Frank Lloyd Wright at 150: Unpacking the Archive at MoMA

Frank Lloyd Wright (b Amer 1867-1959) is one of the most prolific & inventive architects of the 20thC.  The MoMA has unleashed their archives of FLW's architectural designs, drawings, models, his TV broadcasts, etc. to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birth.  The Guggenheim did a retrospective of his architectural plans a few years ago to honor the 50th annv. of the museum's inaugural.  This exhibit I found too dry, erudite & one dimensional to make for an exciting exhibit.  There numerous architectural renderings becoming a mind numbing blur. The MoMA's show is a plethora of plans, renderings, models & sketches that it does becomes overwhelming.  However, there are reasons to make designs on attending this exhibit.  The first drawing made by FLW in applying for his 1st job is the 1st thing you encounter.  (He got the job.) This historic jewel marks the flagstone of his creative genius in the field of architecture & urban planning. The show contains some of his early residential renderings for the Chicago area. "Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world". (FLW) These drawings reflect his influence by the Japanese aesthetic in both structures & landscape.  After 5 years & branched into plans for commercial as well as residential buildings.  The plans for the Johnson Wax Co. are on view along with the private residential plans for the company's president.  As I went through the exhibit I saw futuristic renderings for public centers in cities I should have recognized.  It's important to realize FLW made over 1,000 architectural designs yet only only 1/2 came to fruition.  His work was way ahead of its time.  The show includes architectural designs for urban, multi-purpose centers with mass transportation in mind.  His "Butterfly Wing Bridge" in San Francisco was modified into what is now the Bart transportation lines.  Some of these drawings show spacecraft vehicles in lieu of cars.  FLW is the pioneer for the skyscrapers in Chicago.  Realizing the exodus to the suburbs FLW had plans for revitalizing city centers which were either greatly modified or rejected.  The construction plans for structures in several cities cantilevered over bodies of water; most of these were never adopted.  It may be that his engineering theories were too complicated.  The designs for the "Falling Water House" was constructed.  It is cantilevered over a waterfall; an engineering & iconic masterpiece built in PA.  I had fun seeing the old TV game show "What's My Line."  FLW coyly answered questions but was swiftly identified.  Perhaps, he was seeking publicity to propel his projects to fruition.  He is pictured on the cover of TIME mag. 1938.  Underneath his image is written:  "His cities would be everywhere & nowhere."  Travel through this exhibit with an appreciation for his ingenious ideas, drawings & engineering feats.  I admired his Meteor Crater design for a building in AZ that was never built. "Space is the breath of art."  (FLW)