I listened recently to the podcast of a CityClub address by David Franklin, the CMA's new director.  It was no surprise, but still awesome to hear that the museum folks are completely aware how awesome the new atrium space will be for the whole community, not just the museum.  That is going to be one bad ass space.

I have been a member of this website since the beginning (nearly) and I know how annoying it is to hear expats ask about updates about projects... "If theres an update we will post" yada yada... that being said... can some one get over to the CMA and take some photos.  This Clevelander in Georgia would really appreciate it!  Thanks in advance.

and yes living in rural Georgia makes me an expat.  Don't believe me?  Try it for yourself.

Where ya been FerrariEnzo? Did you join the Witness Protection Program??

 

I did a Google search on "cleveland museum of art construction update" and found this resource:

http://positivelycleveland.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/whats-happening-with-construction-at-the-cleveland-museum-of-art/

 

Also, check this site from time to time:

http://www.clevelandart.org/about/the%20building%20project.aspx

and yes living in rural Georgia makes me an expat.  Don't believe me?  Try it for yourself.

 

I hear you.  I am living in north central Florida... I might go crazy if I had to stay here any longer.  Good news in 3 weeks I move back to Ohio.

It looks like at the end of this year, University Circle will be seeing a HUGE influx of contemporary art with the MOCA and the east wing reopening about the same time.

 

Cleveland Museum of Art to close contemporary galleries for 6 months to fix leaks, revamp art installation

Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 5:20 AM   

Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Even before its $350 million expansion and renovation is finished, the Cleveland Museum of Art is closing its new East Wing contemporary galleries for six months to fix interior leaks caused by condensation.

 

The good news, the museum says, is that it’s using the hiatus to speed up efforts to devote more space, time and energy than ever before to contemporary art.

 

“Out of misfortune comes opportunity,” David Franklin, the museum’s director, said in an interview last week, describing the leaks, the museum’s response and how they connect to the new thrust in contemporary art.

 

Starting Monday, March 5, the museum will close the 3-year-old East Wing contemporary galleries for six months to replace insulation that failed, causing condensation and drips just inside the windows of art-conservation labs on the floor below.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2012/02/cleveland_museum_of_art_will_c.html#incart_hbx

New atrium construction pics from February 2012 posted on the museum's website.

 

http://www.clevelandart.org/about/the%20building%20project.aspx

 

Lookin' good.

http://www.coolcleveland.com/blog/2012/04/video-sneak-peek-inside-cmas-spectacular-new-atrium-with-director-david-franklin/

 

check out the new atrium video.  The facade of the 1912 building looks amazing.

Fire Food & Drink's Doug Katz hard at work on becoming Cleveland Museum of Art's 'signature chef'

Published: Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 11:59 AM    Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 3:44 PM

Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer By Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer

 

Doug Katz, chef-owner of Fire Food & Drink at Shaker Square, is hard at work planning for the launch of his new restaurant and other food-service involvement this fall at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

 

Katz will be the museum's signature chef, in partnership with Bon Appetit Management, which will produce dishes for events held at the University Circle landmark.

 

"I'm working on catering menus for the museum and will start working on restaurant menus as soon as catering has been finalized," he says.

 

A late-October opening is anticipated, Katz says. Although the name of his new restaurant has been determined, he adds, museum officials are not yet prepared to release details.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2012/06/fire_food_drinks_doug_katz_har.html

Was here today on my first visit back to Ohio in two years.  This place is going to be amazing when completed.  Bon Appetit does the food currently served in the small deli.  I took a look and it is really quality food.  Took my mom (her first time at the museum, amazingly enough) and she had a great time.  This is a woman who never goes to Cleveland and she commented on how much construction was going on.  Her other quote: "There is a lot of money here".  I have less kind thoughts about Uptown's construction quality, but that's for another thread.

Looks amazing... I can't wait for this to open. I sometimes forget what a massive project this is.

 

Thanks for the photo.

Appropriate time for it...tonight's the big party.

If anybody goes to the Solstice party tonight report back (I have heard amazing things about).  This was to be my year to go, but looks like next year.

 

The atrium opens in October! 

 

 

stunning space!

Here's my contribution; I'd hoped to get more pics of the atrium but it was such a great party and a beautiful night. Ah well.

 

Open view from French impressionists gallery.

 

 

 

And who is the lovely lady?

It's very minor news - but stumbled across the as yet (I believe) unannounced name of Doug Katz' new CMA restaurant while looking through project info on the CMA site. In a late June PD article, Katz had said museum was not ready to announce yet...

 

"Provenance" is the restaurant name.

 

http://www.clevelandart.org/support%20v2/building%20project/the%20project.aspx

 

From today - this is going to be aaaamazing when finished:

 

Structurally, it looks like an airport terminal! Internally, I'll have to wait and see until it's built-out to decide what it looks like. :)

Beautiful....Cleveland's new living room.

This inspires me; art museums rank high among my favorite places to visit in any city, and looking back at photos on my web site I just realized that I haven't visited Cleveland since the UO get-together on the final Goodtime III TGIF cruise of the season in 2007. I really do need to grace the city with my presence again. :wink:

Thanks for the pic MayDay

A true new showpiece for CLE

I was at the Art Museum over the weekend - you finally get a chance to see how the atrium relates to the other wings of the museum, and how the traffic will flow through the museum, into the atrium and then out the other sides.

 

After these last three years or so, I've gotten tired of the "Art Detour" through the basement.

 

Oh yes, the "Youth and Beauty in the 20's" show was very nice - at least one whole room was devoted to urban-themed art.

