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Vladimir Ossipioff, sketch of the Laupahoehoe School, Laupahoehoe, Hawaii, courtesy of Valerie Ossipoff.

FOR 11/9

‘ARCHITECTURE OF VLADIMIR OSSIPOFF’ TO OPEN AT HONOLULU ACADEMY NOV. 29 w/1 cut

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HONOLULU, HAWAII — The Honolulu Academy of Arts presents “Hawaiian Modern: The Architecture of Vladimir Ossipoff,” the first major museum exhibition to focus on the preeminent architect’s career and the impact of his work on postwar modern architecture in the Pacific Region. The exhibition premieres at the academy November 29–January 27, before traveling to other national and international venues.

At the forefront of the postwar phenomenon known as tropical modernism, Vladimir Ossipoff (1907–1998) won recognition as the “master of Hawaii modern architecture.” Born in Russia and raised in Japan, Ossipoff was instrumental in transforming the built landscape of Hawaii from a territorial plantation outpost to a modern US state. While prolific, with more than 1,000 completed projects, he was critical of overdevelopment and recognized the need for sustainable design as early as the 1960s.

Ossipoff created a distinctive form of place-sensitive architecture appropriate to the lush topography, light and microclimates of the Hawaiian Islands. His synthesis of Eastern and Western influences, including Japanese building techniques and modern architectural principles, drew inspiration from the interplay of indoor and outdoor space, which he applied to the specific concerns and characteristics of the tropics.

“Ossipoff incorporated the unique cultures and environment of Hawaii into his designs. The impact of his work has never been studies in such a thoughtful and conclusive manner,” said Honolulu Academy of Arts Director Stephen Little. “This exhibition examines this extraordinary architect’s immense contributions to Pacific Island architecture.”

Organized by the academy on the centennial of the architect’s birth, the exhibit is guest-curated and designed by Dean Sakamoto, architect and resident critic/director of exhibitions at the Yale School of Architecture, who was born and raised in Hawaii.

“Hawaiian Modern” is divided into six thematic sections that trace the principles apparent in Ossipoff’s work and his impact of career within Hawaii’s built environment: Revealing the Site, Hawaiian and Modern, Darkness and Air, Native Materials and Modern Tectonics, the Living Lanai and the War on Ugliness.

Drawn from the architect’s personal and professional archives; local museum and newspaper archives; and interviews of his family, colleagues, former employees, and clients; the exhibition includes original drawings, architectural plans, archival photographs, personal ephemera, a timeline of Ossipoff’s life, and maquettes, as well as new photographs of Ossipoff’s architecture by Victoria Sambunaris and a specially commissioned documentary video by KDN Films.

“Hawaiian Modern: The Architecture of Vladimir Ossipoff” will travel to Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Frankfurt, Germany, next summer and the Yale University School of Architecture Gallery, New Haven, Conn., next fall.

The exhibition is accompanied by a full illustrated, 328-page catalog.

The academy is at 900 South Beretania Street in the Thomas Square Historic District. For information, 808-532-8700 or www.honoluluacademy.org.