So I just finished reading “The Women” (T.C. Boyle) and re-reading “Loving Frank” (Nancy Horan) which prompts me to ask: is anybody else a little tired of biographies about Frank Lloyd Wright’s personal life involving his many, many affairs? I mean I think it’s one of those topics that everyone is interested in, but to a point.
Don’t get me wrong, I love FLW drama as much as the next person but can we cover any one of his other humanizing and interesting flaws, like the terrible business deals or the paranoia? In that light I bring you what I think would work much better.
Frank Lloyd Wright is a cowboy-samurai who kills his master (Played by Louis Sullivan) after they have a battle to prove his strength, he then beats up sides of beef in a meat in a meat locker, after which he takes on the Empire (Skidmore Owens and Merrill) in his mid-western arts and crafts style centennial falcon. The New Emporer (Phillip Johnson) sends his mute German assassin/bounty-hunter/rival (Mies Van De Rohe), they play a game of cat and also cat until a mysterious figure shoots the assassin in the back. It’s his master (an even angrier Louis Sullivan) they have a moment of dearest hate and confusing love before he walks away into the fog.
None of that really happened, but I think that would be a better story than hearing the same story over and over again from the perspective of the significantly less interesting figures in his life.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Architecture Documentaries!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAdTTVdfwkc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
- Rem Koolhaas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1uyHKynEEQ
-Julius Shulman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyR_V6Li4s4&feature=PlayList&p=3D4496A021D787D2&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=4
- Louis Kahn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu9orvtStdY
-Frank Ghery
- Rem Koolhaas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1uyHKynEEQ
-Julius Shulman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyR_V6Li4s4&feature=PlayList&p=3D4496A021D787D2&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=4
- Louis Kahn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu9orvtStdY
-Frank Ghery
Love Letters to Dead Architects: The Mata-Hari of Modernism
Dear Rudolph Schindler,How ever did you survive the panther attack? I thought for certain I had found an acceptable means of eliminating my chief rival. I am impressed at your determination; you are much more dedicated than your counterpart: Richard Neutra.
As you know, Richard left me in a most cruel way in Vienna when he moved to the U.S. upon the insistence of Mr. FLLW. Luckily, I escaped to Italy before any real harm could be done, from there Paris, New York, Chicago and finally here.
Now, I have never much been one for idle gossip, but I heard through the California grape-vine that there is trouble in paradise between you, Frank and Dick. Something to do with you not being invited to Phillip Johnson’s latest International tea-party,
the one EVERYONE else was invited to. Oh and wasn’t there something else about Richard claiming your work on Wright’s Imperial Hotel? You’ve got brains Rudy, what you lack is deftness, I can help you there. Be the Eris to my Mars, or the other way around, however you like.I propose an alliance, you take out Wright and I’ll take Richard. I would take the Mid-westerner myself, but he would see that coming a mile away. He and I…well, the less said there the better.
If you agree with this arrangement, meet me at “The Pimento” in one hour and we’ll discuss logistics.
Yours,
Retly Corm
Dear Richard Nuetra,If you’re reading this, then congratulations!
You’ve found my abandoned house. I left this morning, the drawings, the models, the miniature cyclonorama, they’re all gone.
And shame on you for coming around here like I owe you something. I OWE YOU NOTHING! YOU LEFT ME! Even Adolph Loos agreed with me that you were in the wrong and you know how he and I never see eye-to-mustache on anything.
There we were, having a perfectly marvelous romance and then BAM! You have to run off to California to “find yourself” with that wad Frank Lloyd Wright and your buddy Schindler. Did you ever once think of me, as you were lounging by your sharp,
trendy pools in those sun-drenched valleys? Boozing it up with Ayn Rand in your fashionable 1920s patios?No, you left me holding the bag in Vienna; do you know how those neo-classicists hunted me after you left? I couldn’t buy schnitzel without getting at least one t-square hurled in my general direction. Do you know what the worst part was? The WORST part was that you didn’t even say goodbye to my face. You left me a note. AN UNSIGNED NOTE.
I thought you might like this then scenario then, you always went on about the joys of irony. I know you better than you think. In fact, I know you so well that if my assumptions are correct and you are reading this letter at 2:34 in the afternoon on Thursday the 16th, you have approximately 15 seconds before the moat is electrified.
Good luck getting back sucka!
