Gillo Dorfles's New York: A 1956 Vision of Art and Architecture
In 2018, Gillo Dorfles's 1956 essay 'New York attraverso gli occhi di Dorfles' was republished, providing an Italian critic's perspective on the art scene in New York City. Initially featured in 'Civiltà delle Macchine' (March-April 1956), it now appears in 'La mia America' (Skira, 2018, €25, ISBN 9788857238074), edited by Luigi Sansone. Dorfles characterizes Manhattan as a 'colossal denture' that fuses functionality with artistry. He explores Frederick Kiesler's studio, admiring his 'Endless House' and 'Great Galaxy' sculptures. Additionally, he visits J.J. Sweeney's residence, showcasing works by Calder, Miró, Picasso, Matisse, and Mondrian, and encounters artists like Pollock and de Kooning in 57th Street galleries. Dorfles contrasts modernist and organic architecture, reflecting on the ephemeral nature of NYC's buildings, including Lever House (Gordon Bunshaft, 1950-52), ultimately asserting that American art represents a conflict between mechanistic order and organic rebellion.
Key facts
- Gillo Dorfles's essay 'New York attraverso gli occhi di Dorfles' originally published in 1956 in 'Civiltà delle Macchine'.
- The essay is republished in the 2018 book 'La mia America' (Skira, €25, ISBN 9788857238074), edited by Luigi Sansone.
- Dorfles describes New York as a 'colossal denture' and emphasizes its mechanical functionality.
- He visits Frederick Kiesler's studio at 14th Street and 7th Avenue, viewing the 'Endless House' and 'Great Galaxy'.
- Dorfles visits J.J. Sweeney's home on East End Avenue, seeing works by Calder, Miró, Picasso, Matisse, and Mondrian.
- He tours galleries on 57th Street: Janis, Kootz, Pointeexter, Viviano, Parson, Stable.
- Artists mentioned include Pollock, de Kooning, Rothko, Gorky, Tobey, David Smith, Lassaw, Hare, Roszak, Cavallon, Guston.
- Dorfles contrasts mechanistic architecture (Mies, Johnson, Skidmore) with organic architecture (Wright, Goff) and Abstract Expressionist painting.
Entities
Artists
- Gillo Dorfles
- Frederick Kiesler
- J.J. Sweeney
- Alexander Calder
- Joan Miró
- Pablo Picasso
- Henri Matisse
- Piet Mondrian
- Jackson Pollock
- Willem de Kooning
- Mark Rothko
- Arshile Gorky
- Mark Tobey
- David Smith
- Ibram Lassaw
- Robert Hare
- Theodore Roszak
- Giorgio Cavallon
- Philip Guston
- Mies van der Rohe
- Philip Johnson
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- Bruce Goff
- Gordon Bunshaft
- Luigi Sansone
- George Wittenborn
- Albers
- Glarner
- Gabo
Institutions
- Guggenheim Museum
- Janis Gallery
- Kootz Gallery
- Pointeexter Gallery
- Viviano Gallery
- Parson Gallery
- Stable Gallery
- The Contemporaries
- Lever House
- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
- Julliard School of Music
- Skira
- Artribune
Locations
- New York
- Manhattan
- 14th Street
- 7th Avenue
- East End Avenue
- East River
- 57th Street
- Madison Avenue
- 60th Street
- 70th Street
- 80th Street
- Park Avenue
- Central Park
- Greenwich Village
- Washington Square
- New Canaan
- Connecticut
- Delaware River
- Newcastle
- Philadelphia
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Washington Bridge
- Hudson River
- New York City
- United States
- Italy
- Europe