I'd never really though much about 20th century American architecture or
Frank Lloyd Wright until I read a devastating novel based on the life of a
woman who knew him intimately. "Loving Frank" is written through the eyes
of Mameh Borthwhick who had an unconventional and scandalous
relationship with him in the first decades of the 20th century. (I recommend the
book!)
architects would build homes. His houses are set back from the street so
they would blend in with the trees and other surroundings. This is the one
I visited in Oak Park, Chicago. It's the first home he built and eventually
housed his studio too.
He was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement - designing beautiful furniture
and windows. This one was 'salvaged' by the Art Institute when the house it
was in was demolished.
We made the 20 minute drive out to Oak Park on a cold, windy morning. The
house and studio are owned and run by a foundation that does a good job at
fundraising: There's a 15 dollar fee for an hour long guided tour. I don't
consider that expensive. But then we were told we couldn't take any pictures
of the interiors of the house! Copyright protection. So, of course I later spent
ten dollars buying the full colour guidebook of the house. So, since I couldn't
take notes with my camera, I scribbled down notes as we walked.
What struck me were that the rooms - lined in oak - were low-ceilinged and dark.
Of course it was a dark day. But my first impression was that it didn't feel like
comfortable family home. The first thing you see carved into a wooden plaque
over the fireplace in the living room is Wright's motto: "Truth is Life! Good friend,
Around these hearth-stones speak no evil of any living creature....." I can't
argue with the sentiment, but it does feel rather dour.
Yet with every addition to the home, his design genius shone. I loved the room he
built for the dining room. Again, a low ceiling, but this time illuminated by an
electric light filtered through one of his beautiful glass designs. This website
allows you a glimpse of some of the rooms:
And I was amazed by the 'playroom' he built for his six children. It features
an enormous barrel arch ceiling...with window seats at children's height. You
can get an idea of it from this artilce in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Once the tour was over we were free to take as many pictures as we wanted of
the exteriors and of other homes (now privately owned) in the same neighbourhood.
He designed the sculpture (below.) It is an image of 'creativity' struggling to burst forth!
The rest of the pictures below are simply more examples of his work. (At one
point a resident glared at Blair for being an uncouth tourist. He survived!)
No comments:
Post a Comment