Thank god

With a new home and new art, will museum gain new profile?

But in an age when museums around the world are erecting architectural landmarks to cement their public image, Seattle Art Musem (SAM) gave up a critical chance to build an iconic, freestanding museum.

Wisdom.

It's interesting to see how public expectation drives clients to starchiteture. Here you have an art critic pushing the institution to do something "iconic" — which means name-brand architect who can put the museum — and its associated cheer-leaders — on the map, even if its collection is young. The very headline of the story is not about art but about public relations and fame.

Whether SAM meant to or not, it has made the right & urbane choice to be part of the city.