TALIESIN TheLivingLegacy FELLOWS ® ofFrankLloydWright o carry our mission onward we launch a search for stories NEWSLETTER and pictures of the work of former apprentices. Since our first NUMBER 10 JANUARY 15, 2003 Tissue nearly three years ago we have published built designs by Taliesin Fellows to show our readers how the inspiration of Frank Lloyd Wright is being interpreted and carried forward by his former apprentices. Contrary to views of some former apprentices this work is sometimes fresh and inspiring in its own right and deserves a wider audience— though it appears that some of a discerning public are aware, in general there is little interest in the work of Wright’s followers. Certainly, it is has been said, publication of their work “would not sell magazines or books”. Eric Lloyd Wright We have long maintained that the legacy of Wright is not only the great buildings and designs he created during the 70 years of his career, but there is a living legacy as well: the work of gifted former apprentices. Wright for whatever reason, seemed somewhat reluctant during his days of prodi- gious production to acknowledge the work of former apprentices though some attained great fame following their days at Taliesin. Among Aaron Green these are John Lautner and Aaron Green among the early apprentices and later, E. Fay Jones who followed Wright as recipient of the gold medal of the American Institute of Archi- tects. Perhaps, by example, perhaps inadvert- ently, Wright inspired a sort of cult of individual- ity. And many who followed have practiced suc- cessfully and alone as individualists in the further- Richard Keding ing of organic architecture. Myron Marty, an architectural historian, has published one volume featuring the work of Wright’s successors focussing particu- larly on the work of the Taliesin Fellowship, the Taliesin Architects Lim- ited. He is working on a new volume, which will picture the accomplishments of some of the vast number of former apprentices. Taliesin itself and the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture have in some way dis- Milton Stricker tanced themselves from the hundreds of former ap- prentices. There has been occasional inclusion of these designers and architects billed as ‘“Fellowship Re- unions” in twice-a-decade events at Spring Green and at Scottsdale Taliesin West. Earl Nisbet Although our Newsletter has limited space for real in-depth coverage of the work of former apprentices, we believe our readers and those they influence can be inspired with presentations of outstanding work. In- depth reporting can be left to a rebirth of the Journal of the Taliesin Fellows which through some 26 issues covered the work of former apprentices with a strong archival inter- est in the Wright connection. We call attention here to a few of our earlier efforts in pre- senting the designs of several former apprentices as well as an en- gaging future project from the Midglen Studio. We seek wider cov- erage to expand this interest. The former apprentices are indeed the living legacy of our mentor, who for many years personally chose them to be a part of the Taliesin experience. Midglen Studio--now under construction continued from page 2 ...letters What attracted us to Taliesin was not an architectural contrary to the process. But surely one or more of us will get it. When letters... editor’s style. We perceived principle there as embodiment to a way of that happens there will be a lot of very good architecture, and the corner . life, to be sure. But most of all we were inescapably attracted, architecture itself will do more in spreading the Word (the capital knowingly or unknowingly, because Taliesin was a repository par W) than any verbal exercise will be able to do. excellence of higher awareness. Organic Architecture and the José M. Marcial, ‘48-56 JocularityandSeriousStuff principles underlying it are merely expressions of such awareness. Deltona, Florida Take as axiom that Organic Architecture does not, and cannot Still jocular at 83--not sure about the IT part.-- Ed. Editor: I invariably read, with great interest, the customarily en- exist without the level of consciousness that gives it birth. Upon gaging articles in the Taliesin Fellows Newsletter. This month’s Mr. Wright’s death the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation began its __________________________________ edition (Number 9 October 15, 2002) was a typical compilation Bill Patrick vertiginous descent into style. Most of us Fellows have probably of the varied experiences of the Fellows: from Warren Callister’s been plummeting to the same fate at an even faster clip (those OnMrs.Wright August 1, 2002 breathtaking lessons on listening, Milton Stricker’s humorous vi- e have been dedicated to the future of organic architecture that stayed behind at