a change in color alters perception.
Manglano-Ovalle's UNTITLED FILM (RED)
The Elmhurst Art Museum is also presenting a new three-part exhibition titled MIES'S MCCORMICK HOUSE REVEALED: NEW VIEWS. Curated by Columbia University professor Barry Bergdoll, the exhibit offers a comprehensive look at some of the ideas surrounding the McCormick House.
The Glass Houses portion of the NEW VIEWS exhibit
Model on display
The restored McCormick House officially opened to the public on June 10.
The Elmhurst Art Museum
The new exhibition, MIES'S MCCORMICK HOUSE REVEALED: NEW VIEWS, will be on display through August 26.
Elmhurst Art Museum executive director John McKinnon in NEW VIEWS exhibit
