Tulsa ART-DECO Museum?

[TheArtist]

  
   Since nobody else has created one for Tulsa, I have decided to give it a go myself.

Many of you may have noticed over the years how I have; put out new ideas, asked for suggestions, input on what we could "do next", things that I/we could do to make a difference "artistic bus shelters", painting street intersections, etc. etc.  Part of what I have been doing has actually been an attempt to search out a project that I can put some time and effort behind and,,, well, make a difference. Leave our small spot of the world a little better, more enjoyable, and beautiful. I am at the point in my life where I have most of the things I want, my career manages to take decent care of me, and I have some free time on my hands. And I am one of those people that gets restless, loves a challenge, and wants to dream and DO something, to create something wonderful.

I have learned however to be very careful about what I volunteer to do. Even seemingly simple and exciting ideas often take a lot of time, hard work and commitment to bring to fruition. And none of the ideas I have run across lately have really grabbed me... except...

One of the things that has cropped up time and time again, and always seems to garner positive responses, is the idea of Tulsa having an Art-Deco museum. And looking back, I can remember wishing we had one, even day dreaming about building one, as far back as my early 20s.  I love art and have always had an affinity for Art-Deco. So, I have decided that this will be my project. This is something that I feel I can put the next 20 or so years of my life behind and be satisfied that I made a happy choice.

So here we are at the beginning. I say we, because I of course wont be able to do this by myself. I have met a lot of interesting people and have made some great connections in my career and with Tulsa Now. I will need all of them, and more, to make a go of this.

I would like to hear ideas from everyone, and will of course need advice.

Right now is the fun part of "Conceptualizing" getting the initial idea formulated. One cant know which way to go, or how to get there, until you know where it is your going.

My ideas so far.... I started off imagining your typical museum concept. But, I am not one for typical anything lol, its not my style. I don't want a "boring" quiet museum. I want something that is constantly alive and vibrant. I would like something that is part of the street-scape in that the building is up to the sidewalk, open and welcoming to passers by. It would have a Deco Cafe. Lounge areas where people would enjoy reading, mingling, surfing the Internet. Would like it to have a stage area where classic, deco period movies would constantly be shown, events could be held, concerts, perhaps even have a dance club at night on the weekends. Could perhaps have a gift shop and deco/contemporary furniture store. (hopefully this can be arranged so that the profits go to supporting and enhancing the museum and its collections)

This wouldn't be a typical museum where you slowly browse along and look at the art. You will be able to do that, but you will also be able to do lots of other things, or nothing at all, while all around you will be the art, the architecture, interesting, creative, and fun displays, etc. I want the interior architecture to be dramatic and wonderful. So that even if there weren't a lick of art in it, you would still want to come look. It will showcase Deco from its early days, right up to the Deco of today including music videos.  Add to that great sculptures, wonderful deco poster art, paintings, furniture, things to do, spaces that are open, and accessible right off the street, people enjoying themselves. I hesitate to even call it a museum for it conjures up the wrong image.

It will indeed be a museum with the primary mission of education and showcasing Art Deco, but it will also be a place of enjoyment and activity meant to briefly take you out of the every day world and transport you into.... The DECOPOLIS, the Deco City.

Working on logo for identity purposes, promo material, etc.,,, first rough drafts. Initial museum concept, then the DECOPOLIS concept.




I figure I will have to get a board of directors, bylaws, vision, and all of that written. 501 3C status? Come up with ideas for fundraising events. A group of willing volunteers.  A website. Will try to make an appt with Ken Busby with the Arts and Humanities council to pick his brain and get advice on how to make a go of this.

Ideas?...Comments?,,, Suggestions?,,,, Help? lol.

I will use this thread to post progress. Hopefully we will see things evolve from this first post and idea, to something that actually exists in the real world.    

[sgrizzle]

I like "Decopolis" because I'm tired of museums named "%SUBJECT MUSEUM"

Omniplex was better when it was the Omniplex.

[mr.jaynes]

For the museum, yes, a photographic record of Art Deco not only American, but worldwide examples also, should be included. Yes, something American such as New York's Chrysler Bulding should be included, but also other sterling regional examples such as London's BBC bulding, or German Art Deco (immortalized by Fritz LAng in his seminal sci-fi classic Metropolis), etc. For sure, include Art Deco examples of PWA projects of the Depression- supposedly it was the "house style" at they time.

Show how Art Deco inspired film and animation of the 1930s, perhaps include selected animation cels of some of the classics of the era (and I can think of a few at this writing that would be ideal). Show examples of the iron and grill work of the art deco style, and even the reliefs.

Sounds exciting- go for it!

[perspicuity85]

Mr. Jaynes, you have me thinking Dick Tracy, Batman, and classic Superman.  I love that stuff.

Artist, I think you have a fantastic idea.  While you have me thinking, I'm going to share with you my stream of consciousness:

1. Make the museum encompass the full art deco cultural experience.  Allude to signs of the time like The Great Gatsby.  Maybe you could have an exhibit where people dance "The Charleston."

