it's what's inside that counts, right?

in the last decade there's been an ongoing struggle
within the art world to find the balance between
designing institutions that provoke the idea of creativity,
and showcase the art held within their walls.

there are many examples of museums that are extensions of
the work inside - the guggenheim both in new york and bilbao,
as well as the younger, extremely interesting massachusetts
MoCA. it is a delicate argument with equally balanced for and
against sides. one being of the belief that the institutes exterior
needs to evoke a level of thought equal to he work inside, the other,
wanting to play it safe and let the work do the talking - the museum
is then simply a frame.

the current argument is surrounding the proposed design for the new
miami art museum. the architects at the center of it all are no strangers
to the fight. jacques herzog and pierre de meuron are the swiss team
responsible for the tate modern in london, and their schaulager in
basel, switzerland that houses a mixture of galleries and art storage
spaces. this time, in miami it would appear they are playing it safer in
hope of avoiding the wrath of the art world....almost attempting to fly
under the radar.

for more detailed info check out the new york times article, and view the
slide show for the proposed miami art museum design:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/arts/design/24mam.html?
pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=design

**image sourced from new your times website