Frank Lloyd Wright (whom I used to call Frank Lloyd Wrong when I was bored of him) was a regular topic when I was growing-up. Terry is heavily involved in the Taliesin Foundation…the organization that works to keep his homes in Wisconsin and Arizona afloat. As a kid, I recall many-a-visit to Wright’s buildings in Chicago and Wisconsin. Terry was integral to the development of the original Frank Lloyd Opera that was created here in Madison in 1993 (review here). In fact, Terry came up with the name for the opera – Shining Brow (the Welsh translation for Taliesin) while lying on our couch at home. Wright thought that houses shouldn’t be placed on the top of hills. Instead, they should blend with the brow of the hill to become one with the landscape.
Suffice to say, I’m pretty familiar with Wright’s Taliesin home. For context/comparison, here’s a few pictures I took of the Spring Green, Wisconsin Taliesin in July 2004.
Here’s Mom (right) and Maretta (left) rolling down the hill:)
Frank Lloyd Wright lived in Wisconsin most of his life, and then he created a second house and studio in Arizona. Today, there is an accredited architecture school that migrates between the two locations in the winter and summer.
On Saturday afternoon, Grace, Kathy, Lara, and I visited Taliesin West and went on a tour. There were petroglyphs on one of the rocks in front of the buildings. One of the designs was turned into the Taliesin Architectural Fellowship logo – the thought it that it is like two hands clasped in fellowship.
Here, Kathy, Lara, Grace, and I head down into the gift shop to get ourselves some Wright-ian jewelry and gifts.
I love this design so much, I’d kinda like it to be the logo for my life:)
We had a great, enthusiastic tour guide who led us around the grounds and buildings for over an hour. The 15 degree angle was a distinguishing foundational design element throughout the site.
More petroglyphs.
This site is actually serviced by its own aquifer. Wright prioritized life’s luxuries. In this case, the pool and grass also help to serve as a fire break since they were well outside of civilization when this structure was created.
The desert plants and elements blend with the hill behind.
Love this picture of Lara’s belly!
This picture is looking out toward Phoenix.
Hello me!
Sun shining through the bell tower.
There are three theaters in Taliesin West. Here’s a couple images of the first.
Outside, we spied an orange tree. As a midwestern girl, the idea of oranges growing on trees still makes my eyes grow large. Had to take a photo for proof.
In a sculpture garden, I liked this image of a woman running.
The Wisconsin Taliesin looks out over a lake and maple trees. Here we’re looking out over saguaro cacti, palo verde trees, and desert. The view is beautiful both ways!
After the tour, we stopped for some ice cream in the shade. Glad we got to do this tour, girls!
