Maurice K. Smith exhibition
Maurice Smith’s 1958 Odeon mural.
The Deconstructing Modernism from within - The Art and Architecture of Maurice K Smith exhibition looks at a unique and largely unsung original. Considered a cult figure by the mainstream architecture fraternity today, Smith’s work and theories of ‘3-dimensional habitable built fields’ was developed through the 1950s and ‘60s. This work pre-empted what is now considered Neo-Vernacular architecture, while his artwork embraced elements of both expressive abstraction and traditional Maori design techniques.
Smith also designed the stunning Odeon mural and the southern hemisphere’s first geodesic dome at Western Springs.
An inspirational teacher and creative polymath, Smith worked with Serge Chermayeff, Buckminster Fuller and Carl Koch amongst many, becoming a noted architectural theorist in the United States. Still Emeritus Professor of Architecture at Harvard MIT, Smith is long overdue for recognition in his own country!
The exhibition opens Thursday 22 September at 5.30pm and runs until Thursday 29 September.
Allpress Gallery is open 7.30am to early afternoon. Please note: gallery closed over the weekend due to construction on Victoria Park.