UC Berkeley Art Museum, Pacific Film Archive Open New Building With Architecture Exhibit

To inaugurate its new building, the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive will hold an exhibit called the “Architecture of Life.” The exhibit provides a dialogue on how architecture illuminates the human experience. It will take up the gallery spaces of the new BAM/PFA structure wherein more than 150 words of arts, architectural drawings, scientific illustrations and models which span for 1,000 years will be presented.

BAM/PFA’s Director Lawrence Rinder said, “Visitors to ‘Architecture of Life’ will be able to engage with the breadth and depth of cultural experience at UC Berkeley.” Rinder described the exhibit as “boundary-breaking, innovative and radically interdisciplinary.”

“The exhibition will present visually exquisite, rarely seen works in ways that suggest new connections and meanings.”

The exhibit will highlight the works of Noriko Ambe, Ruth Asawa, George Ault, Lee Bontecou, Louise Bourgeois, James Castle, Diller Scofidio+Renfro, Marcel Duchamp, Suzan Frencon, Stephen Kaltenbach, Frederick Kiesler, Kimsooja, Paul and Marlene Kos, Fernand Lege, Otto Lehmann, Ad Reinhardt. A.G. Rizzoli, Till Roeskens, James Whitney, John Whitney, Lebbeus Woods, Iannis Xenakis and so much more.

The new BAM/PFA building was designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro who combined the original Art Deco style of the old printing plant along with a new structure. The result is an 83,000-square foot building, including a gallery space worth 25000 square feet. It also has two film theater, a performance forum, four study centers, a reading room, an art lab, a cafe and several gathering areas.

“The new BAM/PFA combines serene spaces for viewing art and film with public areas that will inspire audiences with their fresh, imaginative design and versatility,” Rinder said describing the vibe of the new building.”

It is scheduled to open in the early part of 2016.