2. Make it an art deco/film noir combination.  Film noir and art deco go hand in hand.  You could get with the TU film studies department on this.  You could really get creative here.  Maybe make some references to those classic Bogart crime movies.

3. Talk to the Tulsa Historical Society.  Maybe they will partner with you once you get started.

4. If I were to make a list of the areas to focus on, I would include:
Architecture of course including furniture & light fixtures
Visual Art
Literature
Music/Dance: The Jazz Age in particular
Fashion: i.e. the Flappers
Film Noir
Animation
History of Art Deco: The International Exposition in Paris, the 1922 King Tut Discovery in Egypt, etc.

I also found one similar type of museum in South Beach, Miami, FL: http://www.mdpl.org/.  You may want to check out their web site as a reference.  They do art deco tours in South Beach, and the museum seems to anchor the whole area.

[SXSW]

Any Art Deco museum in downtown Tulsa should be in an Art Deco building.  Find which ones have empty space on the first and second floors and go from there.

[TheArtist]

There are so many neat things that go along with deco and the deco era. The "Gilded Age" the "Jazz Age", the Roaring 20s. Deco was indeed a global phenomena. It was extremely popular and swept into every country.  Thanks for all the wonderful ideas.  Just goes to show how expansive and interesting a deco museum could be.

I am wondering if I could have the first fundraiser as early as this fall. Last week of September or early October.

          Tulsas first annual...  

                                   DECO BALL (we could come up with a better name)

All you dappers and flappers, grab your top hats and pearls, for a night of "Roaring 20s" fun. Think; red carpet, spotlights piercing the night sky, antique deco period cars, fancy dress and period costumes, great music (hopefully live performance), dance lessons/examples, best dressed prizes, silent auction, stunning set up, party games, confetti, balloons, and just lots and lots of fun  


Or for those of a more reserved demeanor, or who cant dance a lick like myself, you can simply stand around looking sultry and strike dashing poses.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3svvCj4yhYc&feature=player_embedded

I am thinking of having a happy hour/meeting downtown on the 10th at Joe Mammas to talk about what could be done, how to do it, location, etc. Would love to have anyone who is interested in possibly helping out, just offering ideas or listening in, come and join in.  

[sgrizzle]

Or for those of a more reserved demeanor, or who cant dance a lick like myself, you can simply stand around looking sultry and strike dashing poses.

No you can't, that's my schtick.

[OpenYourEyesTulsa]

I like this idea.  You have my support.

[cannon_fodder]

I think you should get the same $50,000,000+ in state funds OKC got for the Indian Museum.  Actually, that doesn't make much sense being that we have art deco here.  Maybe we can get the Land Rush museum?

Tulsa County:  5.5% Native.  Close to many large tribal governments.  Home to many large tribal businesses.  End of the Trail of Tears.  Contains Osage, Cherokee, and Creek nation lands.  Future home of giant naked Indian statue.  Named by natives.

Oklahoma County:  3.3% Native. 

Where oh where to put the Native American museum?   

I think the Art Deco museum should be in OKC too . . .
- - -

Seirously though, great idea William.  I'd be happy to help in any way I can.

[Requiemokc]

Tulsa County:  5.5% Native. 

Oklahoma County:  3.3% Native. 

Where oh where to put the Native American museum?   

I think the Art Deco museum should be in OKC too . . .

Can we grow up? Really.? The whole state is tied culturally to Native Americans.

Anyways. I think this is an excellent idea! Tulsa's Art Deco is so beautiful, and to amass such a collection would definitely have my attention. It would attract me to visit for sure.

[cannon_fodder]

I don't want to degenerate Williams thread, but it is easy to take the high road when your infrastructure and attractions are paid for by the entire State and then your legislatures vote down the corresponding funding for anything else.  Another $2mil has been allocated to the museum.  It is the pervasive nature of it that gets aggravating and discussions of Tulsa trying to build a new museum just kinda remind of it.  Indian Museum, roads, NBA team payroll, medical facilities, Universities, government jobs . . . yay for the "grown up" concept of sharing (state funds).

I know it isn't the citizens fault.  I'd fight for all the state money I could get too.   It is really our legislators I suppose. . . but it is still annoying.  I hope you can see my perspective.  Money sent to the State from Tulsa stays in Oklahoma City.

/I'll mention it no more in this thread.  Sorry William.

[mr.jaynes]

Mr. Jaynes, you have me thinking Dick Tracy, Batman, and classic Superman.  I love that stuff.

Me too, especially the classic Superman cartoons of the early 1940s: this was some of the Fleischer brothers' best work. The Art Deco that could be seen in those animated shorts clearly reflected that era, and beautifully too, I may add! The first two Batman movies, my best information tells me that the deco featured there, were reproductions built on a soundstage, and thus not original 1920s-1930s deco. But it looks authentic enough for the movies.

