Right:

The exhibition comprises 140 drawings by internationally renowned architects Peter Eisenman, Rem Koolhaas, Daniel Libeskind, Thom Mayne, and Bernard Tschumi—works created between 1972-87. During this sluggish economic period when new building was curtailed, these architects fueled a vital intellectual and experimental scene filled with passionate debate emerging from philosophy, film theory, linguistics, literary criticism, and social thought. Thus the stage was set for an eruption of "paper architecture" of incomparable beauty, range, brilliance, and depth.

According to exhibition curator Jeffrey Kipnis, the works in the exhibition are unified by more than the period during which they were executed. "…the architectural drawing as [an end in itself] can function in any of three ways: as an innovative design tool, as the articulation of a new direction, or as a creation of consummate artistic merit. Put simply, a perfect act of architecture achieves all three at once." Perfect Acts of Architecture is organized by Jeffrey Kipnis, Curator of Architecture and Design, Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University and presented by The AXA Gallery in association with The Museum of Modern Art, New York, with support of the Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Wexner Center Foundation.

The AXA Gallery is sponsored by AXA Financial and its subsidiary The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Additional assistance has been provided by AXA Art Insurance Corporation.

Terence Riley, Chief Curator, Department of Architecture and Design, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, writes in the preface of the exhibition catalogue that the six series of drawings in Perfect Acts of Architecture are responses to perspective as the dominant mode of architectural representation employing collage, axonometry, superimposition, juxtaposition and diagrams in various combinations. "Each series aspires to do more than depict various views of a building by constructing a narrative of some type that, in its sequence, tells us as much about the meaning of the architecture as its appearance." Each set of drawings in the show explores, architecturally, the key debates of the time, from the loss of meaning to the radical reorganization of social life. The five architects represented in this exhibition have since all earned major international recognition for their built works, and each stands at the pinnacle of contemporary architecture. This exhibition contains the foundation for their future endeavors.

A book accompanies the exhibition. Perfect Acts of Architecture by Jeffrey Kipnis, Curator of Architecture and Design, Wexner Center for the Arts, with a preface by Terence Riley, Chief Curator, Department of Architecture and Design, The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Each suite of drawings, fully illustrated with superb reproductions, offers great insight into the creative processes of the young designers, who went on to establish major international reputations. To put this "paper architecture" into a broader historical context, Kipnis and Riley provide introductory texts as well as concise commentaries on each of the projects. (180 pages, 8x10" with 173 illustrations, 58 in color, 86 in duotone, and 29 in black and white. ISBN 0-87070-039-1. Distributed by D.A.P., Distributed Art Publishers) The book retails for $45 and is available at Gateway Newstand in the Equitable Atrium, 787 Seventh Avenue and at the MoMA Design Store, Soho, 81 Spring Street in Manhattan.

The Wexner Center for the Arts is The Ohio State University's multidisciplinary, international laboratory for the exploration and advancement of contemporary art. Through exhibitions, screenings, performances, artist residencies, and educational programs, the Wexner Center acts as a forum where established and emerging artists can test ideas and where diverse audiences can participate in cultural experiences that enhance understanding of the art of our time. In its programs, the Wexner Center balances a commitment to experimentation with a commiment to traditions of innovation and affirms the university's mission of education, research, and community service.

The Museum of Modern Art is currently undergoing the most extensive building project in its 72-year history. MoMA QNS, the Museum's new home in Long Island City, Queens, will present a full schedule of exhibitions while construction is under way at MoMA's midtown location. Housed in a former Swingline staple factory, MoMA QNS is located at 33 Street and Queens Boulevard, and designed by Michael Maltzan Architecture and Scott Newman of Cooper, Robertson & Partners. The space encompasses 160,000 square feet, with 25,000 square feet of exhibition space, as well as a café and store; conservation laboratory; library; collections, imaging, and framing facilities; offices; and storage space. MoMA QNS will serve as a permanent home for storage of MoMA's collection, as well as a facility for conservation, study, and research. The new Museum of Modern Art, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, is scheduled to open in early 2005 in midtown Manhattan.

AXA Gallery presents works from all fields of the visual arts, with a special emphasis placed on exhibitions that would not otherwise have a presence in the city. The AXA Gallery is located in the atrium lobby of Equitable Tower, 787 Seventh Avenue at 51st Street, in New York City. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 11am - 6pm, and Saturday, noon to 5pm. The Gallery is closed on Sundays. Admission is free.