This Building Will Sing for All of Us

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art screens the documentary This Building Will Sing for All of Us (trailer, 28 minutes) May 12 during the museum’s Modernism + Film program.

When it opens to the public in 2016, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. will occupy the last remaining public space on the National Mall. The structure is currently under construction on a five-acre tract adjacent to the Washington Monument.

The museum’s design is the result of a collaboration among British architect David Adjaye, Durham-based architect Phil Freelon and the late Max Bond who came together in 2008 as Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup to compete for the design. The group prevailed over other star-studded teams jampacked with names such as Richard Meier, I.M. Pei and Norman Foster. 

Director Oliver Hardt’s documentary portrait of the museum’s chief architect, Adjaye, explores his design for the National Museum of African American History and Culture and focuses on the question of how Adjaye dealt with the challenge of building one of the most important buildings in African-American history. The documentary asks and answers what form historical, social and aesthetic considerations manifested in his design for the museum. This Building Will Sing for All of Us won the Best Documentary Short and the Documentary Short Audience Award at the BlackStar Film Festival 2014.

Time

An event reception with a cash-only bar and free light bites begins at 6 p.m. in the Bechtler lobby followed by the presentation and film screening at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

Tickets

Tickets are $10 for the public, $8 for museum members and $5 for students. Buy tickets (Tickets may also be purchased by phone 704.353.9200 or at the admissions desk.) Student tickets may be purchased at the door or by phone. Must present student ID to claim.

Image: Rendering of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C.