Davenport, Iowa (November 15, 2021) —This week, a new exhibition comes to the Figge Art Museum. Opening Saturday, November 20, Carlos Diniz: Master of Architectural Illustration showcases 10 extraordinary charcoal and ink renderings of the Frank Gehry–designed Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The exhibition provides a fascinating look at how an architect’s spontaneous scribbles were transformed into a landmark building.

Well before the Walt Disney Concert Hall was built and eventually opened in 2003, celebrated architectural illustrator, artist, and graphic designer Carlos Diniz combined Gehry’s conceptual sketches and models with views of the cityscape, providing the City of Los Angeles a preview of what Gehry’s building would look like when finished. Diniz’s work on this and many other projects filled in the details of the architect’s vision and was recognized as an integral part of American architecture and architectural practice by The American Institute of Architects.

Born in 1928, Diniz is known for his work with many award-winning and pioneering architects of the 20th century. After graduating from the Art Center College of Design in 1950 with a degree in specialized design, Diniz opened his own studio, Carlos Diniz Associates Visual Communications, which became known for its large scale “storytelling” illustrations. By the time of his death in 2001, his body of work had come to encompass many landmark and historic structures and developments from the 1960s through the 1980s. In addition to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Diniz completed several other projects for the Walt Disney Company, including work on Epcot Center at Disney World, Orlando; Tokyo Disney; and Disney’s California Adventure.

“Diniz’s work came before the time of computer-aided and virtual renderings,” said Figge Director of Collections and Exhibitions Andrew Wallace. “His expert illustrations were all that was needed to create a recognizable view of the future.”

Carlos Diniz: Master of Architectural Illustration will also be accompanied by select limited-edition reproductions of Gehry’s early conceptual sketches for the Concert Hall project. The exhibition will be on view in the second-floor Lewis Gallery through March 20, 2022.

About the Figge Art Museum:
The Figge Art Museum is dedicated to bringing art and people together. Located on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street, the Figge is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, is home to one of the Midwest’s finest art collections and presents world-class exhibitions, art classes, lectures, and special events that attract visitors of all ages. Museum hours are 10 a.m.­­-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursdays; and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays.Reservations are not required, but can be made at www.figgeartmuseum.org or by calling 563-345-6632. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and students with ID and $4 children ages 4-12. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and to all on Thursday evenings. You can become a member for as little as $50 by visiting the Figge website. The Figge Café is open for lunch Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org. 

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