The ArchiTech Gallery in Chicago recently announced their winter 2011 show. Titled The Sketchbooks of Alfonso Iannelli and running January 7 - April 30, 2011, its sure to delight anyone interested in progressive design and Machine Age Modernism. More info after the jump...
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December 2010
YellowBird Live 360°
Nelson B. sent a link to a really interesting new piece of technology called yellowBird Live, which captures full-motion 360° video instead of a still image. Nelson astutely pointed out how amazing it would be to capture some of the Organic Architecture we all love in such a high-tech way. See more here.
Image via yellowBird Live website
John Randal McDonald House For Sale
Karen Driscoll recently contacted us about posting some images and info about her mother's John Randal McDonald-designed home in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, which is for sale. See and read more after the jump...
Los Angeles Needs A Game Plan
Mark H. sent us a link to an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times about L.A.'s struggle with allowing developers of big city projects to build blandly designed structures, and thus shape the city in a negative way. A recent example of this struggle are seen in the plans for a new downtown football stadium. Read more here.
Looking Past The Rose Pararde
According to Southern California Public Radio, the most viewed item during Pasadena's televised Rose Parade isn’t a float or person, it’s the Norton Simon Museum on Colorado Boulevard. Another interesting fact is that the museum is home to nearly 200 19th century Japanese Utagawa Hiroshige woodblock prints (currently on exhibit) that were once owned by Frank Lloyd Wright. Read and hear more here.
Image via Norton Simon Museum website
So Long Kodachrome
The New York Times reports that today will mark the end of a photography icon. The last processor in the world of Kodachrome, the first successful color film which Kodak recently ceased producing in 2009, is scheduled to stop offering the service and sell the last processing machine for scrap. Read more about it here.
Image via the NYT
A Wood Chip Off The Block
The Frank Lloyd Wright Newsblog provides a link to an Haute Living interview of Wright's great grandson, S. Lloyd Natof, who is a Chicago-based furniture maker. Read it here.
Photo credit: Michael Hahn
Reminder: December 2010 Living PrairieMod Newsletter Drawing
The generous owners of Frank Lloyd Wright's Schwartz House (aka Still Bend) in Two Rivers, Wisconsin are giving one lucky PrairieMod winner a two night stay at this amazing rental property!
Only subscribers of the Living PrairieMod Weekly Newsletter are eligible, so we invite you to sign-up! You'll receive info on how to enter in today's newsletter. A winner will be chosen on 12/31/10.
Image copyright TheSchwartzHouse.com
An Extended Idea
Louis Sullivan's Idea, the amazing exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center, has been extended until May 2, 2011. If you have not seen it yet, then get to Chicago and check it out! More details here.
Image copyright Joan Kallas
Lovers Of Art Deco Art And Autos: Start Your Engines!
The 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 is being honored with a new postage stamp in 2011. The stamp will feature a fantastic art deco illustration of driver Ray Harroun's Marmon "Wasp," which won the first Indy 500 in 1911. Read more about it here.
Image via indystar.com
In Other Tear Down News...
In McCook, Nebraska, a Red Willow County-owned, two-story, 98-year-old apartment house that sits close to Frank Lloyd Wright's Sutton House will be torn down. The house has historical significance of its own, but it seems the economics of saving the structure are working against preserving it. Read more here.
Image via mccookgazette.com
Progressive Art At Brookfield Zoo
A recent trip to Brookfield Zoo helped remind me of all the progressive 1930s WPA artwork associated with the zoological park. Their Discovery Center building lobby features several unique items and informational boards describing the art and artists' work of the era. Here's a link to a great poster for the zoo by Paul Kreger that is now part of the WPA Art Collection at the Illinois State Museum. See it here. Does anyone else have any cool 1930s items from the Brookfield Zoo featuring progressive artwork? Send us a scan and we'll be sure to share.
Image via museum.state.il.us
Dances With Kitties
PrairieMod reader Jessamyn M. sent us a link to some amusing cardboard architecture for cat lovers. If your feline is feeling a little rustic, they can enjoy hanging out in their own teepee or frontier cabin. Check it out here.
Image via www.fastcodesign.com
Teco Pottery Auction Price Sets Record
You wouldn't know there were hard economic times going on by Sotheby's most recent auction results. Their December 14, 2010 20th Century Design sale netted in excess of $19 million, including $314,500 for a rare "Calla Lily" Teco vase—a new auction record for the Prairie School pottery. Read more here.
Image via Sotheby's website
Unity Temple Unfortunately Makes Top 10 List
The end of a year means a litany of "Top 10" lists. Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple is no stranger to appearing on these sorts of lists for its architectural importance. But it also appears on the triblocal.com's Oak Park/River Forest 2010 list for the unfortunate theft of its iconic epigram letters. Read more here.