 

I absolutely cannot wait for this to be finished. I was there with a few others last weekend, and I was incredibly happy to be able to see the atrium. Its going to be such a gorgeous space, and the overall plan for the building is becoming much more apparent.

 

I wasn't sold on the initial design. It appears so brutal and outdated from the exterior, but the experience of the museum and textures will surely make up for it in my mind. Something to be very proud of.

I believe the atrium will be open in October, so it won't be long

It's very minor news - but stumbled across the as yet (I believe) unannounced name of Doug Katz' new CMA restaurant while looking through project info on the CMA site. In a late June PD article, Katz had said museum was not ready to announce yet...

 

"Provenance" is the restaurant name.

http://www.clevelandart.org/support%20v2/building%20project/the%20project.aspx

 

So the mystery restaurant was finally publically unveiled, even though dwirthwein found it nearly 5 weeks ago..  Anyway here is more info with some renderings from the PD:

 

Cleveland Museum of Art offers a first look at its new restaurants, 'Provenance' and 'Provenance Cafe'

Published: Tuesday, August 07, 2012, 7:00 PM By Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer

Closely held plans for a restaurant, cafe and private dining facilities attached to the Cleveland Museum of Art's soon-to-debut central atrium have finally been revealed.

 

Provenance, a 76-seat fine-dining restaurant and lounge occupying roughly 1,200 square feet, and Provenance Cafe, a 67-seat casual-dining spot with an additional 144 seats extending into the adjacent atrium, will open Sunday, Oct. 28.

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2012/08/cleveland_museum_of_art_offers.html#incart_mrt

 

Sounds awesome.  Will be a huge upgrade over the previous food options at the museum. 

oh wow a fine dining restaurant along with the cafe. great idea - this will be like 'the modern' restaurant is to moma, which is to say awesome.

 

I was at the art museum yesterday and the atrium is getting more plants...I'll upload a picture when I get home from work. I was looking at the museum from a couple blocks away and noticed how disgusting the elevator shafts look at the top. They are brown concrete (or whatever material) rising above the roof. Has anyone else noticed that?

^Yeah, I've definitely noticed.  I'm not sure yet how much it bothers me, but they definitely look raw and unfinished compared to the rest of the complex.

Yeah I noticed when they built just the one.  They are indeed odd, but at least they are on both sides now and the oddness balances out as if they serve a purpose (which they do).

I know they are functional, but I'm hoping they at least throw some matching paint on it haha!  Here's a pic looking into the atrium.

IMG_2650 by lilblondiecan2003, on Flickr

Took a brief walk through the museum last night as I was in UC for WOW. As we have all seen, the atrium is looking amazing. But I was equally happy to see some of the reworked gallery areas, specifically the areas where the current mid-east art is being held. So much brighter and easy to view the pieces.

Cannot wait for this to be complete.

 

CMA expansion received a blurb I the NY Times yesterday:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/13/arts/design/cleveland-museum-buys-antiquities-stirs-ethics-debates.html

 

A great set of photographs of the atrium area which is close to opening

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott-pease-architectural-photography/page2/

Mandel Foundation donates $7.5 million to Cleveland Museum of Art expansion and renovation

Published: Tuesday, August 21, 2012, 6:00 PM    Updated: Tuesday, August 21, 2012, 6:36 PM

Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer

 

The much-beloved Armor Court at the Cleveland Museum of Art was in its second decade in the 1930s when a young Morton Mandel visited for the first time on a school trip.

 

He was electrified by the shields, broadswords, tapestries and battle armor on view — and savors the memory.

 

“The Armor Court is in my psyche,” he says. “I’ve always been dazzled by it.”

 

Now a highly successful businessman and philanthropist, Mandel is showing gratitude by donating $7.5 million through his family’s foundation to push the museum’s eight-year, $350 million expansion and renovation closer to completion.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2012/08/mandel_foundation_donates_75_m.html

A surprise soft-opening for the new Atrium

 

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2012/08/cleveland_museum_of_art_opens.html

 

We were there Wednesday and I remember thinking it looked ready for people then.

:clap: So excited!  I wasnt expecting that.  I cant wait to see it

 

Fantastic!

Talk about being surprised I just mentioned this last night as somethig that wouldnt happen until October

AMazed that they kept this idea under wraps.

Just a few from my phone yesterday. I have more on my camera I'll post later. The atrium is really unbelievable. You have to see it on person to really understand how massive the space is, yet at the same time incredible peaceful, cool (as in the temperature!) and relaxing. There were quite a few people there around 6pm and it was fun just to sit an watch the reactions of people walking in for the first time. Everyone was first speechless and then could not stop raving about it to everyone around them. Can't wait to see the completed project. It felt like I'd never been to the museum before, everything flows so much better.

so is the long detour no longer?

No. When you walk into the front entrance you immediately see all the way into the atrium.  I have better pictures on the way. It shows the layout.

I can't wait to see it furnished with some art and furniture!  Looks incredible, but also really naked!  That space is going to be an amazing amenity, especially Nov-March.

Wow stunning.  Cant wait to see in person.  Love the bamboo as well, but why do the beds of pothos (other beds of greenery/vines) look hilly/wavy?

 

Also will be amazing when the restaurant opens up to this space. 

So what airlines serve that concourse?

It is empty but it works well. Idk what the plans call for but like I said, even now it is absolutely amazing. The plant beds are undulated and there are wavy black dividers in them. My first thought KJP was holy crap this is bigger than an airplane hanger!!! Lol

 

Great pictures mrclifton.

Definitely a masive space and Im excited to see it utilized to the fullest extent.

 

 

I was there yesterday morning and am adding some,