Wright goes to Arkansas

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 6:31 pm

Jeff Myers wrote:I think this is a perfect home to be moved to an area that is becoming a focus of architecture design. Also you have within a 2 hour and 45 minute drive to Bartlesville's Price Tower and then in at least,I guesstimate, a 5 hour drive to Wichita from Bentonville, the Allen-Lambe House.
It completes the circle of famous and blossoming organic architectural designs from Fay Jones, Bruce Goff, Frank Lloyd Wright and more.

Only 8-Â½ hours to the Sutton House in McCook, NE.

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 10:54 am

The reason the FLWBC has never had a conference in the area is because there weren't enough FLW buildings to visit, but with B/W, Allen, Price, Charnley, Rosenbaum all open to the public, and possible visits to privately owned Hughes and Lewis, plus all the Jones and Goff work, even though they are far flung, it could happen. Perhaps a movable feast consisting of just house tours without the (sometimes all-too-serious) lectures.

Palli · Post by **Palli** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 1:05 pm

Once again for art's sake, compromise our morals on so many levels.

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 3:34 pm

Palli, what on earth does that mean?

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 5:21 pm

I don't want to speak for Palli, but my assumption is that she is referring to huge disconnect between the ethics of Walmart, and the fine museum which creates a facade of goodness around the family who owns this business.

egads · Post by **egads** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:19 pm

That was my first thought: Walmart is the devil (or anti-Christ if you like a little more drama) Some of us would have to hold our nose to visit.

Here's my Walmart story, explained in PBS's series Frontline episode "Is Walmart Good for America?"

I can no long buy large heatproof rubber spatulas at Target because Walmart put Rubbermaid out of business. (Yes someone bought the remains of Rubbermaid and they now make plastic containers) I'm all for free markets, but bullying is not OK. Especially when it effects my choices.

Palli · Post by **Palli** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 8:14 am

The Walton family owns Wal-Mart, controls a total family wealth of $144.7 billion. That's equal to the wealth of the bottom 41.5 percent of all the rest of us Americans combined. Alice Walton's personal wealth is $33.5.

And the employees of Wal-mart are instructed to apply to receive Federal and state welfare because the corporation will not pay workers a living wage.

No, the Chrystal Bridges Museum does not compensate for corporate greed and human disrespect.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 8:18 am

I'm with you Palli.

Reidy · Post by **Reidy** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 10:36 am

The longer this thread goes on the less I see what it has to do with the aims of Wright Chat.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 10:47 am

This contemporary economic issue goes directly to what constitutes democracy in a representative republic in the U.S.. It's a severe misunderstanding of the substance of the architecture of Wright, in my judgement, to think this is not connected, assuming the aims of Wright chat are connected to Wright. It would be a shame to censor that argument.

Reidy · Post by **Reidy** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 10:50 am

Q. E. D.

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 10:52 am

The new use of the building is indeed part of the topic, and Palli's comments relate directly to that. She is on topic, and has not insulted anyone personally.

pharding · Post by **pharding** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:06 am

The best thing about the internet is that people can say whatever they want. The worst thing about the internet is that people can say whatever they want. If someone here does not like a particular thread, they can choose to ignore the thread or not read it.

Personally I believe that some things merit being looked at with skepticism and cynicism in the world of Wright's legacy. Many great things are accomplished and some bone head things are done. On occasion I believe we are looking at the King's New Clothes when it come to Wrightdom. On most things about FLW I am sure that we agree. On a few other things, discourse is healthy in my opinion. The Zombie Massaro residence was a good example of healthy discourse.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 12:45 pm

It is widely acknowledged that political discourse in this great land has devolved into two camps, each having "circled the wagons" and neither being heard by the opposite side. We are encouraged, by way of remedy, to engage our neighbors, who may hold opposing views, in discussion of the day's events and of the outlook for the future, near-term and far.

Wright Chat isn't a political discussion forum -- but it is a group of acquaintances with some common interest, including (presumably) an interest in the future of their country. What better place to pursue, on occasion, such discourse -- among friendly neighbors with differing views ?

Another architectural discussion forum long ago set up departments, so that readers could choose to engage in a variety of subjects: architectural design, building technology, interior design, housing, etc etc -- and, yes, politics. Perhaps Wright Chat could set aside a space for the same purpose ?

Mr Wright wasn't given the opportunity to design a large museum complex like the Getty Center, but in its day the Guggenheim was an extravaganza on the order of Crystal Bridges. In each case a well-endowed patron indulged a superior architect with the means to build something special for the display of art -- and of architecture itself. For those uninterested in art or architecture, projects like these may seem nothing more than vulgar and conspicuous consumption of resources. It might be argued that the same money, spent to provide a bit of art and architecture in many places across the land (a la Carnegie's library gifts) would mean more to more Americans. But none of those imagined institutions would likely become the home to a displaced Wright Usonian . . .

SDR

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 2:08 pm

I agree with SDR.

I wasn't thinking of Walmart. I guess it has become so commonplace in our culture for Robber Barons of every generation to create false impressions of generosity that it is expected and ignored. The Carnegie libraries don't compensate the victims of the brutal conditions of his industry, nor do the contributions to public life whitewash rumrunner Joe Kennedy's association with the Mafia. Was Warren Buffett's 'gift' of $30B to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation an act of generosity or a tax dodge by the poster boy of Wall Street greed? And what about Bill Gates, doling out a pittance here and there, like John D. Rockefeller handing out dimes to ragamuffins?

But do we do anything about it? No.

As to FLW's response to his work ending up in an architectural museum, he would probably have dismissed the idea contemptuously, even if the museum had been founded by Mother Theresa.