Image via triblocal.com
Brookfield's Prairie School
The PrairieMod Squad was in Brookfield, IL yesterday enjoying a traditional outing to Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo. Of course, there are other interesting things in the town besides the zoo. For instance, William Eugene Drummond designed this fantastic Kindergarten in 1911, which now serves as a private residence. In looking for info on the building, I came across this image of an early real photo post card of it. Follow the link to learn and see more.
Photo credit: Rick McNees. RPPC image via eBay
Bah, Humbug!
Edward Lifson's Hello Beautiful! blog featured a video of Jon Miller, president of Chicago architectural photography firm Hedrich Blessing, being a bit "Grinchy." Why is Jon grumpy? Apparently he doesn't like when iconic architecture is lit-up in festive lights for the different seasons. Decide if his heart is 3 sizes too small here.
Image via Edward Lifson's Hello Beautiful!
Marin County's Jail: Wright Or Wrong?
Here's a link to an intriguing article in the San Rafael Patch about the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Marin County Civic Center and its posthumously executed jail—does it complete Wright's vision or through the architect's grand plan in the hole? Read more here and find out.
Image via San Rafael Patch
An Award Well Deserved
Gunny Harboe was one of Chicago Magazine's "Chicagoans of the Year" for 2010, thanks to the amazing restoration efforts on Louis Sullivan's former Carson Pirie Scott & Co. store (now called Sullivan Center). Read all about it and watch a video of Gunny touring his work here.
Image via chicagomag.com
FLWBC California Event Announced
News of an exciting event comes from the Frank Lloyd Wright Buiding Conservancy. What does Hollyhock House have in common with the Taj Mahal? Find out on Saturday, February 26 when Wright expert Lynda Waggoner, Director of Fallingwater and Conservancy board member, discusses the ongoing UNESCO World Heritage List nomination process and the Conservancy’s serial nomination of several Wright structures, including Hollyhock. The lecture will be held at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre and followed by a tour of the magnificent Hollyhock House. The day is also scheduled to include a tour of the Millard House (1923-1924), Wright's first and most celebrated use of textile block, in nearby Pasadena, as well as an evening reception at a distinctive Hollywood destination. Location and additional details will be announced shortly. Sign-up here for the FLWBC's email newsletters to stay informed.
Images via hollyhockhouse.net and millardhouse.com
A Little More Christmas Cheer
Here's another follow-up to our Organic Architecture holiday card feature article: Taliesin Fellow, Earl Nisbet was kind enough to send us a very cool holiday card he designed a few years back.
As he describes it: "I abstracted a Christmas Tree [and folded it] so it could be mailed. The folks at the other end would have to unfold it in order for it to stand upright—but most of my friends could figure it out."
Such a clever design and a wonderful treat to see. Thanks Earl and Happy Holidays!
Image credit: Earl Nisbet
Kabza House For Sale
PrairieMod reader, Lyn P. was kind enough to send us a real estate listing for the Kabza House in Ann Arbor, MI. It's a wonderful example of the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin school of architecture designed by Robert Pond (Taliesin Fellow from 1949 to 1954). See the listing here and thanks Lyn!
Image via kabzahouse.com
A Gift For Martin House
How's this for a Christmas gift: New York State Senator, Antoine Thompson presented $250,000 worth of state funding to the Darwin D. Martin House Project on Thursday December 23. The funds will help on-going restoration efforts on one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most important Prairie School works. Read more about it here.
Image via www.darwinmartinhouse.org
Protecting A Landmark
93-year-old Martyl Langsdorf, who lives and works in the house built by Robert Paul Schweikher for his own home and studio, is taking steps to make sure it’s preserved and stays open for tours. She’s helped start a non-profit trust that will seek endowments to protect the National Landmark home. Read all about it here.
Image via schweikherhouse.org
Chicagoans Of The Year
Blair Kamin reports at his blog, Cityscapes, that two landscape architects — Peter Schaudt and Ernest Wong — were named as the 2010 Chicagoans of the Year in Design. It's a sign that the thoughtful consideration and expert design of the spaces around buildings is as important as the buildings themselves. Read more here.
Image via Blair Kamin's Cityscapes
Shelter From The Norm
If you're looking for a custom-build home environment that is not treated "as mere luxury, but as a fundamental emotional connection, a place to celebrate, relax, and refuel," then check out the work of New Hampshire-based architectural firm Noldesign LLC. For info about their work and mission, follow the link.
Image credit: Noldesign LLC
A Little More Christmas
We had a wonderful response to our recent feature article on Organic Architecture holiday cards. As a special treat, here are a couple more cards that our generous PrairieMod readers sent. See them after the jump...
Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Archive Donated
Artdaily.org reports that the archives of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects, the firm responsible for the 1992 addition to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, have been donated to the Yale University Library’s Department of Manuscripts and Archives by Bette-Ann Gwathmey, the widow of founding partner Charles Gwathmey. Read more here.
Image via gwathmey-siegel.com
Get Stollerized
You hadn't arrives as an architect until your work was "Stollerized," according to Metropolis Magazine, which takes a look at the life and work of one of the masters of architectural photography, Ezra Stoller. Follow the link to see some of his beautiful work and learn more.
