MoMA Present 'Small Scale, Big Change' Exhibition, Closes 1/3

The Museum of Modern Art presents "Small Scale, Big Change: New Architectures of Social Engagement," which will close on January 3, 2011. The exhibition explores contemporary architecture as a powerful means for improving social conditions, focusing on 11 noteworthy built or under-construction projects in underserved communities around the world. The exhibit will be located in the Special Exhibitions Gallery on the third floor.

Concentrating on a group of architects who confront inequality using the tools of design," Small Scale, Big Change" examines the ways these architects engage with social, economic, and political circumstances to develop positive architectural interventions that begin with an understanding of and deference to a community. "Small Scale, Big Change: New Architectures of Social Engagement" is organized by Andres Lepik, Curator, and Margot Weller, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Architecture and Design, The Museum of Modern Art.

Without sacrificing aesthetics, the 11 projects-situated in the United States, Chile, Venezuela, Brazil, France, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Lebanon-reveal a specificity of place, with architectural solutions emerging from sustained research into local conditions and close collaboration with communities. These radically pragmatic projects, which include schools, community centers, housing, and infrastructural interventions, signal a change in the longstanding dialogue between architecture and its environs, wherein the architect's roles, methods, and responsibilities are dramatically reconsidered. The exhibition presents a selection of materials on each project including models, drawings, videos, large-scale photographs, and sketchbooks. Additionally, three Internet-based networks-The 1%, Open Architecture Network, and urbaninform-extend the exhibition's scope beyond individual projects to include stakeholders in various areas of practice around the world. These networks act as forums in which community leaders, architects, and non-governmental organizations share information and experience.

There will be brown bag lunch lectures on October 18th and 21st at 12:30 p.m. in Classroom B. This lecture provides an overview of "Small Scale, Big Change: New Architectures of Social Engagement." Margot Weller, a curatorial assistant in the Department of Architecture and Design, will conduct the lectures. Participants may bring their own lunch. An induction loop sound- amplification system is available for all sessions. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $3 for MoMA members, students, seniors, and staff of other museums. They can be purchased at the lobby information desk, at the film desk, in the Education and Research Building lobby, and online at moma.org/talks.

The Museum of Modern Art is located at 11 West 53rd Street. MoMA hours are Wednesday through Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Museum Admission are $20 adults; $16 seniors, 65 years and over with I.D.; $12 full-time students with
current I.D. Free, members and children 16 and under. Target Free Friday Nights are from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Anna Heringer. METI - Handmade School. Rudrapur, Bangladesh. 2004-06.