![A graphite drawing on white tracing paper, for multiple iterations, of a three-quarter view of an interior of a theater. A built installation shows the multiple stepped stage on the left having a gently curved outer platform in the center that juts out into an extreme curve on the right supporting an elliptical glass enclosed booth bearing a flat roof with two people inside. The above architecture reflects the round curves of the booth with built in designs on two levels where the drawing employs value shading to show the illusion of volume, depth and realism with high open space between the ceiling and said design. The adjacent wall displays a sketch of a large, high archway and the beginning of another to the right with less detail. The round curved built-in design meets an intersecting low wall with rounded left edge overlapping the right stage edge and is articulated with [CBS] letters atop and a [C] on the wall with outstretched arms inclusive of [ON THE AIR] in the top arm, and [STAND BY] in the bottom arm with a round clock in the inner curvature of the [C]. Returning to the inner stage, we are met with a built-in back wall that curves inward on the top and meets with a dropped ceiling consisting of several planks parallel to the ceiling with spaces in between. A rectangular built awning placed on an upward slant is placed outward from the planks. One can speculate as to the function of this configuration. Writing is apparent on the lower left of the image: [#398 sign 30] in a circle [37] with two words beneath that are illegible. The drawing has a small rip on the lower left edge and possible tape damage on the bottom right. [3-55-9874] is written in the lower left corner.]( https://images.collection.cooperhewitt.org/57284_9bdda8553b939de0_b.jpg
"Drawing, Design for Alteration of the Avon Theater")
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Object Timeline
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Drawing, Design for Alteration of the Avon Theater
This is a Drawing. It was designed by William E. Lescaze and made for (as the client) CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System). It is dated 1934 and we acquired it in 1937. Its medium is graphite on white tracing paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.
Lescaze’s projects for Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) in the 1930s and 40s helped codify the company’s public identity through graphic and architectural decisions. Here Lescaze illustrates his proposal for the renovation of a midtown theater into a modern recording and performance space for CBS that would be conducive to recording while establishing a corporate identity.
This object was
donated by
William E. Lescaze.
It is credited Gift of William E. Lescaze.
- Drawing, Teatro Filarmonico, Accademia Filarmonica, Verona, Italy: Section...
- pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, black chalk on white laid paper.
- Bequest of Erskine Hewitt.
- 1938-57-1443
- Print, Townhouse, 211 East 48th Street, New York, NY: Perspective Rendering
- photostat on paper.
- Gift of William E. Lescaze.
- 1937-37-3
- Drawing, Avon Theater, 251 West 45th Street, New York, NY: Design for...
- graphite on white tracing paper.
- Gift of William E. Lescaze.
- 1937-37-4
Our curators have highlighted 3 objects that are related to this one.
- Print, Theater Interior with Performance Taking Place
- engraving on white paper.
- Bequest of Erskine Hewitt.
- 1938-57-1438
- Print, Interior View, New Theater, Philadelphia
- engraving on paper.
- 1948-89-1
- Drawing, World Trade Center Transportation Hub, New York, NY: Sketch
- watercolor and graphite on white wove paper.
- Gift of Santiago Calatrava.
- 2015-35-1
Its dimensions are
57 × 76.2 cm (22 7/16 × 30 in.)
It is signed
Signed in graphite, lower right: #398 rev 30 34 / Lescaze arch
Cite this object as
Drawing, Design for Alteration of the Avon Theater; Designed by William E. Lescaze (American, b. Switzerland, 1896–1969); Client: CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) (United States); USA; graphite on white tracing paper; 57 × 76.2 cm (22 7/16 × 30 in.); Gift of William E. Lescaze; 1937-37-5
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The World of Radio.