Taliesin at least had the visible evidence of Editor: I feel compelled to comment on one of the paragraphs in gnette that we could all relate to, “FLLW vs. the Bank of Phoe- since our original inspiration as apprentices to Frank Lloyd elevated awareness emanating, and being imparted to them, Ms. Babcock’s letter (Newsletter 8, July 2002)where she refers to “the nix” to Bill Patrick’s, “Editor’s Corner,” and Architect Calvin Wright, which in some cases goes back to the decades of the from their surroundings). We cannot expect that the dutiful reci- overdone role of the third Mrs. Wright…” First, I have no idea what Stempel’s Letter to the Editor with Bill’s comment suffixed. The W 30s, 40s, and 50s. tation by rote of the principles of Organic Architecture will, by she means. Of late there has been no emphasis on Mrs. Wright in latter articles dealt with principles which can be said to define itself, pull us out of that dive. What alternative is there but to real- regards to what the apprentices are exposed to. There are no Organic Architecture. Adherence to principle is implicit in this Originally the Journal of the Taliesin Fellows was created to ize the exhortations issued by the Master himself to arrive at these Gurdjieff studies, no movements taught and little reference at all to month’s message in the “Editor’s Corner.” Bill signalizes the Fel- explore the work of apprentices and to present experiences with Wright heady experiential levels? None. “the third Mrs. Wright” in the context of what apprentices are learn- lows’ “endeavor(s) to spread the philosophy of Frank Lloyd at Taliesin. While the origins of the organic idea in architecture stems ing. Wright.” The final paragraph states,”the Fellows remain dedi- from Wright, the philosophy might expand to include work by others The Bahá’í writings state that humanity is on the thresh- cated to the mission of spreading the word,” and closes with, who perceive the essence of Wright’s approach. After Wright’s death in old of its maturity as a planetary civilization. The writings predict, It is well known that quite a few former apprentices did “The world needs us more than ever.” 1959, several former apprentices as well as others followed Bruce Goff as moreover, that, as implicit in this maturity, an increasing under- not have good experiences with Mrs. Wright; some of these appren- inspiration. Much of this work has come to be regarded as organic standing of, and progressive arrival at higher levels of awareness tices have been very vocal about it. For some reason they feel the Perhaps other Fellows came away from the latter read- architecture, resting mostly with the use of materials, siting, but with a will take place. This is happening. The predictions are becoming need to cast aspersions on Mrs. Wright years after they attended ings, as I did, with the feeling that, although good on the sur- more free-flowing, fluid form. reality: the tools with which to arrive at Awareness are available Taliesin, and almost 20 years after her death. Why this continual ha- face, the messages somehow left one ungrounded, uncapped, in the world, now, today. Mr. Wright came rangue? To my knowledge, no one is challeng- and somewhat queasy in the middle. I mean, “…spreading the Former apprentices Arthur Dyson in California and James upon them on his own, a phenomenon ing what his or her personal experience was word,” what word? ….and, “The world needs us more than ever.” Schildroth in Maine, among former apprentices and others have created which can be gleaned from his persona, while at Taliesin. What they experienced they What is the world going to do with us once it gets us? I think the a body of work that suggests a Wrightian beginning with plans developed the things he would do and say, from cer- can certainly “own.” architecture itself will do more in spreading the Word (with a on a module and materials used in their natural way, but soaring free of tain features out of his Autobiography, and SIMPLICITY capital W) than any verbal exercise will be able to do. these methods to produce swirling, dynamic spaces. There is a distinct from his architectural expression. Taliesin But it should also be recognized that difference in these approaches (see the Newsletter #4. July 15, 2001) and must recapture its station as a Mecca for continued next page What to leave out, what to leave in? many other apprentices had very valuable and following Richard Keding’s interview with Warren Callister in our last Awareness. It can do that, although Where to start and where to end? positive experiences with Mrs. Wright. Why issue, another interpretation of organic principles was included by an maybe it will content itself with assuming should these people’s experiences and feel- architect who was neither an apprentice of Wright nor a follower of Goff.