Regular or Super: Views on Mies van der Rohe (2009)
Directed by Joseph Hillel / Patrick Demers
Genres - Science & Technology |
Sub-Genres - Architecture & Design, Biography |
Run Time - 60 min. |
Countries - United States |
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Synopsis by Nathan Southern
This biographical documentary examines the life and many professional accomplishments of German-born architect Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969). Permanently associated with one overarching stylistic tenet - the concept that "less is more" - van der Rohe left an indelible impression on several metropolitan areas; his best-known creations include Manhattan's Seagram Building, Berlin's Neue Nationalgalerie, and Chicago's towering apartment houses on Lakeshore Drive. The program begins with an unusual illustration of the less-is-more philosophy - the creation of a simple Montreal gas station in 1967, late in van der Rohe's career - and from there, expands into a panoramic view of his life - from his instruction at Bauhaus in the '30s, through his departure to America, to his death in 1969 - and all of the astonishing creations in-between. Throughout, iconic architects turn up to comment on van der Rohe's work, including Elizabeth Diller, Rem Koolhaas and Phyllis Lambert.
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Themes
Keywords
architecture, artist, career-retrospective, designer, landmark, Minimalism, simplicity