Most public art sucks: Milton Glaser takes on Brutalism

Milton Glaser was commissioned in the early 1970s to do a public art project on Evans Woollen's bruatlist building in downtown Indianapolis. Was it successful? We dive into it.
Here's a link to the video the GSA made after the restoration was complete:
• Art in Architecture: M...
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[@sararichardson737]

P’haps if Glaser had done the mural in shades of concrete it would’ve been more successful. As it is , it very much looks like the commission was an after thought

[@christopherwestpresents]

I think you, I and the architect agree!

[@BobPagani]

It reminds of when a dying mall puts an ad/mural facade on the empty stores. This was well-intentioned but it doesn't contradict the several stories of ugliness above it.

[@christopherwestpresents]

Lipstick on a pig?

[@sarahshh_later]

I love that you covered this. Growing up in Indy I always thought that his mural made a government building look like the Museum-Go_round from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood which made me happy. As an adult I have often thought of the juxtaposition of a government building, to me, looking like the Museum-Go-Round from the land of make believe.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I am loving the term ‘museum-go-round’!

[@robertdavenport6705]

IMHO , it looks like nothing so much as temporary fencing hiding the construction of the real ground level facade. But it did happen in an era of a lot of unfortunate graphic/colour stuff that proved to date very quickly.

[@christopherwestpresents]

That’s true. Maybe in another 20 years we’ll come to appreciate it.

[@h0mersapien]

Another gem, thanks so much for sharing Chris! As for whether or not it works, sure? I think the structure benefits from having the art lift the weight of the building. I might also add that your photography in this video helped me notice angles, shadows and color I hadn't in the past.

[@christopherwestpresents]

Thanks so much Aaron! I do think the mural is most successful at night with the lights, and I think the architecture here is best up close.

[@seanledden4397]

I interpret Glaser's use of a rainbow color pallet as a failure of nerve, or inspiration. He needed to show his worth as an artist by picking colors that suited the situation. By slapping them all up on the walls, he abdicated that responsibility. In addition, the rainbow gives the project the feel of an elementary school art class. Finally, I don't think painting a bunch of colors onto concrete justifies the name "mural." - Apologies for being so harsh, but I just don't see how this project succeeds in any way. (Except maybe in the evening, when the lights come on. That would be more fun to look at.)

[@christopherwestpresents]

I don’t disagree with any of this. And I had the same thought about it being more suited for a playground.

[@seanledden4397]

@@christopherwestpresents Thanks for the reply! I actually do have sympathy for Glaser. He did so much great work! I wonder if he originally thought of doing something that had the "umph" of his magazine work. If so, what stopped that?

[@mitchmagee]

Would have worked well as a color gradient in small reflective tile, I think-more intergraded into the architectural space. I'm imagining something like the Color Tunnels in the LAX airport.

[@christopherwestpresents]

That’s a good point. I hadn’t thought of that but I think you’re right.

[@annedebthune3084]

I like the idea of color added to this concrete fort but these pastel shades purple or any color is 🤢! It looks like ageing public housing!

[@christopherwestpresents]

I think most people agree with you!

[@wtfwtf89]

This is the perfect example of what NOT to do. Brutalism's impact is also why it's so loved/hated - it's uncompromising, ancient-like monolithic aesthetic that brings to mind the awesome monuments of past civilizations. He is directly working against the power of the architecture by putting makeup on the structure with banal and totally out of place colours.

[@christopherwestpresents]

This is very well said. Bad idea for this type of structure.

[@kenkelly5848]

Always informative. It certainly dilutes the brutalist and creates a more playful public space. I am sure as well that when it is situated the colour reflected in the mall would lead you into the colour mural. Maybe?

[@christopherwestpresents]

I’m pretty sure that was the intention. Just not sure they pulled it off.

[@ratboy4169]

I like it, inverted pyramid with color & light on the peak but the peak is ground floor. The benches outside to enjoy the colors & a glow of light at night.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I think it’s definitely most successful at night.

[@TimothyRedburn]

Great video. The mural doesnt really do much for me. Its not good or bad I'd say. Uninspiring like another comment said. However i do like the lights. Thats probably my favorite bit. I think he could have done something with the pillars as well and that might have added a bit more to it.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I think it’s most successful at night with the lights on.

[@jeffreyday2414]

I'm very surprised that anyone thought adding this kind of artwork -- or any -- to this kind of building. That said, I think Glaser's process and the work are successful (from what i can see here.) Pretty much what you said.

[@christopherwestpresents]

A big mural does pretty much seem to contradict the idea of brutalism.

[@outtakontroll3334]

glaser was one of the great men of design and illustration of his era.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I totally agree.

[@ronjohnson4566]

i live 100 miles away and have never seen or heard of this building. my first impression was, no way this still exists. my second, Milton Glaser did this? I knew he was open to changing his "style" to solve the aesthetic of the piece. and I can see if the 70s had 2020 lighting solutions, I could see using lighting but in a better way. i never liked Flavin and others who attempted the use of lighting. this building is a beautiful piece of architecture but the underpinnings look more like any parking garage under a massive building. And the mural itself looks like a minimalist grad student-level solving a purposed budgeted mural. i keep looking for something to save it, but when you are offered a job to paint an old basement, you get a painted old basement. if Flavin was offered this job and had unlimited money. i could see him doing 1001 vertical fluorescent rainbow lights ala Julian Stanczak's, "Additional".

[@christopherwestpresents]

James Turrell was planning on doing a light installation on the exterior of the library just down from this building on the park. Having both together might have made this more interesting.

