It’s all in the process: a new show explores the work of Richard Meier

A new show at Chicago’s Mana Contemporary looks into the process behind some of Richard Meier’s most iconic work. 'Richard Meier: Process and Vision', which opens this weekend as part of the opening festivities of the very first Chicago Architecture Biennale, explores contrasts and different approaches within the architect’s designs and artwork.

Four of the practice’s seminal projects, the Getty Center, the High Museum of Art, the Canal+ Headquarters and the Arp Museum, as well as four of its most recent projects in the United States, Latin America, and the Middle East act as case studies in the exhibition, illustrating the special set of challenges an architecture project can encounter – be it social, environmental, technological or financial. Architectural drawings, sketches, and study models that explore the design processes, which helped overcome such challenges, are a key part of this show.

Art complements the architecture. Celebrating the iconic architect’s international body of work, this exhibition also features displays of mixed-media silkscreen prints created by Meier himself, blending art and design. Rich in colour and detail, the artworks seem to almost contradict the architect’s signature clean lines and neutral palette – they are, however, an invaluable piece in the development of each project and offer a unique insight into the architect’s exploration of forms and design strategies.