Love Letters to Dead Architects: La Roi est Mort, Vive La Republique
Dear Claude Nicolas Ledoux,
Thank you, I haven’t felt this way in forever. “What way?” You may well ask. The answer is fearful. I’m afraid of you and how you make me feel. It’s been a long time since I have not been in control of a situation. But that’s how you roll in Sublime isn’t it?
Though I may not show it, my years are not so long to recite the world-weary sighs I have often taken to. But you! You can see past all the frills and pomp of court to a surreal world of the mind. You are a man of the enlightenment, and I don’t mean that in the sense that you go around quoting Ovid or Martial or whoever, I mean that you understand the world as both a logical system of parts and also a living,
breathing animal and it makes my heart cry. You keep calling yourself a moral neo-classicist. You’re not, and you know it.
Now, I know that you know that I know that you know where the money is coming from. You certainly can’t go throwing away a patron, but really? Madame DuBarry? The Dead King’s whore? Man’s got to do, I suppose, just promise that you will always come back to me.
With Love,
Retly Corm
With Love,
Retly Corm
Thank you, I haven’t felt this way in forever. “What way?” You may well ask. The answer is fearful. I’m afraid of you and how you make me feel. It’s been a long time since I have not been in control of a situation. But that’s how you roll in Sublime isn’t it?Though I may not show it, my years are not so long to recite the world-weary sighs I have often taken to. But you! You can see past all the frills and pomp of court to a surreal world of the mind. You are a man of the enlightenment, and I don’t mean that in the sense that you go around quoting Ovid or Martial or whoever, I mean that you understand the world as both a logical system of parts and also a living,
breathing animal and it makes my heart cry. You keep calling yourself a moral neo-classicist. You’re not, and you know it.Now, I know that you know that I know that you know where the money is coming from. You certainly can’t go throwing away a patron, but really? Madame DuBarry? The Dead King’s whore? Man’s got to do, I suppose, just promise that you will always come back to me.
With Love,
Retly Corm
I thought this one was especially vague: So let me clarify Tony Garnier basically invented the system of Zoning we still use today as well as being the inspiration for the famous/infamous CIAM or Congres International d'Architecture Moderne
Dear Tony Garnier,
J’ACCUSE!
That’s RIGHT! I accuse you! Of being too into your hometown of Lyon.
What? You thought it was something else? No.
But seriously, Lyon. I get it, it’s pretty amazing, but do you have to go so far as to compare it to a utopian society? I refuse to believe that Lyon has any less significant problems then Paris, or Chartes for that matter.
Now I know based off the layout of that city, you were able to compartmentalize the elements into what we’ll call…oh what is that word?
Oh! Zoning. But to assume that all is well when it most certainly is not is a mark of, if not unflinching affection and patriotism, then foolishness. Just don’t let it go to your head.
J’ACCUSE!That’s RIGHT! I accuse you! Of being too into your hometown of Lyon.
What? You thought it was something else? No.
But seriously, Lyon. I get it, it’s pretty amazing, but do you have to go so far as to compare it to a utopian society? I refuse to believe that Lyon has any less significant problems then Paris, or Chartes for that matter.
Now I know based off the layout of that city, you were able to compartmentalize the elements into what we’ll call…oh what is that word?
Oh! Zoning. But to assume that all is well when it most certainly is not is a mark of, if not unflinching affection and patriotism, then foolishness. Just don’t let it go to your head. In the mean time, why don’t you take care of those young people who have started to follow you around, tell them to start a club. You can call it: Care for an Immensely Amazing Man, or CIAM for short. The amazing man, will, of course, be you.
With Love,
Retly Corm
Dude, Where's my IDP?
IDP, the cruel mistress, like the Spynx she is: a vile monster from the bowels of Tartarus. She decides your fate, you either fail and get eaten and digested for six months or pass the trial and go on to kick-ass in Thebes.
Right now, I'm looking into the next step now that the hours situation has been more or less figured out (not finished, but not as confusing as it had been previously): So, according to the scuttle-butt, depending on what state you are in, you can start taking parts of the ARE (Architectural Registration Exam) early.
But I've been searching and there's no clear list stating in which states that method is kosher.
So far the only concrete answer I've gotten is "consult your state ARE council". This emphasis on confederacy seems like a shady deal or two is being done. Which, don't get me wrong, makes this process much more interesting, but still how hard would it be to put the list up NCARB?
Anyway, below are some FAQs regarding the ARE from their website:
Who Writes the ARE?A committee of architects made up of representative members from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), Committee of Canadian Arcthitectural Councils (CACC), consulting engineers and code officials.
