Begin your afternoon in Boston with lunch at Sportello, which is chef Barbara Lynch’s concept of “a modern interpretation of the classic diner.” She is a James Beard-award winner and native Bostonian who adroitly executes a cool minimalism in her menu and restaurant design. Sportello opened in Fall 2008 in the Fort Point neighborhood. On a recent Sunday, I ordered the shrimp and avocado salad with endive, grapefruit and tarragon ($12) with a glass of freshly squeezed OJ. My friend enjoyed the cheddar cheese panini with tomato confit and bacon ($13). Don’t miss the irresistible goodies at the bakery counter!
 |
| View of ICA from harbor |
Walk off your lunch with a 10-minute stroll to the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, which is located in the revitalized waterfront area. The five-year-old museum was designed by Diller Scofidio & Renfro, the team that also designed the High Line in NYC.
 |
| Grandstand under cantilever |
 |
| View of harbor from grandstand |
The exterior of the building is best viewed from the side that faces the harbor with the dramatic cantilever that extends over the grandstand with public seating. You will most likely approach the museum from the parking lot/street and this view of the building is truly unremarkable. When I visited recently, I walked around the perimeter of the building before going inside, and considering the building from a 360-degree perspective, it was architecturally disappointing. I thought of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Bilbao museum and how the building reveals something new from every exterior angle. The ICA does not remotely compare to Bilbao in this respect.
Please note that since interior photography of the museum is not permitted, I can only include photos from the exterior of the building.
The Water Café on the ground floor has a sleek, modern design. But the bookstore behind the admission desk gives the impression of a design afterthought.
Once you have your admission ticket, take the 140-square-foot elevator to the fourth floor, which is the only floor with galleries. The theater occupies the second and third floors. On my recent visit, a portion of the fourth floor was closed because of an installation, which further reduced the art viewing options, and a memorial service was scheduled that afternoon in the theater. I was informed that I could bring my ticket back in October for free admission once the new show opened.
The two distinctive architectural spaces on the fourth floor are the Mediatheque and the Founders' Gallery.
 |
| The Mediatheque under the cantilever |
The Mediatheque is suspended from under the cantilever and provides a vertiginous view of the water. The architects used the concept of a viewfinder in framing this perspective of the water. There are a number of computer stations for accessing information about the museum, artists and exhibitions. But it is the combination of the dramatic view and the extreme verticality of the space that makes the Mediatheque a sensational experience.
 |
| The Founders' Gallery |
The north end of the fourth floor features the Founders' Gallery, which spans the width of the building, and the floor-to-ceiling windows face the harbor. The Gallery is essentially a corridor which connects two galleries but does not display any art. Be sure to walk the length of the Gallery and take a few minutes to sit and enjoy the view.
Eva Hesse: Studiowork is a gem of an exhibition. Hesse was an important American sculptor who died in 1970 at the age of 34. The show features experimental and rarely exhibited works which bring to light the range of unusual materials and techniques that she used. The show is on view through October 10, 2011.
Sportello
348 Congress St.
Boston, MA 02210
Tel: 1.617.737.1234
http://www.sportelloboston.com/The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston
100 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA 02210
Tel: 1.617.478.3100
No comments:
Post a Comment