Developed in conjunction with the Charlotte chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art’s Architecture + Film series investigates themes in modern and contemporary architecture through the lens of film.

On March 16, the museum will screen My Architect: A Son’s Journey, a documentary written, directed and produced by Nathaniel Kahn, the only son of architect Louis Kahn. In 1974, Kahn was found dead from a heart attack in a restroom at New York's Penn Station. Although Kahn was considered among the most influential post-war 20th-century American architects, his body remained unidentified for days.

Filmgoers follow Nathaniel Kahn on a personal quest to find out more about his father’s secretive life (which included juggling three families) and his professional successes. Nathaniel surveys Kahn’s architectural accomplishments across the globe including the Yale Art Gallery, the Salk Institute, the Kimbell Art Museum and the National Assembly Building in Bangladesh. He also interviews associates Frank Gehry, I.M. Pei and Philip Johnson.

Variety called My Architect: A Son’s Journey “a quietly moving documentary.” The film was nominated for the 2003 Academy Award for Documentary Feature.

A short presentation led by architectural writer J. Michael Welton will precede the screening.

Running time: 116 minutes

The event reception begins at 6 p.m., the discussion and film screening at 7 p.m. Please enter through the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.

TICKETS

Tickets are $15 and include access to museum galleries, light bites and one drink voucher. Tickets may be purchased online, by phone 704.353.9200 or at the visitor services desk.

Upcoming Architecture + Film offerings:

April 20 – Eames: The Architect and the Painter

May 18 – How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster

June 15 – Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio

The Bechtler's Architecture + Film series is sponsored by HDR

Image: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California. © 2003 Louis Kahn Project, Inc.