Synopses & Reviews
andlt;bandgt;andlt;iandgt;Bridge to Understandingandlt;/iandgt;, highlights hundreds of the finest Asian paintings, sculptures, and textiles from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco as well as the architecture of the new building itself.andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;In the spring of 2003 the Asian Art Muesumand#8212;home to one of the world's most significant collections of Asian artand#8212;moved into a historic building, reconfigured by the renowned architect Gae Aulenti, in the dynamic heart of San Francisco. The occasion is an important event not only for the institution but also for the city, which now more than ever may serve as a bridge between East and West.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Celebrating the museum's stunning new home, andlt;iandgt;Bridge to Understandingandlt;/iandgt; showcases both the beauty of the building and the depth of the collection, highlighting many treasures that could not previously be displayed. Exploring the museum's role in promoting cross-cultural understanding, the text interweaves the history of the museum with the history of the city. it delves into the development, construction, and renovation of the building, which retains such historic features as a monumental beaux arts staircase, while adding a dramatic indoor / outdoor escalator, a new third level, and signature V-shaped skylights that illuminate an indoor courtyard designed by the architect on the model of an Italian andlt;iandgt;piazzaandlt;/iandgt;.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Featuring a full-color gallery of Asian masterworks from the museum's collection, andlt;iandgt;Bridge to Understandingandlt;/iandgt; confirms the museum's significance as one of the foremost institutions of Asian art in the world.
Synopsis
andlt;iandgt;Bridge to Understandingandlt;/iandgt;, commemorating the opening of the new Asian Art Museum in the spring of 2003, is a comprehensive introduction to the museum and its collections. The book traces the history of both the museum and its new home, the former main public library in San Francisco's Civic Center; discusses architect Gae Aulenti's transformation of the dark, gloomy library into a bright, dynamic modern museum; and leads the reader on a unique exploration of the galleries, featuring room-by-room discussions of some of the museum's most intriguing (and until now most seldom displayed) works, presented here in high-quality, full-color, full-page reproductions.
Synopsis
Bridge to Understanding, highlights hundreds of the finest Asian paintings, sculptures, and textiles from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco as well as the architecture of the new building itself.
In the spring of 2003 the Asian Art Muesum--home to one of the world's most significant collections of Asian art--moved into a historic building, reconfigured by the renowned architect Gae Aulenti, in the dynamic heart of San Francisco. The occasion is an important event not only for the institution but also for the city, which now more than ever may serve as a bridge between East and West.
Celebrating the museum's stunning new home, Bridge to Understanding showcases both the beauty of the building and the depth of the collection, highlighting many treasures that could not previously be displayed. Exploring the museum's role in promoting cross-cultural understanding, the text interweaves the history of the museum with the history of the city. it delves into the development, construction, and renovation of the building, which retains such historic features as a monumental beaux arts staircase, while adding a dramatic indoor / outdoor escalator, a new third level, and signature V-shaped skylights that illuminate an indoor courtyard designed by the architect on the model of an Italian piazza.
Featuring a full-color gallery of Asian masterworks from the museum's collection, Bridge to Understanding confirms the museum's significance as one of the foremost institutions of Asian art in the world.
Synopsis
A comprehensive introduction to the new Asian Art Museum in San Francisco's Civic Center
Synopsis
Bridge to Understanding, commemorating the opening of the new Asian Art Museum in the spring of 2003, is a comprehensive introduction to the museum and its collections. The book traces the history of both the museum and its new home, the former main public library in San Francisco's Civic Center; discusses architect Gae Aulenti's transformation of the dark, gloomy library into a bright, dynamic modern museum; and leads the reader on a unique exploration of the galleries, featuring room-by-room discussions of some of the museum's most intriguing (and until now most seldom displayed) works, presented here in high-quality, full-color, full-page reproductions.
About the Author
Text and editing by andlt;Thomas Christensenandlt;/bandgt;. Featured photography by Asian Art Museum photographer andlt;bandgt;Ka Tsurutaandlt;/bandgt;.