Theater for the 21st century?
As presented today by architect Liz Diller of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, plans for the redevelopment of Lincoln Center are a breathtaking vision of the architectural possibilities for performing arts venues in the future.
One highlight will be a curved lawn on top of a glass-sided restaurant–described by Lincoln Center Chairman Frank A. Bennack, Jr. as a “champagne below, brown bag on top” concept (probably not realizing that brown bags in parks are no longer associated with sack lunches) and to be covered with grass of an otherworldly green color (Diller described the color as “Antonioni green,” probably referring to the Day-Glo grass in BLOW-UP). Technology is everywhere–the main stairway leading up to the plaza will feature embedded LED screens rolling across each step with Lincoln Center program information, there will be interactive information kiosks at locations across the campus, and even the iconic fountain will be specially programmed to perform magic tricks, like creating a puffy cloud of water hovering in mid-air above the fountain’s base.
The sleekest element of the redevelopment is the new interior design for Alice Tully Hall. The space will be lined with a “high performance” wood surface that covers a lighting system, so that the wood appears to glow from within; when a performance is about to begin, instead of the lights flashing or the curtain parting, the walls will “blush” a warm red color. Beautiful.
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