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| - After writing about the Heard Museum, I remembered that I had taken some photos from my Spring Training/Sightseeing /Childhood Memory Trip back to my birthplace, Phoenix. Sure enough, I had baseball pictures of Barry Bonds and Giants Stadium, downtown Scottsdale pictures, clever pictures of me in stupid cowboy hats and some of Taliesin West. (SEE PICTURES)
If you don't know about Taliesin West, you aren't alone unless you are a lover of Frank Lloyd Wright, which I have been from an early age because my Mom and Dad both went to school and graduated from Arizona State, I went to college there too at the age of 4, and Mr. Wright built the auditorium called affectionately, "the Birthday Cake" so his name was probably one of the first ones I was ever taught.
In my opinion, F.L. Wright is surely America's greatest architect, if not the world's greatest. I have a fantastic 2 hour PBS special on him that explores his life and work in great depth, it's wonderful to pull out from time to time and get re-inspired.
Taliesin was his dream home, his school and his refuge. Originally built on the side of a gently sloping mountain well outside of the quickly-growing suburbs in the heart of the Sonoran desert, Taliesin was organic, living, melded to its stone, sand and gravel surroundings due to the fact that its materials were plucked from those very locations. Its unique roofing structure could only be dreamed and conceived from the heart of genius as the lack of rainfall allowed it to be redwood and canvas, like the teepee's of the native Indian cultures.
Having been there before as a child, I really could not appreciate it to any great extent then but as an adult, I was truly amazed at its massive expanse and by the fact that it was built stone by stone by hand with the loving work of his adoring students. Their spirits and care are reflected in every pore of the breathing, flexing structures joined together in strange, illogical ways. Windy paths, odd angles, smoothed beams, brightly colored carpets and art, contrasting paints, dripping fountains, flapping textures, long-shallow reflecting pools, open-aired rooms, vaulting stairs, low-slung passageways... all conceived by the brilliant, unconventional mind of the master to ponder and entice thought by confusion of the stated norm being smashed into oblivion. Purists laugh but those with an unjaundiced eye coupled with a heart of appreciation for the existence of a new form of human living quarters that you have to force yourself to integrate your soul in order to fully exist with it. Taliesin must become a part of its occupants and visitors, like a natural extension of existence, in order to impart its magic as creativity abounds with every sense affected at each new revelation.
Lucky students pursuing careers in wood and metal work, painting, sculpture, photography and pottery are allowed to stay on the preserved desert ecosystem in small, clever, experimental structures or shelters that pop up throughout the 600 acre grounds. I got to see many of these during my visit and they were truly interesting to see. Weird while being functional, they all interested me greatly but sadly I was not allowed to get too close or to interact with any of them.
Finally, there are 2 large theatres that I saw on the tour for concerts and performances. Creativity is encouraged to flow from the spirit, soul and body; a complete immersion without judgment or criticism. Freedom for the individual and for the group-think to attempt to inspire and unconform the conformed.
It was my dream to see this wonderland again... I came, I saw, I was changed. My heart pumped stronger, then I cried a little in leaving due to my great fortune. However Taliesin is in my mind, my soul, my eyes and her smell is everpresent whenever I think of her.
So long Frank Lloyd Wright, you put your spell on me ...
http://www.youtube.com...
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