The Allure of the Automobile: High Museum of Art Atlanta
A new show, Allure of the Automobile at the High Museum of Art Atlanta, offers a fresh perspective on the exquisite contours of rare 20th century classic automobiles. The exhibit focuses on elegance defined by era and the subtext places the automobile as a work of decorative art. Set squarely among the landscape of Art Moderne and Postwar Modernity, the car and art worlds converge at an engaging intersection.
Porsche Type 64
The 18 cars selected for the exhibit expand on the premise that former Museum of Modern of Art curator Arthur Drexler articulated in 1951 during the MOMA show Eight Automobiles. “Automobiles are hollow, rolling sculpture,” Drexler said. “They have interior spaces corresponding to an outer form, like buildings, but the designer’s aesthetic purpose is to enclose the functioning parts of an automobile, as well as its passengers, in a package suggesting directed movement along the ground.”
1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
What Allure of the Automobile does to take this concept further framed by retrospective glance at the defining era of coach building. The cars are divided into Pre-World War II Design: Opulence and Luxury and Post-World War II Design: Speed. Both American makes such as the 1934 Packard and the 1954 Dodge Firearrow and European makes such as the 1937 Delage D8-120s and the 1938/39 Porsche Type 64 are included. This display marks the first occasion the one-of-a-kind Porsche Type 64 shell has left Germany.
1953 Porsche 550 Le Mans/La Carrera Panamerica Coupe
Automotive historian and former Peterson Automotive Museum director Ken Gross acted as guest curator of the exhibition, whose knowledge of each car’s pedigree is encyclopedic. Gross explained how Clark Gable call his Duesenberg the best car built in America and recounted how Gary Cooper and Gable were rumored to race down their Duesenbergs down Sunset Blvd. He worked closed with the High curators to translate the automotive world to the museum context.
The special exhibit is the first of it’s kind for Ron Labaco, High’s Curator of Decorative Art and Design, but he’s delved deep into the design analysis, finding many parallels to his areas of expertise. “It’s about what denotes a car as a masterpiece,” said Labaco. “It’s a direct connection between decorative arts. You can compare them with Faberge Eggs.”
The Allure of the Automobile opens to the public Mar.21 and runs through June 20, 2010.
1961 Ferrari 250 Short-Wheelbase Berlinetta, “SEFAC Hot Rod”
1954 Dodge Firearrow III Concept Coup
1938 Alfa Romeo 8C900B Touring
1933 Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow
1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante
1959 Cheverolet Corvette Stingray
Guest Curator Ken Gross
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Good Afternoon!
I attended this show in on its last day and hour!
My main interest were the Duesey’s because I visited the Zimmerman’s Autorama in Hershey PA in 1968 and actually viewed Gable’s Duesenberg Speedster before it was restored in its original glory! Seeing those cars brought tears of joy to my eyes, because of the time lapse since my last viewing of these gorgeous cars! My actions was brought to the attention of the attendants; whom, after learning my consequences left me to my own devices the remainder of the show.
Two cars captured my attention away from the Dueseys. One was the 1938 Hispano Suiza Dubonnet Xenia, while the other was the 1938 Delage D8-120 Aerosport Coupe!
You incorrectly labeled the picture of the Delage D8-120 as a 1933 Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow. The Pierce Arrow was a remarkable stunningly designed automobile, but it was actually a 4-door coupe on display at the show, which I believe was only one of two ever produced.
Thank you for allowing me to comment!
JK