COLUMBUS, Ind. – The once-in-a-generation publication American Modern: Architecture, Community, Columbus, Indiana, officially launched worldwide this week. The book, written by Columbus native Matt Shaw and photographed by Iwan Baan, is jointly published by The Monacelli Press and Landmark Columbus Foundation. Studio Lin designed the book.
American Modern is the first in-depth publication about Columbus demonstrating the unique convergence of civic, industrial, and social forces that produced the country’s preeminent laboratory of architectural modernism.
The non-profit responsible for conceptualizing and raising funds for the book, Landmark Columbus Foundation, celebrated the launch of its publication with two Indiana events at architecturally significant venues: the former North Christian Church in Columbus, designed by Eero Saarinen (1964) and the Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) in Indianapolis, designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes (1966).
Both launch events were created in partnership with Indiana Humanities and Heritage Fund. Jasmine Yang, recipient of the 2024 Betty F. Brown for Instrumental Excellence and Columbus North High School graduate, performed live classical piano.
On Wednesday, the Columbus program was produced jointly with the Bartholomew County Public Library (BCPL). It included an introduction by Jason Hatton, executive director of BCPL, who inducted the newly acquired venue with its first public event, and remarks by Landmark Columbus Foundation board chair Mark Elwood. To conclude the event, City of Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon proclaimed July 10 as “American Modern Day” in Columbus.
The Indianapolis program was on Thursday at the Seminary on the grounds of Butler University.
Both American Modern launches featured presentations by author Matt Shaw and book designer Alex Lin of Studio Lin, with open discussion from the audience. A book signing with the authors concluded both events and Columbus-based independent bookseller Viewpoint Books provided book sales.