Image via Metropolis Magazine website
GA Residential Masterpieces 09
Just in time for the 2011 Centennial celebration of Frank Lloyd Wright's home in Spring Green, WI comes news that GA has released the new Residential Masterpieces 09 all about the Taliesins—North and West. With text by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer and photographs by Yukio Futagawa, you can bet it'll be great. Check out some of the inside pages and get your copy here.
Image via GA
Three Wise Gifts For This Holiday Season
If you're looking for the last-minute gift for the lover of art and design on your list, then you're in luck! Three new books from Princeton Architectural Press explore a diverse variety of topics—from the developement of a visual language, to a fascinating miniature domestic world to a behind-the-scenes look at bringing large sculpture to life. Read the reviews after the jump...
Continue reading "Three Wise Gifts For This Holiday Season" »
Adler & Sullivan's Urban Remains
Debbie B. sent us word that a matching pair of extremely rare skylight art glass windows from Adler & Sullivan's Chicago Stock Exchange Building (now lost) are being sold at Urban Remains, a Chicago-based architectural salvage company. These probably cost a king's ransom, but all I can think about is how sad they couldn't stay where they belong. If you want to experience what they once looked like in place, visit the Trading Room floor installation at the Chicago Art Institute—it's amazing and heartbreaking all at the same time.
Image credit: Urban Remains
Simply Scandinavian
PrairieMod reader Paul R. sent a link to the website for Scandinavian Designs/Dania, a company with plenty of Modern-minded furniture that would add some comfort and style to any home. Check out the site here.
Image via www.scandinaviandesigns.com
Yule Love These Four Churches
Curbed.com recently listed their choice of four artful places of worship for this year's season of Yuletide spiritual reflection. Among the four places listed were Rothko Chapel in Houston, TX (The PMod Squad was just there!) and Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple in Oak Park. Find out the other two sites here.
Image credit: Hickey Robertson
Holiday Magic At The Bradley House
Check out the link to some great photos from the "Primo Bacio" event held recently at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed B. Harley Bradley House in Kankakee, IL. See more here.
Image credit: Scott Anderson
In Memoriam: Theodore van Fossen
Architect and builder, Theodore van Fossen, who designed close to 50 homes in the Usonian community of Rush Creek Village in Worthington, Ohio died at age 91 on December 9, 2010. Read more about his life and work here.
Image via www.dispatch.com
6 Degrees Of Noguchi
Here's a link to an article in the New York Times about industrious sculptor/designer Isamu Noguchi, his many creative intersections with cultural icons and the new exhibit about his artistic rise at the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens. Read it here.
Image via NYT/Noguchi Museum
Looking Forward To 2011
I'm already looking forward to adding these two books to my library in 2011: Building The Pauson House: The Letters of Frank Lloyd Wright and Rose Pauson and Louis Sullivan: Creating A New American Architecture. We'll be sure to review them for readers when they come out. In the mean time, get more details here.
Images via Pomegranate
Give Me Shelter
AZCentral.com gives you a virtual look at some of hte amazing desert shelters built by students of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. See more here. Also, check out the School's new website here.
Image via azcentral.com
No Rest At The Park Inn
Crews continue to work at restoring Frank lloyd Wright's Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, IA. Working on the foundation and pouring a new concrete floor was on the recent work docket, even asthe snowflakes fall. Read more here.
Don't Call Him A "Starchitect"
Lee Bey posts about the upcoming Playboy magazine interview of Frank Gehry. Gehry expounds on his career and experiences...and the fact that he hates being called a "starchictect." Read about it here.
Image via Lee Bey's Chicago blog
Stay On Target...
Big box store Target is apparently close to a deal to open a new location in Louis Sullivan's Carson Pirie Scott & Co. store on State St. in Chicago. Read about it here.
Image via suntimes.com
And The Gold Goes To...
Blair Kamin reports that Tokyo architect Fumihiko Maki was named the 2011 winner of the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects. He joins the ranks of such other architectural luminaries as Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei and Renzo Piano. Read more about it here.
Image via Cityscapes
Architectural Souvenirs of Bygone Stores
Mark Hertzberg of Wright in Racine sent us a link to a fascinating New York Times article about the architectural ghosts of New York businesses past. The stores maybe gone, but the gift of the architecture that still graces the streetscapes goes on. Read more here.
Image via nytimes.com
Some Good News For A Change
We received word recently from the blog Vanishing STL that one of the Modernist homes designed for Morton D. May's, president of The May Department Stores Company, has been saved from the wrecking ball. Read more about it here.
Image via Vanishing STL
Longing For The Lost Imperial
Via Wright Chat comes a suite of links to some articles at hotelchatter.com about remenants and memories of Frank Lloyd Wright's magnificent Imperial Hotel, which once stood in Tokyo but is now lost to the ages. Read them here, here and here.
Image via hotelchatter.com
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