Proposed decorations for Fisher Building, Detroit, MI.] [Sheet No. 3, Dome at intersection of arcade 100 and Main Lobby 107 1928

Editor: This watercolor drawing from 1928, by Winold Reiss, presents proposed decorations for the Fisher Building in Detroit. It's labeled as Sheet No. 3 and shows a dome at the intersection of Arcade 100 and Main Lobby 107. What strikes me is its precision and the repeating geometric patterns. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, first I’m struck by the synthesis Reiss achieves. Look how the Art Deco style isn't just a surface treatment; it's woven into the very structure, reflected in the architectural plans themselves. Do you notice the repetition of circular and linear motifs, Editor? These echo the aspirations of modernity, yet also hint at ancient cosmological symbols – the circle as wholeness, the star as guiding light. This blending speaks to a cultural memory, a desire to link progress with timeless human values. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about the connection between the geometric patterns and cultural memory. So, the star in the center…is that supposed to be read as a symbol of hope or something similar? Curator: Perhaps. Or perhaps it references the 'divine spark' within each individual, mirroring the soaring ambitions of the skyscraper itself. Remember, architecture often reflects the aspirations of a society, their spiritual and cultural longings made manifest in concrete and steel. Consider the tension between the mass-produced and the unique artistry of Reiss's proposal – what does this contrast communicate? Editor: It's like they wanted to elevate everyday life. It also makes you think about the optimism of the era and the cultural melting pot of American society at the time. Curator: Precisely! And how powerful it is to consider those values through design. Editor: I never thought about architectural design carrying so many emotional and spiritual layers.