Love Letters to Dead Architects: I may not always love you, but I will always have loved you now.

Dear Henry Hobson Richardson,

You, sir, have changed the landscape. Suddenly everything Romantic is passionate once again, no longer the dilapidated or the sad. No more the cold textures of neo classical, not more the spindly witches’ fingers of the neo gothic. No, now we have something ruddy, rough, real and dare I say? Sexy. I mean the arch at the Old Colony Railroad Station? Hot.

Still though, why must America always play homage to Europe? You have broken the first link, getting in with the boys at the Beaux, learning their secrets and changing them to fit your means. But still, why are we continuing to fear the disapproval of our disowned parents?

Just keep kicking it Ecole Vieux. You know, like you do.

With love,

Retly Corm

Dear Pietro Di Cortona,

Don’t let the emotional babies over at the Caravaggisti Camp get you down. They say hurtful things about everyone. They think it makes them cool. Don’t get me started.

So what if you like something light and decorative. Meat and Potatoes may be enough for them, but if you can have something more, why not? Put a loggia next to a garden if it makes you happy. Gently curve an arch, gilt your bronze, just go nuts.

Who does it hurt if you immerse the walls with trompe l’oiel and pastels? They look nice and this is Italy for God’s sake. Whatever you do though, don’t let the French Monarchs get a hold of it; you know that they are going to blow that whole business way out of proportion.

Listen, the Caravaggisti may have that “tortured bad-boy” routine down pact, but their days are numbered. Why? They don’t know they lack a sustainable client.

A rose will always have had barbs, even when they are gone.
Rome will always have a Barberini, even when they disappear.

With Love,

Retly Corm

Louis Sullivan,

You know how much I hate passive-aggressive notes. Would you please stop leaving them around this house?

Now, I understand the counter-intuitive nature of writing a letter to tell you to stop writing notes, so just save us both time and don’t comment on it.

You and I both know what this is really about. You’re upset about the White City. You’re tired of the neo-classical nonsense that seems to be everywhere. They claim it is perfect, clear, logical and of Course you know better. I would feel upset for you, but I spoke to Daniel Burnham. He said you were given a chance to reject the scheme and said nothing.

If “Form Follows Function” should not Action Follow Virtue?

How about some straightforward honesty for once? Don’t retreat if you think it will be unpopular, if you’re going to change the world, you can never apologize.

AND DON’T YOU DARE SHOW THIS TO FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT! THIS DOES NOT CONCERN HIM! FRANK IF YOU ARE READING THIS, YOU ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE.

With Love,

Retly Corm