[@johnconn982]

Well Christopher, I have no thoughts to share but his vision does leave me uninspired, however I would have like to hear his thoughts ( guess I have a thought after all).

[@christopherwestpresents]

Uninspired is a pretty good way to put it. The GSA did a short video on this too after the restoration and he spoke a bit about it. I’ll add a link to that in the description.

[@CRUCIFi777]

That’s what I would call a work over a work of art.

[@christopherwestpresents]

Ha. Well said.

[@RinoaL]

This aimless use of colours makes me think of how corporations took the 1970s / schoolhouse rock style starting in the 2010s. They didn't implement what they saw, just the generic aspects of it.

[@christopherwestpresents]

Hadn’t thought of school house rock, but that totally makes sense!

[@star_wars_miniatures]

Another piece of public art that didn’t work was Anish Kapoor’s stupid helta skelta weird red slide thingy he was commissioned to make for the 2012 London Olympics. It’s a shame as he’s done some other very successful public artwork

[@christopherwestpresents]

I agree with this! I also like the Bean in Chicago.

[@star_wars_miniatures]

@@christopherwestpresents yea!! The bean is actually a beautiful sculpture adored by millions! I watched an interview where Anish actually said that he never named it the bean, it’s got an actual title but the public named it that so it stuck!

[@justinflownow]

During the day it looks janky. But at night when the light show is on I like it.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I think I feel the same way.

[@dennischiapello7243]

I'm not convinced, either. But the bright, saturated colors of his usual work is watered down here, halfway toward pastels. It seems like a good concept that doesn't make the impact it should. It's recessive; in fact, it's literally recessed. And if, as others here say, it works better with the lights at night, then that's partly because the rest of the building is disappearing from view.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I agree it’s inching towards pastel, and does lack impact.

[@mccormickstudio]

I would be curious to know if the commission occurred during or after the design. Knowing a bit about Evans Woollen (and his ego), I suspect he is not the collaborative type. And his comment is bonkers. That said, I think Glaser approached the project with a light hand, a mature solution. I think it softens the experience of the formidable approach to the building, and works well as part of the architecture. As a work of public art - it speaks softly. I agree with another commenter that colored mosaic tile would have emboldened the work. I suspect the project budget allowed for paint and lighting. Bottom line: The experience of that building (walking into the IRS, FBI or other places you don't want to go!) is better because of the mural.

[@christopherwestpresents]

From what I gathered from my research, I think the building was underway when Glaser was brought on board. I can only imagine Woollen was only accepting of this because Glaser was already pretty established at this time.

[@markielinhart]

To my mind Milton Glaser can do no wrong. Pushpin Graphics forever! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…

[@christopherwestpresents]

Fair enough! I do like Glaser for the most part - just don’t love this project.

[@TomaszRakowski]

Overall absolute eyesore, but I'm generally difficult as far as art is concerned.

[@christopherwestpresents]

Fair enough! But I really appreciate you watching and the comment!

[@Nashvillain10SE]

Another interesting video. I'm not sure of my opinion of this particular art project.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I think that’s how most people feel - it’s not terrible, but also not inspiring.

[@Nashvillain10SE]

@@christopherwestpresents Bingo!

[@nikita3.14]

Cool!

[@christopherwestpresents]

Thanks!

[@ralphacosta3891]

art comforts the uncomfortable, and makes the comfortable uncomfortable

[@christopherwestpresents]

I’m comfortable agreeing with this.

[@PRH123]

Wouldn't call it a "mural," it's just a painted wall. It makes you think someone opened a daycare center or something on the 1st floor. It's not an artwork, thats for sure.

[@christopherwestpresents]

Ironically, there is a daycare with a playground on the other side.

[@seanfaherty]

Academia has taken the focus of art from beauty to impact. For the worse in my opinion. I’m old. The more you need to explain art the less it works.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I think the most successful art combines both.

[@seanfaherty]

@@christopherwestpresents fair enough. I would propose that it is not art without both.

[@cthymnn2010]

Honestly it looks like a feeble attempt at fixing the aesthetic (which I personally find disturbing) of brutalism.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I like SOME brutalism, but I agree this was not the best effort.

[@printface4935]

Perhaps if the mural weren't as simplistic as the building I could see it working. If there were figures, action, abstracted forms; some complex visual movement and color composition that would diametrically oppose the stark nature of the building, then I could see it possibly being successful; but as it is, I think it's a let down.

[@christopherwestpresents]

Someone commented a gradient with small ceramic tiles. I think that could work too.

[@timeenoughforart]

Lipstick on a pig? Brutalism is a good term for the destruction of nature, small businesses, families, and soul that I matured into in the 70's. Art reflects life and that death of soul is ugly. Materialism, greed, and self-centeredness overtook beauty.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I don’t mind Brutalism in small doses. But too much can be bad.

[@ellabiondi1251]

Andy Goldsworthy most knock out piece of all shown!

[@christopherwestpresents]

I do love Goldsworthy!

[@robertarisz8464]

Meuh - it is not really great. Not really much of anything for that matter.

[@christopherwestpresents]

I think that’s pretty much the consensus.

[@PiOhMy]

I'm a big Milton Glaser fan... but this work doesn't engage me at all.

[@christopherwestpresents]

This pretty much sums up my feelings as well.

Neither the building nor the mural are successful. Oppressive and condescending.

[@christopherwestpresents]

It’s not my favorite building either, but I like it more than the mural!