In February 1943, Mies van der Rohe published his “Museum for a Small City” in Architectural Forum. Architectural historians have long been fascinated with the concept drawings, but often refer to the plans as never having been realized. And yet, archival evidence suggests that Mies’ “Museum for a Small City” was indeed realized in 1961, right here in Kalamazoo. During this ArtBreak, Dr. Christine Hahn will examine how Mies’ vision came to life in the architectural design of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

Dr. Christine Hahn is a Professor of Art History and the Art Department Chair at Kalamazoo College. She received both her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and has shared her work with local, national, and international audiences. She was the recipient of a Fulbright Research Fellowship in 2002, spending the year in Seoul, South Korea. Dr. Hahn’s research focuses on 20th century art, examining how the circulation of art via expatriate artists, traveling exhibitions, and the museum space creates multilayered meanings for global audiences.