PrairieMod

Reminder: Iannelli Project Needs Your Help!

Just a reminder to PrairieMod readers: a couple weeks ago I put out a call for artwork, photos, letters, and other related items associated with the Iannelli Studios.

I'm currently working on the design of a new book project: the first comprehensive monograph on Alfonso Iannelli and the Iannelli Studios that is slated to be published later this year.

To make the book a success (both for content and visually) I'm reaching out to PrairieMod readers to see if anyone has Iannelli-related photos, drawings, artwork, letters, etc. that they'd be willing to share hi-res images of for possible inclusion in the book.

Thanks to those that have responded already! I've gotten some great leads already and some generous offers.

If you have such items, please contact me at eric@prairiemod.com and I'll be happy to discuss the project and your Iannelli items with you in more detail.

Image via PrairieMod

Architectural Bling

Looking for the perfect Valentine's Day gift for the one in your life that loves architecture and jewelry? Then consider something from Andrea Panico's Little Architecture collection, as featured in New York Magazine. More here.

Image via nymag.com

Calling All Iannelli Fans: I Need Your Help!

Exciting news for anyone who loves progressive art and design!

I'm currently working on the design of a new book project: the first comprehensive monograph on Alfonso Iannelli and the Iannelli Studios that is slated to be published later this year.

To make the book a success (both for content and visually) I'm reaching out to PrairieMod readers to see if anyone has Iannelli-related photos, drawings, artwork, letters, etc. that they'd be willing to share hi-res images of for possible inclusion in the book.

If you have such items, please contact me at eric@prairiemod.com and I'll be happy to discuss the project and your Iannelli items with you in more detail.

Image via PrairieMod

Putting Words In Burnham's Mouth

Blair Kamin has been thoroughly covering Chicago's Navy Pier re-design competition (of which the 5 finalist designs were recently unveiled) on his blog, Cityscapes.

One thing Blair wants to makes sure is squelched is the propensity by some of the competitors to attribute the phrase that Chicago's lakefront should remain "forever open, clear and free" to Daniel Burnham. Burnham did not say that. Read more about it here.

Image via wikipedia

BUILD :: Russell Mahoney's Midway.Furniture Project

Now in the Features section: a look at Taliesin School of Architecture student Russell Mahoney's challenge of bringing the historic and the cutting edge together in his student shelter design. Read it here.

To stay on top of new PrairieMod features as they roll out, subscribe here.

Image copyright Eric Oxendorf

Mmmmm....Architecture

Even though the holidays have past, you can still recall the mood by checking out this link that Scott T. found, featuring yummy Frank Lloyd Wright gingerbread building creations that were on display in December 2011 at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. Gobble it up here.

Image via designwire.interiordesign.net

Zoo Blast From The Past

PrairieMod reader, Steven S., sent a link to a mentalfloss.com post showcasing several WPA era posters for zoos, including Chicago's own Brookfield Zoo! Check it out here.

Image via mentalfloss.com

And The Design Oscar Goes To....

In other House Industries news, their photolettering.com website was recently nominated for Design Museum London's "Design
of the Year 2012" award (aka "The "Oscars of the design world"). Check out more info about the award and the museum exhibit that features the winners here.

Image via House Industries

Fanatical Mechanical: Photo-Lettering And The Paste-Up Era

House Industries sent word about a new exhibition titled "Fanatical Mechanical: Photo-Lettering and the Paste-Up Era" opens February 6, 2012 at Chapman University¹s Guggenheim Gallery. The show will display mechanical-era graphic artifacts with their modern iterations and deftly demonstrates the relevance of traditional graphic arts techniques in a contemporary context. By adroitly juxtaposing traditional materials and processes with contemporary applications, "Fanatical Mechanical" is less a history lesson and more a lesson of how to learn from history.

The exhibition opens Feb. 6, 2012, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with opening Lecture by Rich Roat of House Industries, Feb. 6, 2012, 6:00 p.m. Located at the Chapman University Guggenheim Gallery, Orange, CA, the exhibition runs from Feb. 6, 2012 through March 9, 2012 and is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details here.

Image via House Industries

Girard Homage

PrairieMod Squad member, Jared Fanning and his wife undertook a really great project over the holidays that he wanted to share with readers. Follow the link to see the nesting doll set they created as an homage to Alexander Girard's Vitra wooden doll designs. Very cool, Jared--thanks for sharing!

Image via Jared Fanning

Iannelli Studios Progress Report

We've been doing our best to keep readers informed of the wonderful work being undertaken by the Kalo Foundation and several generous volunteers to help bring the Iannelli Studios in Park Ridge, IL back to life. I received some photos from the Kalo Foundation of more renovation work being done recently that I thought everyone would enjoy seeing. More after the jump...

