CHICAGO, IL.- Architecture to Scale, a new exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, demonstrates the complex process and vast range of scales of architectural representation through the work of two groundbreaking architects in adjacent installations, Stanley Tigerman and Zago Architecture. The exhibition in the Architecture and Design galleries (283-285) and is on view until September 14, 2014.

Architects rely on a variety of approaches, media, and outputs in the development and representation of their projects, including models, sketches, and drawings. Modes of representation vary largely, as this exhibition demonstrates through the contrasting approaches of Stanley Tigerman and Zago Architecture.

Stanley Tigerman (b.1930), a major figure in Chicago’s postmodern architecture movement, is largely known for his intricate and inventive Archi-toon drawings. This installation provides a unique glimpse into his career with the presentation of over twenty architectural models. This diverse array of models—from single-family homes, to corporate, cultural and religious institutions—demonstrates Tigerman’s range while showing how his ideas about irony, religion, and humor manifest themselves in architectural form. A selection of drawings—many on display for the first time—are paired with several of the models and reveal complex relationships of his theories and design process. Notably, Tigerman has hand drawn archetypal characters from his career on the walls of this dynamic installation.

In the adjacent gallery a large scale, immersive installation of Zago Architecture’s compelling video series XYT: Detroit Streets spans the 90-foot long gallery wall. Founded by Andrew Zago in 1991, Zago Architecture employs a rigorous practice of research and experimentation parallel to its architecture projects. With XYT: Detroit Streets, the mechanics of representation have been expanded and exaggerated in order to capture the essence of the contemporary urban condition of Detroit. This exhibition also highlights how the firm’s research on representation has influenced the development of its architecture projects. In a series of diagrams developed for this exhibition, they illustrate the use of perspective historically in the genre of the urban panorama.

From the micro to the macro, architects rely on scale in order to articulate and present their projects, and this exhibition demonstrates unique architectural approaches through the contrasting scales of Stanley Tigerman and Zago Architecture.

Architecture to Scale is curated by Karen Kice, Neville Bryan Assistant Curator, Department of Architecture and Design at the Art Institute of Chicago.