The Micheels House, Designed by Paul Rudolph, Westport, Connecticut, 1972 - 2007, by Chris Mottalini

Important works of art are handled with white cotton gloves, doted over by curators and housed in atmospherically controlled Plexiglas cubes. All too often, important works of architecture are not afforded the same attention by conservationists. Once a style falls out of favor, monumentally important buildings are bought and sold at the mercy of the real estate market, and left to decay until they meet the wrecking ball.

After You Left, They Took it Apart (Demolished Paul Rudolph Homes) is a body of work by Hey, Hot Shot! honorable mention Chris Mottalini, which photographically preserves homes designed by controversial Modernist architect Paul Rudolph in the moments before they are demolished.

Paul Rudolph's Yale School of Architecture

While Rudolph's works have been criticized for being "Brutalist," architectural slang for harsh concrete geometry, there is no denying the historical significance of these buildings. An article in The Wall Street Journal by critic Ada Louise Huxtable explains that, "only the high cost and extreme difficulty of demolishing solid concrete saved [Rudolph's iconic Yale School of Architecture Building]." However, not all of Rudolph's buildings have been so lucky. Since his passing in 1997, three homes have been destroyed and exist only in Chris's images. The photographs of unkempt concrete and glass are both a straightforward documentation and an empathetic ode to a misunderstood architect.

Chris writes:

My intent was to pay homage to Paul Rudolph and his work as well as the more abstract and elusive qualities of architecture—decay, destruction, loss, and fragility. Several other Paul Rudolph homes are currently slated for demolition and, as a result, he has become representative of a tragic disregard for mid-century architecture.

Through April 17th, images from the series will be displayed at the Julie Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University, Rudolph's alma mater. For those who cannot make it out to Alabama to see the show, the series is also available on Chris's website.

After You Left, They Took It Apart: Demolished Paul Rudolph Homes
Photographs by Chris Mottalini
On view: February 6 - April 17, 2010
Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
901 South College St., Auburn, AL 36849