The Genius Of Design

The only upside of being sick this past weekend was that I was able to find some time on the couch watching some interesting shows on television. One such show is "The Genius of Design" from the Smithsonian Channel. As a designer, I found a series exploring the history and importance of design in our society fascinating. Find out more here.

Image via smithsonianchannel.com

A Graphic Look At Ronchamp

I thought I'd take a break from the Frank Lloyd Wright architectural illustrations and focus on a few of the other "starchitects."

Here's my graphic take on Le Corbusier's La Chapelle de Notre Dame du Haut (aka "Ronchamp"), the Franco-Swiss architect's sublime sacred space built in France in 1954. Plan to see it for yourself here.

I'd love to hear suggestions for other building illustrations!

Illustration copyright PrairieMod

Put A Chair On It

We love Eames as much as the next mid-century maniac, but the proliferation of Eames-chairs-as-graphic-treatment has us wondering if these iconic pieces are one potholder away from becoming a Portlandia spoof. Thoughts?

Images via the web

A Graphic Look At Graycliff

After posting my recent illustration of the Darwin D. Martin House in Buffalo, NY, I received a request to create one for another Frank Lloyd Wright Buffalo commission: The Isabelle Martin House, aka "Graycliff". Plan your visit to this beautiful estate here.

I've had fun creating these Mod architectural illustrations this year and I hope readers have enjoyed them, too. Check out all of the past designs here and look for more in 2012!

Illustration copyright PrairieMod

Sullivan Stencil For Sale

Urban Remains recently posted for sale an ultra-rare, Louis Sullivan-designed original stenciled fragment from the now lost Chicago Stock Exchange. For $39,500 it can be yours! Check out more info and photos here.

If you don't quite have that much disposable income, but still like the design, then consider purchasing a reproduction instead.

Image via Urban Remains

A Graphic Look At The Darwin Martin House

A PrairieMod reader requested I take a stab at interpreting the Darwin D. Martin House in Buffalo, NY as part of the series of architectural illustrations I've currently been creating. If you'd like to see the real thing, then plan your visit here.

Illustration copyright PrairieMod

Marie, Louis And Will

The winter 2011/2012 issue of Style 1900 magazine features three articles on some turn-of-the-last-century creative heavyweights: Marie Zimmerman, Louis Sullivan, and Will Bradley. Get your copy on news stands or through the magazine's website.

Image via Style 1900 website

Iannelli's Roof Needs Replacing...And Your Help

Saving the Iannelli Home and Studio from certain destruction was one of the historic preservation bright spots in 2011. Since taking possession of the building in August of this year, The Kalo Foundation has already made extensive emergency repairs to the long-neglected building. But, all of the repairs made left limited funds to handle one of the most critical items on the list: A new roof.

Read more about this critical need and all of the restoration efforts here. If you're interested in supporting the wonderful work undertaken by the Kalo Foundation and other volunteers trying to restore this unique historic site, then please consider donating whatever you are able here.

Photograph by Richard Nickel, courtesy of the Richard Nickel Committee, Chicago, Illinois

Rapson Rocks

John C. sends word of two items of interest to anyone who loves the furniture designs of architect Ralph Rapson. First, the Winter 2011 issue of Modernism magazine features an article on Rapson as a chair designer. Secondly, an exhibit titled "Ralph Rapson: Chair Design in the Architect’s Studio" will be held at Danish Teak Classics + DTC | X (Northeast Minneapolis in the Northrup King Building: 1500 Jackson St NE # 120,  Minneapolis, MN) from Dec. 29, 2011- Jan. 31, 2012. Details here.

Image via Rapson Inc

A Hrdy Mystery

Nelson B. sends a link to an article at This Land Press' website about Avant-garde artist, Olinka Hrdy and the mystery surrounding the fate of her famous abstract murals executed for Bruce Goff's Riverside Studio (1929). Olinka Hrdy briefly worked at the Iannelli Studios in Park Ridge, IL at the end of 1933, designing billboards and trophies while there. Tim Samuelson was kind enough to send a photo of Olinka Hrdy working on the Riverside Studio murals for readers to catch a glimpse of what is now missing. Read the article here to learn more.

Images courtesy Tim Samuelson

A Graphic Look At The Price Tower

Here's the latest installment in the series of architectural illustrations I've currently been creating. This one is a simplified graphic interpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower in Bartlesville, OK. If you'd like to see the real thing, then plan your visit here.

