For some unknown reason there will always be a debate over Frank Lloyd Wright and his works and life. Granted Frank’s life was sometimes on the scandalous side. But that certainly doesn’t deter thousands upon thousands of devotees who are great admirers of his work. And why there is ever any discussion of the fact that he is quite simply the greatest architect that ever lived, I will never know. For myself, and many others, over that there is no doubt.
Growing up in places such as London and Charleston I have also loved old houses. There is nothing I love more than to take Jaz for walks in our local historic districts and just marvel at all of those old homes. No matter how many times I see them. And every time I go to places such as Charleston or Savannah and look at those big plantation homes, I imagine myself rambling around in a big ole’ hooped skirt. But for all those lovely Victorian, Greek Revival, and Tudor homes, my favorite abode in the whole world is Wright’s Falling Waters located in rural Pennsylvania. I am drawn to the simple beauty of the home as it is perched over a waterfall. Spectacular!. Every since I saw that home in a book I have been a huge admirer of his work.
Frank was born in 1867 and died in 1959. His career expanded over 70 years. During that time he started 1,141 works which included houses, offices, churches, schools, libraries, bridges, museum, and more. 503 were completed and of those 409 can still be admired today.
Now as I explained in an earlier journal the 1960s and '70s were known for lots of things not so great (Vietnam, Nixon, atrocious tastes in home furnishings, avocado green appliances, free love, free drugs, good music though) but there were also lots of good that come from this time period. Among them a desire to preserve and protect our historic landmarks throughout the country. Prior to 1970 there were only 2 of FLW’s houses open to the public. Today more than 20 homes are open to the public and more than 1 million visitors come each year to view these historical treasures. Among them are Taliesin in WI, Taliesin West in AZ, the Robie House and his home and studio in Chicago, and of course Falling Waters. In 1959 he completed the famous Guggenheim museum in NYC and today it is enjoyed by thousands every year. Approximately 1/3 of Frank’s homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Frank took us out of the box style of the Victorian homes and gave us the straightforward prairie style homes. His homes have clean simple lines and make use of natural resources. His floor plans are open and flow from one room to the next. He also makes use of the surroundings and blends his homes in with the landscape. Quite a change from the opulent homes of the times. When he designed Falling Waters he built this eye-catching residence over a waterfall rather than try to destroy the fall or try to work around it.
The FLW House Beautiful exhibit is a one-of-a-kind look at the furniture Frank designed as well as drawings, metal works, textiles, and accessories. There are 100 pieces in the collection which come from both his foundation and private collectors. There were also wall panels, photographs, historical publications that included maps, books, and catalogs.
The show first began in Feb. 2006 in Naples, Fl, and will continue through January 2008. There are 6 cities lucky enough to be chosen to play host to this most extraordinary display. This of course included Columbia. It is currently showing in Midland MI at the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art through 5/27. The last lucky recipients will be the Phillbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, OK.
For me this was simply an honor to see all of these remarkable pieces. Just to look at his blue prints and see where he took notes and to know that these were from the hands of Wright was truly an something I will never forget And if the display is coming to your town, I hope you will step inside and enjoy this collection.
For information on all things FLW you can go to
www.franklloydwright.org. This website is sit up by the FLW foundation and offers information on Frank, the exhibit, and touring the homes that are open to the public.
There is another rare treat for fans of Frank who live nearby (or who are interested in coming in). On November 3rd and 4th, 2007 there will be a rare chance to visit the Auldbrass Plantation (www.south-carolina-plantations.com/beaufort/auldbrass.html) in Yemassee SC (near Beaufort). The plantation is the only plantation house ever designed by Wright.
In 1939 C. Leigh Stevens who did some work for the Savannah River Lumber Co. commissioned Frank to design a home for him in Yemassee on land the company gave him. The work was to be done several phases and contained a number of out buildings. Unfortunately a series of set backs including war, finances, fire, and the deaths of both Wright in 1959 and Stevens 3 years later, left the home unfinished. In 1987 producer Joel Silver (
The Matrix, V for Vendetta, Veronica Mars, Ghost Ship, Sword Fish) purchased the home and completed the work. Silver is considered an authority on Wright and owns several other FLW homes. He purchased it from the Open Land Trust on the agreement it would be open on occasion to the public. It was open recently for a special tour to coincide with the FLW exhibit in Columbia and it is open every other year (odd numbered years). If you would like a chance to tour this home you can go to
www.openlandtrust.com and click on Auldbrass. It will give you an email address to contact in case you’re interested. So you can better believe you will see me there. Hope to see you there!