I am not too keen on attempts to reproduce the Deco look for new buildings. The art deco structures built in the 1920s-1930s and even into the 1940s seem to have a unique sensibility as defined by their times, and I think that any attempt to duplicate that merely renders the new structure as just that: a duplicate. No way to improve upon perfection, I say. 

Any Art Deco museum in downtown Tulsa should be in an Art Deco building.  Find which ones have empty space on the first and second floors and go from there.

That's just common sense. Beaux-Arts is a good form of architecture, and there seems to be some of that left in the area, but a Deco Museum calls for a genuine, 1920s-1930s deco building!

There are so many neat things that go along with deco and the deco era. The "Gilded Age" the "Jazz Age", the Roaring 20s. Deco was indeed a global phenomena.   

From the Harlem Renaissance to the Prihibition Era and even the early days of WW2, the influences of art deco can be seen as a part of that history. And if you can also inclusde some metion and documentation of those years, it will make the exhibits that much more complete!

[TheArtist]

 Thanks for the responses. Really like the early superman and batman/comics idea too.

An old deco building would be fantastic, heck, any building, or just a room in a building at this point I would not say no to lol. However, If I were to really dream big, I would like a new building/buildings. There are multiple reasons. A list of dream scenario, desires would be...

1. High ceilings
2. Large open spaces
3. Pedestrian friendly access on a city block in a pedestrian friendly area. (or future pedestrian friendly area)

 I would like the museum to have multiple synergies. I like to think holistically with lots of different ideas that dont simply "add" together but create a "multiplier" effect. Think of the great spaces and buildings we show off, those points of pride like the Philcade and its much photographed lobby, 320 S. Boston lobby, Philtower Lobby, etc.. This could be a chance to add several point of pride to our deco collection. Matter of fact, If I could have half a city block or a quarter city block I would build it so that the museum looked like 4-6 different deco buildings. It could add 6 wonderful deco pieces to our city. Having it be a half block or quarter block (or a whole block with a central garden/outdoor sculpture space) and being pedestrian friendly all the way around would add to our cities urban streetscape, help fill in and add to its renewing pedestrian friendly nature. Plus the building itself would be wonderful to walk around, take photos of the different deco architecture examples. The main entrance and lobby would run throught the middle of the building and have a 30' - 40' high ceiling and be Deeeecked out, over the top Deco. (a great space for weddings, the deco ball, big art exhibits, and other events) One of the corner buildings would be the Deco Cafe/Coffee Shop, the other the theater and stage, another corner could be a deco/contemporary arts store and perhaps offices, another rotating exhibit spaces. The center of one side could have a deco tower and have the grand entrance and lobby, and it would also be nice to have a second floor that was all museum spaces as well.

The whole of the first floor would be very open inside, the cafe open to the grand lobby and other museum spaces, including hopefully an outdoor garden with sculptures and fountains, and that next to the store/gift shop. So that way there is a lot of flow and energy throughout the building. If say a group of friends were in the cafe/coffee shop and wanted to hang out they could feel perfectly comfortable moving from within the cafe area to another area or the gardens. Each space unique, but open to each other and flowing together with places to sit and chat in most of the rooms. People checking out the rest of the museum would wander into the cafe area for it too would be architecturally interesting and have art pieces, paintings, sculptures, all around. Or grab a snack and a drink with some friends or family and head over to the theater and watch whatever is playing there, old movie, or live music, deco documentary/educational film. I can create this open, flowing feeling, between rooms, between the outside street/sidewalk and the inside and the gardens, etc. with a new building. Its all of these ideas, and more, working together which will create a truly unique and wonderful space that people will gravitate towards and want to visit over and over. Its not just a museum, but a friendly, open, lively, hang out thats integrated into the street its on.  I want a place thats thriving, and feels alive, even if your the only person there, yet that also has comfortable, quiet, beautiful, relaxing spots where you can kick back, enjoy the art and architecture surrounding you and read a book or surf the web.

New building that architecturally has multiple points of pride inside and out, adds to our pedestrian friendly streetscape, is a tourist attraction, is more than just a museum in many ways.  

Again,,, if someone offers me a chunk of vacant property or a single street level room or a plain, cinder block building,,,, at this point, I would be thrilled to have it. Got to start somewhere. But also good to have a direction and a grand vision to work towards.

[TURobY]

Again, if someone offers me a chunk of vacant property or a single street level room or a plain, cinder block building, at this point, I would be thrilled to have it. Got to start somewhere. But also good to have a direction and a grand vision to work towards.

I have some extra cardboard boxes. I could even tape them together for you. 

[cannon_fodder]

Honestly William, what might be an interesting idea is to try and piggy back on the next remodel project.  When someone remodels the next old building downtown try to claim a corner of the ground floor with grant money.  It would be mutually beneficial for the owner of the building to have a museum in there to attract a cafe and to add class to the address.   Not sure how well it would fly, but an interesting idea anyway . . .  maybe rent the space at a reduced rate, have it donated, or paid by the grant or some foundation or the cities visitor center.

Just another thought I guess . . .