Illustration copyright PrairieMod

Help End The Year Right For The Iannelli Studios

2011 was a landmark year for historic preservation in the town of Park Ridge, IL. Despite long odds and the pressure of the ongoing economic recession, the historically important Alfonso Iannelli Home & Studios building was saved from destruction by a grassroots campaign of donations (which PrairieMod readers generously participated in) and volunteerism. As the year closes, Herb Zuegel of the Kalo Foundation gives us all an update on the effort to restore and transform the building into a new cultural destination. But it doesn't come without challenges. More info after the jump...

Manning Productions Monkeys Around

Joanne H. sends a link to information about Chicago-based digital creative agency, Manning Productions, and their recent project working with the Lincoln Park Zoo to develop a digital kids' book. The "book" is titled Chimps Should Be Chimps and is intended to help get the word out about Project ChimpCARE, "a non-partisan group committed to improving the well-being of chimpanzees." Find out more here.

Image via chimpsshouldbechimps.com

Charles And Ray Eames: American Masters

If you missed seeing Charles & Ray Eames: The Architect and the Painter on the PBS series, American Masters, last night, then follow the link to watch it online.

Image via firstrunfeatures.com

House Industries And Hermes Horse Around For The Holidays

House Industries sent us word on one of their latest projects, the Hermes holiday 2011-2012 window installations for their flagship Tokyo store in Ginza. Check out more here.

Image via houseind.com

RECALL :: Rare WPA-Era Zoo Guide Cover Artist Uncovered

Now in the Features section — a special look at the life and work of the artist responsible for the award winning illustration that appeared on The Chicago Zoological Park's very first guide book. Read it here.

To stay on top of new PrairieMod features as they roll out, subscribe here.

Image via PrairieMod

A Graphic Look At The Larkin Building

It's been awhile since I did one of my graphic architectural illustrations. Based on an PrairieMod reader suggestion emailed to me, I thought I'd create an illustration of Frank Lloyd Wright's Larkin Administration Building, which once stood in Buffalo, NY. Enjoy!

Illustration copyright PrairieMod

Edgar Miller For The Holidays

Don't miss an exciting show at the Richard Norton Gallery this December titled "Edgar Miller For The Holidays." The exhibit features several works created by Chicago's forgotten renaissance man, including hand painted plates, graphic designs, mural and people sketches. See some of the items here and if you are in Chicago, visit the show at the gallery's Merchandise Mart location. More here.

Image via Richard Norton Gallery website

Bavinger Follow-Up And Form Follows Nature

Nelson B. sends a few links of interest to PrairieMod readers: The first is a follow-up piece at This Land Press on the senseless and sketchy circumstances surrounding the loss of Bruce Goff's Bavinger House. Read it here.

The second is a link to information about an exhibit that looks at how Nature is used as inspiration for developing forms 
in architecture, engineering and the fine arts titled "Form Follows Nature." Learn more here.

Image via This Land Press

The Wright Drawer Pull...The Wrong Hotel?

Art.net recently featured 10 questions pitched to Miami dealer and collector, Sloan Schaffer.

Of interest was mention of and photos showing an Edward Wormley cabinet in Schaffer's collection that incorporates what the article calls "a prototype for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Wright designed the drawer pulls."

There's one problem with that statement: The design shown on the pulls closely resembles a portion of the concrete block design for the Arizona Biltmore Hotel (whose architect of record is Albert Chase McArthur — Wright was ultimately considered an architectural consultant on the project). It does not look like any of the carved oyo stone designs I'm familiar with from the Imperial.

Anyone have any more info they could share on this interesting furniture collaboration? Read the article here.

Images via art.net/pamprice.blogspot.com

Make Your Own Gingerbread Fallingwater

Curbed.com showcases 10 of the all-time most spectacular gingerbread houses. Now you can try your hand at creating this insanely detailed Fallingwater, thanks to plans you can purchase from makeamarkdesigns.com. Buy them here.

Image via curbed.com

Ice Cube And Eames – An Unexpected Mash-Up

Here's a Q&A with rapper Ice Cube, who elaborates on his appreciation for Eames, his stint studying architectural drafting and his take on Los Angeles architecture. Be sure to check out the accompanying video of Cube touring the Eames house.

Image via pacificstandardtime.org

BANDmade's Piece of Cake

The special packaging edition of the band CAKE's single "Bound Away" was recently featured in the newest issue of HOW magazine. After reading the magazine snippet, I went over to the website for BANDmade Books to learn more of how they worked with CAKE to handmake each copy of this lovely music package. See how it was made here and order your copy here.

