VCU architectural history symposium examines eastern influences on American architecture

By Lissette Linares

RICHMOND, Va. – The interaction between design in the Orient and the Americas will be explored in Virginia Commonwealth University’s eighth annual architectural history symposium, presented by the Department of Art History in the School of the Arts. Offered this year in collaboration with the 25th anniversary of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s architecture program, "East Meets West," will be held Sept. 22 at the Virginia Historical Society, 428 N. Boulevard, in Richmond, and on Nov. 4 at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., in Alexandria.

"The Eastern look has been fundamental to the modern aesthetic," said Charles Brownell, Ph.D., VCU professor of art history and conference co-organizer. "It has a certain exotic appeal and in the 19th and 20th centuries, offered a way to renew Western design, drawing upon fresh and untapped sources."

Brownell said the Asian influence, namely a sleekness and simplicity of design, can be seen in the facades of houses, in fireplaces, furniture, gardening and fixtures – but with a Western flair. He attributes the popularity of Eastern design in America to its intrinsic ties to simplicity, understatement and elegance.

Brownell points to Virginia’s many historical houses as prime examples of Eastern influence, particularly those belonging to VCU on West Franklin Street. "VCU’s East and West campuses are a wonderful laboratory for students to learn about architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the historical buildings are representative of key influences of the time."

For example, the Japanese’s use of asymmetry in design, unheard of until that time, is apparent in the façade of VCU’s McAdams House, 914 W. Franklin St., built in 1891. Asian influence also is apparent in the landscaping of the gardens in Richmond’s Maymont Park and throughout Virginia and the United States.

At the symposium, VCU and Virginia Tech graduate students and recent graduates will present research on the following topics:

• "The Japanese Influence on West Franklin Street, Richmond, in the 1880s and 1890s," Stephanie A. Jacobe, master’s student, VCU.

• "The Japanese Garden at Maymont in Richmond, Virginia," Elizabeth J. Barnett, master’s student, VCU.

• "Oriental Influence in the Work of Claude Bragdon," Eugenia Ellis, doctoral student, Virginia Tech.

• "Asian Influences on Grueby Art Pottery," Keaton Wynn, professional ceramist and master’s student at VCU.

• "Japanese and Chinese Influences on Art Deco Furniture," Jennifer L. Maatta, museum technician at the National Portrait Gallery and 2000 VCU graduate with a master’s in art history.

• "The Relationship of Geometrical Bodies in Eastern and Western architecture," Qi Zhu, doctoral student, Virginia Tech.

• "Scattering Seeds from the Garden of Allah: Mudejar Art and Architecture in the New World," James B. Kiracofe, Ph.D., recent graduate of environmental design and planning, Virginia Tech.

• "Modern Architecture in Taiwan after 1949," Li-wen Sung, doctoral student, Virginia Tech.

Other conference sponsors are the Virginia Historical Society, the Maymont Foundation and the Valentine, the Museum of Life and History of Richmond.

Admission to the Richmond and Alexandria symposium sessions is free for students, $8 for members of sponsoring institutions and $10 for the general public. For all participants, the cost to attend the post-conference reception is an additional $5. The deadline to register is Sept. 15 for Richmond and Oct. 23 for the Alexandria.

For more information or to register for the Richmond event, call 828-2784. To register for the Alexandria venue, call (540) 231-5582.