JAMES GARRETT JR, AIA, NOMA
4RM+ULA ARCHITECTS
Towards an Art-Integrated Architecture
M 30 Sep | 5:00pm | Kresge Theatre
Hans Vetter Memorial Lecture
The School of Architecture 2019 Fall Lecture Series welcomes James Garrett Jr from 4RM+ULA Architects on Monday 30 September at 5:00pm in Kresge Theatre.
His talk “Towards an Art-Integrated Architecture” will discuss his firm’s revival of the tradition of art-integration, the art program, and the artist being seated at the right hand of the architect.
TOWARDS AN ART-INTEGRATED ARCHITECTURE Throughout human history, from the Nile Valley and Fertile Crescent civilizations up until the Art Deco era, art and artisanship were seen as integral elements of the building design and construction process; architectural sculptors and artists were often the first people sought out by prominent architects to help execute important commissions. 4RM+ULA has revived that tradition of art-integration, the art program, and the artist being seated at the right hand of the architect.
JAMES GARRETT JR was born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, to American parents who returned stateside when he was young. Garrett spent his formative years in St. Paul, Minnesota, where his interest in cities was sparked. Growing up in the post-industrial era that gave rise to hip-hop culture and graffiti writing, he has made it his mission to reconnect art and architecture. His work as the founding partner of St. Paul’s 4RM+ULA combines resiliency and dynamic expression in the form of vibrant color and diverse media. Founded in 2002, the firm has evolved into a full-service practice focused on transit design and transit-oriented development.