Image via store.cakemusic.com

The Architecture Of Everyday Things

Check out this great video from Luis Urculo and Cris Blanco wherein great works of architecture are created from everyday objects. See it here.

Image via vimeo.com

A Door That Opens Eyes

Chicago glass artist, Larry Zgoda (who worked with another legendary Chicago artist, Edgar Miller) was kind enough to send an image of his newly completed studio door. It's a stunning art glass tour de force that would be sure to add inspiration to any space. To see more of Larry's work, follow the link.

Image credit: Richard Bruck

Howe Textile Design Brought To Life

Rob Barros checked-in this morning to say that his Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians "Works in Progress" lecture went very well last night. The extended trailer for the John Howe documentary was shown and several engaging questions followed, as well as some new Howe-related networking connections were made that will surely help the final film.

The highlight of the lecture had to be the unveiling of the Howe-designed textile that Rob had executed. He was kind enough to send a shot of the embroidered design as it appeared against the Nokomis Library's Kasota Stone walls. A fantastic tribute to John Howe, the "Pillar of Taliesin." Learn more about Rob's documentary here.

Image copyright Rob Barros

Craft Your Holiday

Looking to decorate a little more "crafty" this season? Then you'll want to check out the wide variety of holiday themed kits from the Paper Source. You can deck the halls with paper garlands, paper wreaths and even cute paper gnomes. Get inspired here.

Image via paper-source.com

Play With Your "Food"

MocoLoco features some fun food-inspired Mod wooden tops by designer Andreau Carulla. If your kids don't think fruits or vegetables are fun, maybe they'll change their minds after taking these for a spin. More here.

Image via MocoLoco

"Masters of Modern Design" Prints For Sale

Designer Joel Pirela's prints, which pay homage to iconic mid-century designers, are on sale on Fab.com. Sale ends Friday, November 25, 2011.

Image via Joel Pirela

iPhone Alarm Dock

Paul R. sends a link to a sweet and very Mod wooden dock for your iPhone from Uncommon Goods that turns it into a bedside alarm clock. More details and order info here.

Image via uncommongoods.com

Eames: The Architect And The Painter

Film Journal International offers a review of the new documentary, Eames: The Architect and the Painter, from First Run Features. Read the review here and check out more on the film here.

Image via firstrunfeatures.com

Usonian Occasionals From Copeland

I came across a tantalizing peek at new Frank Lloyd Wright-designed licensed furniture from Copeland Furniture and thought I'd share. It's what many of us Mod-minded lovers of Wright's design have been waiting for: Usonian Furniture! Find out more after the jump...

Katy Ralph Recalls Life At The Iannelli Studios

The Kalo Foundation recently enjoyed a visit from a very special vistor to the Iannelli Studios building in Park Ridge, IL. Katy Ralph grew up knowing the Iannelli's and returned to see the building Kalo has worked so hard to save from destruction. Read more about this remarkable story after the jump...

Shop One-Of-A-Kind Modern This Holiday

Looking for the perfectly unique gift for the design lover on your holiday gift list? Then check out the ArchiTech Gallery in Chicago for one-of-a-kind architecture and design drawings. This unique Alfonso Iannelli drawing of geometric sconces at left is one of several pieces currently on special pricing for the holidays--contact the ArchiTech Gallery for more details here.

Image via The ArchiTech Gallery

Heath Classic Holiday Pieces Are Back

Heath Ceramics announced that their seasonal pieces in red are back! These beautiful MCM icons are the perfect holiday gift to give to someone special--or enjoy for yourself. I especially like the hot cocoa set and think it would make Chicago winters a little easier to enjoy. Check out the 2011 Heath seasonal offerings here.

Image via Heath Ceramics

Check Out Lake Geneva Library's Special Windows

The Lake Geneva library, designed by Taliesin-trained architect James Dresser, recently installed two original Frank Lloyd Wright-designed art glass windows from the (now destroyed) Lake Geneva Hotel. Read more about it here.

Image via lakegenevanews.net

8 Is Enough

Simon Garfield profiles the 8 Worst Fonts in the World for Fast Co Design.com. Find out here which eight typefaces take the cake as the most visually offensive. Is your "favorite" on the list?

Image via fastcodesign.com

Steve & Frank

In other Jobs-related news: Adam F. sends a link to an article at Design Bureau drawing comparisons between two uniquely American creative geniuses: Steve Jobs and Frank Lloyd Wright. Read it here.

Images via wearedesignbureau.com

These Prints Rock!

Jaime Derringer's fun prints, some of which feature the iconic Eames rocking chair, are available on Fab.com until Saturday, October 29, 2011. Rock on!

Image credit: Jaime Derringer