Architect: I.M. Pei
Location: 401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, New York, USA
Photography: Jesse Ganes, Duane Schermerhorn, Iwan Baan, Ezra Stoller, Scott Basile
Year of Completion: 1968
The Everson Museum of Art, located in downtown Syracuse, New York, is an exemplary work of modernist architecture, designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei. Completed in 1968, the museum was Pei’s first museum commission and is celebrated for its innovative design that challenges traditional museum typologies. The museum not only serves as a container for art but stands as a monumental sculpture in its own right, embodying the ideals of modern art through its form and materiality.
Architectural Vision and Design
I.M. Pei designed the Everson Museum as a grand sculptural object, a departure from conventional museum architecture. The building is composed of four concrete volumes surrounding an open central atrium. These volumes are not uniform; each contains galleries of different sizes and heights, creating a dynamic visual composition that gives hierarchy to the museum’s overall form. The cantilevered second story of the museum adds a distinct visual element that sets it apart from the surrounding landscape.
The exterior of the museum is finished with striated, chiseled concrete, which gives the building a textured, handcrafted appearance. This Brutalist treatment reinforces the museum’s identity as a sculptural entity and evokes the artisanal quality of the art it houses. The museum’s design allows visitors to approach and interact with the building from all sides, akin to engaging with a sculpture.
Interior Layout and Visitor Experience
Visitors enter the museum through the gaps between the main concrete volumes, where natural light filters into the building. The central atrium serves as the heart of the museum, connecting the various gallery spaces. A grand spiral concrete staircase, a signature feature of Pei’s design, leads visitors to the second-floor galleries, which overlook the atrium. This circulation pattern not only guides visitors through the museum but also enhances their experience by emphasizing the architectural and sculptural qualities of each gallery space.
Concrete bridges connect the independent volumes, allowing visitors to move from gallery to gallery through the open atrium. This design creates a promenade that highlights the museum’s sculptural form, further reinforcing Pei’s vision of the building as an artwork in itself.
The Surrounding Plaza and Outdoor Art
The museum is set on an expansive open plaza that complements its sculptural nature. The plaza features various outdoor sculptures and a large reflecting pool, which formally relate to the building’s architectural language and scale. This integration of outdoor art enhances the museum’s connection to its urban environment and creates a dialogue between the building, its surroundings, and the artworks it contains.
Collections and Exhibitions
The Everson Museum houses approximately 11,000 pieces of American art, with a particular emphasis on ceramics. The museum’s ceramic collection is one of the most significant in the United States, featuring works by prominent artists such as Adelaide Alsop Robineau. The collection includes Robineau’s famous “Scarab Vase,” which reportedly took more than 1,000 hours to carve. The museum also played a crucial role in establishing the Ceramic National exhibitions, which became a preeminent juried event in the field of ceramics for over forty years.
In addition to ceramics, the Everson’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, video art, and works from the Arts and Crafts Movement. The museum was one of the first institutions in the United States to establish a video art collection, which has since grown to become the largest in the world. Notable artists such as Nam June Paik and Bill Viola have significant works in the museum’s collection, with Viola having started his career as a video technician at the Everson.
Recent Renovations and Developments
In recent years, the Everson Museum has undergone significant updates, including a redesign of its East Wing by the Los Angeles-based architecture firm MILLIØNS. This renovation, completed in 2022, focused on reimagining the museum’s café and public spaces, integrating the historic and modern elements of Pei’s original design. The redesign was inspired by the building’s relationship to light, and it aimed to enhance visibility and accessibility throughout the space.
The renovation was driven by a unique challenge: incorporating over 4,000 ceramics donated by collector Louise Rosenfield, which are now used daily by café visitors instead of being displayed behind glass. This innovative approach blends the functional and artistic, creating a space where art becomes part of everyday life.
Deaccessioning Controversy
In September 2020, the Everson Museum made headlines when its board of trustees voted to deaccession and sell a Jackson Pollock painting, “Red Composition, 1946,” to fund the acquisition of works by underrepresented artists. The decision, intended to address racial inequities in the museum’s collection, sparked controversy in the art world. The painting was sold at a Christie’s auction for $12 million, with the proceeds earmarked for diversifying the museum’s collection.
Skateboarding Culture
The Everson Museum has also played an unexpected role in the skateboarding culture of Syracuse. Since the mid-1980s, the museum’s plaza has been a popular spot for skateboarders, who were initially welcomed by the museum. Although skating in the plaza has since been prohibited, the location remains iconic in the skateboarding community, symbolizing a unique intersection of art, architecture, and urban culture.
The Everson Museum of Art is not just a repository of art; it is itself a masterpiece of modernist architecture. I.M. Pei’s design, with its bold use of concrete and sculptural form, continues to influence contemporary architectural thought and museum design. The Everson stands as a testament to the enduring power of modern architecture to create spaces that are not only functional but also deeply inspiring.
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Project Location
Address: Syracuse, New York, USA
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