How do I register for the exam?You register for the exam with your state. Contact your state board for application requirements.
Is the exam the same in every state?Yes. Every state gives the same examination.
When is the exam given?You can take the exam whenever you want. The exam is administered year-round six days a week Monday - Saturday at authorized test centers around the country. Hours of operation vary so contact your test center of choice to verify business hours.
Where are the test centers located? There are more than 350 standardized test centers across North America. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a list of test centers with your approval notification.
Do I have to take the exam at a test center located within the state/province where I am seeking my registration?No. The computer based format of the exam allows candidates to take any portion of the test at any test center. However if you do relocate to another area before completing the exam, you will need to make sure that your scores are forwarded to the initial state jurisdiction where you initially began registration.
What is the exam format? The exam is given on computer. There are nine different divisions of the exam. Site Planning, Building Planning, and Building Technology are graphic tests. The remaining six divisions Pre-Design, General Structures, Lateral Forces, Building Design/Materials & Methods, Mechanical & Electrical Systems and Construction Documents & Services are muliple-choice tests. See exam information for complete details on ARE format.
Is the exam open or closed book? The examination is closed book, that is, no reference material is permitted. For some exam divisions, reference material can be accessed electronically. This material may contain excerpts from sources such as the AISC Manual of Steel Construction and the UBC. Candidates should therefore obtain copies of these books prior to the exam in order to become familiar with their scope and format.
Which part of the exam should I take first?Since candidates must pass all divisions of the ARE to become registered, you may start with any of the nine divisions. It is generally beneficial to take the three graphic divisions successively, since all use similar graphic tools. It may also be beneficial to take Pre-Design last, since this division includes material covered by other divisions, such as Building Design / Materials & Methods and Construction Documents and Services.
What if I fail a division of the exam?If you fail a division, you will have to retake it. However you will not be allowed to retake the same exam until at least six months has passed from the time of the first administration.
Right now, I'm looking into the next step now that the hours situation has been more or less figured out (not finished, but not as confusing as it had been previously): So, according to the scuttle-butt, depending on what state you are in, you can start taking parts of the ARE (Architectural Registration Exam) early.
But I've been searching and there's no clear list stating in which states that method is kosher.
So far the only concrete answer I've gotten is "consult your state ARE council". This emphasis on confederacy seems like a shady deal or two is being done. Which, don't get me wrong, makes this process much more interesting, but still how hard would it be to put the list up NCARB?
Anyway, below are some FAQs regarding the ARE from their website:
Who Writes the ARE?A committee of architects made up of representative members from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), Committee of Canadian Arcthitectural Councils (CACC), consulting engineers and code officials.
How do I register for the exam?You register for the exam with your state. Contact your state board for application requirements.
Is the exam the same in every state?Yes. Every state gives the same examination.
When is the exam given?You can take the exam whenever you want. The exam is administered year-round six days a week Monday - Saturday at authorized test centers around the country. Hours of operation vary so contact your test center of choice to verify business hours.
Where are the test centers located? There are more than 350 standardized test centers across North America. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a list of test centers with your approval notification.
Do I have to take the exam at a test center located within the state/province where I am seeking my registration?No. The computer based format of the exam allows candidates to take any portion of the test at any test center. However if you do relocate to another area before completing the exam, you will need to make sure that your scores are forwarded to the initial state jurisdiction where you initially began registration.
What is the exam format? The exam is given on computer. There are nine different divisions of the exam. Site Planning, Building Planning, and Building Technology are graphic tests. The remaining six divisions Pre-Design, General Structures, Lateral Forces, Building Design/Materials & Methods, Mechanical & Electrical Systems and Construction Documents & Services are muliple-choice tests. See exam information for complete details on ARE format.
Is the exam open or closed book? The examination is closed book, that is, no reference material is permitted. For some exam divisions, reference material can be accessed electronically. This material may contain excerpts from sources such as the AISC Manual of Steel Construction and the UBC. Candidates should therefore obtain copies of these books prior to the exam in order to become familiar with their scope and format.
Which part of the exam should I take first?Since candidates must pass all divisions of the ARE to become registered, you may start with any of the nine divisions. It is generally beneficial to take the three graphic divisions successively, since all use similar graphic tools. It may also be beneficial to take Pre-Design last, since this division includes material covered by other divisions, such as Building Design / Materials & Methods and Construction Documents and Services.
What if I fail a division of the exam?If you fail a division, you will have to retake it. However you will not be allowed to retake the same exam until at least six months has passed from the time of the first administration.
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