Institute for Contemporary Art, Richmond facts for kids
.jpg) |
|
| Established | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Location | Richmond, Virginia, United States |
| Architect | Steven Holl Architects |
The Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU (ICA at VCU) is a special art center at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. It's also known as the VCU Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center. This amazing building was designed by Steven Holl Architects, a famous architecture firm. They were chosen from 64 other firms from all over the world! The ICA opened its doors to the public in April 2018. It's located in a very important spot, connecting VCU's main campus with its medical center.
Contents
What is the ICA?
The ICA was planned to be a unique art museum for the city. It focuses on contemporary art, which means art made in our time. Unlike many museums, the ICA is "noncollecting." This means it doesn't buy and keep art permanently. Instead, it brings in new and exciting art for temporary shows. This allows it to always feature fresh and different artworks from around the world.
The ICA is located at a busy intersection in Richmond's art scene. Lisa Freiman was the first director, helping to shape its vision. Later, Stephanie Smith became the first chief curator, and Lauren Ross was named the first curator. These leaders helped bring many interesting artists and exhibitions to the ICA.
The Building's Design
The architect, Steven Holl, wanted the museum to feel open and welcoming. He even said the building itself would have "an inviting sense of openness." A student named An Liu, who was an expert model builder, created many detailed models of the Markel Center. These models helped the museum staff plan how to use the space. The building's outside looks like sculptural blocks made of zinc and clear glass.
How the ICA Was Built
Building the ICA was a big project! Richard Sliwoski, who oversaw the construction for VCU, called it "the most structurally complex building" he had ever worked on.
Funding the Project
Many people helped raise money to build the ICA. Beverly Reynolds, who owned a local art gallery, was a major supporter. Bill and Pam Royal, along with Steve and Kathi Markel, led the fundraising efforts. Patsy Pettus gave a large gift of one million dollars to pay for the dramatic staircase designed by Steven Holl. These donations helped make the ICA a reality.
Construction Milestones
The groundbreaking ceremony happened in June 2014. During this event, colorful paint was splashed onto the site, and it was announced that the building would officially be called the Markel Center. By early 2017, the ICA building became a clear link between the old and new parts of Richmond. The ICA officially opened in April 2018.
Exhibitions and Events
The ICA is known for its diverse and exciting exhibitions. It brings in art from many different places and artists.
First Exhibitions
The very first exhibition at the ICA was called Declaration. It featured many artists and performers, including Tania Bruguera, GWAR, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, and Titus Kaphar. This show was a great way to introduce the public to the ICA's focus on contemporary art.
In 2016, while the building was still being built, the VCU library held an exhibition called ICA: A Forum of Ideas. This show helped students learn about the building's design, especially the large forum area and its staircase.
Notable Exhibitions
In 2018, the ICA featured Lee Mingwei's The Mending Project. This interactive art piece invited visitors to bring items that needed mending and watch them be repaired.
Another important exhibition was Great Force, which opened in October 2019. This show explored ideas about race and resistance in the United States. It featured works by artists like Radcliffe Bailey, Kevin Beasley, Alexandra Bell, Glenn Ligon, and Carrie Mae Weems.
Recognition and Leadership
The ICA quickly gained attention for its unique design and mission. In late 2017, Architectural Digest listed the ICA as one of the "12 Most Anticipated Buildings of 2018" worldwide. This showed how important the building was seen to be for Richmond.
Leadership Changes
In January 2018, Lisa Freiman, the ICA's first director, stepped down. Joseph H. Seipel, a former dean at VCU, became the interim director. Then, on September 6, 2018, Dominic Willsdon was named the new executive director. Willsdon came from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and had also worked at the Tate Modern in London. He started his new role on December 1, 2018.
Images for kids
-
The Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU at night.
