Two lectures about father-son Finnish-American architects and designers Eliel and Eero Saarinen will be presented by the Scandinavian Studies program and the Department of Art on Thursday, Oct. 9.
The lectures, part of Leif Erikson Day at the university, are free and open to students, faculty, staff and the public. They will be from 7-8 p.m. in 3 Nelson Hall, with a reception to follow immediately. On-campus parking is free after 6.30 p.m.
The two lectures will provide background and additional information on the Saarinens’ work (on exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Walker Art Center until Jan. 4).
Paul Wilson, doctoral candidate at the University of Minnesota and instructor at Macalester College, will introduce Eero Saarinen’s work and legacy, and will explain the connection between the Saarinen phenomenon and the “cult” of modernist architecture in Finland.
Ozayr Saloojee, U of M School of Architecture faculty member, will speak about Christ Church Lutheran – a Saarinen building in Minnesota – and will provide information about the Walker-MIA exhibition.
Saarinen and Associates was the foremost American architecture firm of the 1950s, famous for designing iconic architectural landscapes such as airport buildings (JFK, Dulles International, Athens); college campuses (MIT, Vassar, Yale, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Concordia); corporate campuses (General Motors, John Deere, IBM, CBS); and churches.
The Gateway Arch in St Louis also is a Saarinen work.
Leif Erikson Day is observed each year on Oct. 9 to remember and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Scandinavian immigrants. Those interested in more information may contact Maria-Claudia Tomany at (507) 389-2917 or Alisa Eimen at (507) 389-2886.
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