Better Signage at The Knox?
BRO online –
You walk by the Met or MOMA in New York City, the National Gallery in D.C, or even any of the many museums in Toronto, and what do you see?
A large, often colorful and engaging “advertisement” for the current exhibitions and general goings-on inside of the museum (perfect example seen here). Walking by the Albright Knox, I see a great building with majestic architecture, but literally nothing that makes me want to walk in and see what new (or old!) is going on inside the museum.
I know for a fact that there are exhibitions and new things going on at the Albright all the time (the current Jennifer Steinkamp exhibit comes to mind). I’ve seen advertisements in Artvoice for Alright exhibits, but I rarely see too much beyond that. There is plenty of area to put a large, well-designed, inviting advertisement on the grounds of the Albright Knox museum – on the lawn facing Elmwood, on the façade facing Hoyt Pond, even on the façade facing the ramp that exits from the 198.
If arranged in a thoughtful manner, such an advertisement will not be a boon to the current architecture of the building, but rather and enhancement that will contiguously serve as a means to get more people through the doors.
- Brian T Pleban, (Buffalo, NY)
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Comment Options
phrank
I remember seeing banners advertising exhibitions and/or concerts on the main facade facing Hoyt Lake, but I don't think it did much good. It's set too far back from Lincoln Parkway which doesn't get enough traffic to warrant advertising anyway. Plus, banners really detracted from the beauty of the front of the building. I had my wedding pictures done on those steps and I was glad there weren't any signs there. And I bet that's a factor since there can be a dozen wedding groups doing photos on a busy summer Saturday. Advertising at the corner of Elmwood near the 198 is the way to go. Any proposed addition should incorporate advertising or a place for banners too.
But keep in mind - for everyone who thinks they need to better announce the events going on, there are probably just as many who will complain about ANY advertising anywhere near there. The key is to strike a balance.
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eliz
I have seen plenty of banners announcing shows at the Knox, but they are usually on the Elmwood side. I agree that you don't want to go overboard, and I agree the Elmwood side is where it makes the most sense to have it. They have had it there, quite often, and it's generally nicely done.
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GDC
Remember, these large banners do cost alot of money. Sometimes, when a new exhibit arrives, the money to advertise doesn't allows allow the amount to put such banners out. Would be great, but it seems other forms of promoting is cheaper such as online and magazine ads. But to get to the source, has anyone contacted the Albright-Knox directly on this issue?
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BuffedOut
Brian,
You are right. However, (Isn't here always a "however"?). I notice in the photo that you submitted a huge number of people sitting on the steps of the museum. When was the last time you saw that at the Albright Knox? The banners which are an excellent idea appeal to walk-ins in the large cities that you mention. Buffalo lacks the density of population these cities have.
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Downtownjunkie
BuffedOut- I see your point but wouldnt you agree that Elmwood Avenue is probably our most walkable area in teh region I think the fact that this idea may promote walkins is a plus.
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Dave
It looks like someone is building a huge blank gray billboard right across the street. That would be a good place to advertise.
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Laird3rd
They need to fix that whole section of elmwood to make it more pedestrian friendly. That Intersection between the Gallery and Buff state is awful looking. Take down those expressway street lights and put in something more to human scale.
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GDC
I agree, Laird, it is very busy and the cross bridge sidewalk is very narrow, especially in the winter time with sometimes just a narrow trail to walk through and cars wipping by so walking in the street is not an option. It seems it's only pedestrian friendly north of Forest Avenue where all the shops begin.
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EricOak
I think this is the least of the Albright-Knox's many problems.
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dagner
The entrance into AKAG itself is pedestrian unfriendly. If you cross Elmwood at the marked crosswalk at the south east corner of the Rockwell Hall block,as I frequently do, there is NO SIDEWALK to the Gallery. You must walk on the driveway. Check it on Google maps.
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BuffedOut
All of you have made such logical observations. There's no doubt in my mind that the Albright-Knox should make itself an imposing presence at its location. How can it might not be with its stunning architecture?
EricOak's point speaks to the fact that something is truly missing within the adminstration of the Gallery that goes deeper than its location. Have any of you been to the Legion of Honor in San Francisco? Talk about no pedestrian traffic, horrendous parking, yet because of population density and other demographics the place is packed.
The Gallery has to figure out how to make itself a desirable place to go and certainly for more than just the exhibitions.
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Sundial
The AKG doesn't plow the sidewalks on a regular basis in the winter which means I've had to walk across the street on the Buff State side. I've sent in complaints to the Mayor's line and hopefully in the future they will finally plow. An institution of that size should be heftily fined for that kind of thing. That kind of attitude coupled with the unfriendly crossing makes it a pedestrian's nightmare.
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EricOak
BuffedOut, Yes I agree..there is something missing at the core, in the soul, of the AK. I wish I felt there is a strong future for the gallery, but it seems to become more marginal every year.
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gaustad
EricO - for once we agree!!
I feel the same way. I don't know what the fuss is about - the AK is marginal at best - people speak of it like its the Prado in Madrid!
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Colin
So you're either the Prado, or you're marginal. Got it.
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gaustad
Colin - what is it in the AK that you like? I thought the blown glass exhibition was nice. other than that - the art in there is nothing to speak of...please enlighten me
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Colin
To paraphrase Mr. Burns, I don't know art, but I know what I hate -- and I don't hate the AK.
People that actually do know art also disagree with you. See for instance this recent BN blog entry: http://buffalonews.typepad.com/artsbeat/2008/05/peter-schjeldah.html
More than anything, though, I just think it's odd that you think that a cultural attraction should be on par with the Prado before folks here should talk it up or otherwise feel proud about it.
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EricOak
Gaustad, I would love to agree with you, but we haven't quite found the love yet. I didn't mean that the AK has not been an important museum; it really does have a world reputation among museum lovers. But I think those days are numbered because of the current management. The Albright-Knox has one of the most pedigreed traditions in the country, but that foudation has been whittled away in service to a painfully narrow vision for its future. One day this may change, but not under the current management.
Colin--your point is well taken. American cities do not have to be held to the standard of the royal collections of great European capitals to be important and meaningful.
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