Taliesin West

Frank Lloyd Wright.
His work seen at Taliesin West may provide insight to the complex man. Bold lines, exciting geometrics created in native stone, simple wood products, canvas roofs, graced with native and imported plants; what does that suggest about the individual?

 While the stones were individually  and carefully selected, the concrete was crudely finished by beginners, not skilled trades workers. Natural rock faces with their colors and form mean more than faceting a fit. Canvas shreds through while the stone stands for the ages. If I used these concepts to describe the man could I do worse?

 Windows hide behind walls and red-paved courtyards and red doors, Chinese red, hot red doors open studios, theaters, offices. The contrast in the exposed exterior trim and walks would have been greater in the thirties when the paint was still drying, though in desert winds that took little time.



This quote from Wright brought me closer to his  resonating architectural themes and speaks volumes of his success without perfection. Criticisms of his rough edges;  arrogance, people manipulation, disregard for fiscal responsibility or public opinion are all mixed with a truth in creativity speaking from these walls.

 Wright placed his house, the western institute, far from Phoenix, apart from the fray as he had in Wisconsin with Taliesin there. When the utility company forged their high power lines through his front view, he turned his house to the mountains, blocking the intrusion.

Support for architecture training and the arts continues at the institute as the best positive legacy to Wright's contribution.