Here is
the Wright/Rand project, and a text by Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer, the principle historian-in-residence at Taliesin:
AYN RAND STUDIO-RESIDENCE, 1947
In 1937, novelist Ayn Rand wrote to Frank Lloyd Wright about her work on a new novel concerning the career of an architect. She made it clear that although she was not writing specifically about Mr. Wright, she was writing about a man who followed his own convictions throughout his life. "A man," she said, "who has an ideal and goes through hell for it. ... His story is the story of human integrity. That is what I am writing. That is what you have lived. And to my knowledge you are the only one among the men of this century who has lived it." She requested an interview with Mr. Wright, hoping to come to Taliesin at Spring Green, Wisconsin. At that moment, however, Mr. Wright was in Arizona searching for a site for the building of Taliesin West.
The following year, Miss Rand once again introduced herself in a letter in which she recalled their meeting at a dinner party in New York. And once again she requested the chance to come and visit Mr. Wright. She sent him a copy of her novel We the Living as well as the first several chapters of the new work about the architect. "These, I think," she wrote, "will be the best references that I can offer you. If you will glance through them you will be able to decide whether I am a writer good enough to deserve any further consideration from you .... If you do not approve at all -- please let me know that, because then I'll stop torturing myself with attempts to reach you and I will have to proceed on the novel without the thing I would like to have -- your blessing on my undertaking.
Mr. Wright read through the outline she sent and replied to Miss Rand:
"Dear Ayn Rand: No man named Roarke with flaming red hair could be a genius that could lick the contracting confraternity. Both obstruct themselves disagreeably and he is not very convincing. Will try to find time to see you in New York and say why if you want me to do so."
When she telegraphed for a definite appointment, Mr. Wright had again gone to Arizona, and the two did not meet for many years. Her book The Fountainhead was published in 1943 and immediately became popular throughout the nation. At that time they finally met in Hollywood, where Miss Rand was making arrangements for the film version of her book. Mr. Wright went frequently to California to work for various clients. His son Lloyd was a practicing architect in Beverly Hills and his granddaughter, Anne Baxter, lived in Hollywood and introduced him to many of the stars, directors, and producers that were her friends.
During one meeting with Miss Rand, Mr. Wright told her:
"If you and I were living in the Renaissance, they would burn us as heretics!" "Not me," she retorted, "I don't burn!"
cont.
She wrote to him again in May 1944 concerning the filming of her book, and in the same letter she said, "Now, would you be willing to design a house for me? You said you had to be interested in a person before you accepted him or her as a client."
After that, a year passed without further correspondence from Miss Rand. Then in the summer of 1945 she wrote to thank Mr. Wright for an autographed copy of one of his books and reminded him that she still wanted a Frank Lloyd Wright house of her own. She was headed for New York and intended to purchase land. Mr. Wright invited her to stop at Taliesin on her way from California to the East Coast. She and her husband spent several days in Wisconsin. Yet, one year later, she wrote from California: "I will not be able to come east this year to look for the land -- and I don't want my choice of the land to be rash, since that will be my permanent home. So are you still willing to grant me the exception of a house designed ahead of the site?" A week or so later, Mr. Wright wrote: "Dear Ayn Rand: We are sending on to you a scheme for a compact dwelling for a writer who loves the idea of organic architecture and won't take less for a home. It can be built with a few minor changes in Connecticut, Texas, Arizona or Florida."
"The house you designed for me is magnificent," Miss Rand replied after the drawings reached her. She specified some small changes but was delighted with the "particular kind of sculpture in space which I love and which nobody but you has ever been able to achieve."
She suggested several other "minor" changes and asked to visit Mr. Wright at Taliesin West during the winter of 1947. The scheme seemed too large for her, she thought at that time, but her "minor changes" consisted of enlarging certain rooms within the building. Finally, she made up her mind about the location of her homesite, namely, Manhattan. In the center of New York City she would be surrounded by her literary friends, the connections and colleagues of her career. She abandoned once and for all the idea of a home in the country.
SDR that is why you are ...
SDR that is why you are the scholar in residence on design addict. In the Shulman book it shows a home that Richard Neutra had designed for her in California.
But now we know who Howard Roark was suppose to be
the great Frank Lloyd Wright but even he would not make time for her,
Wright was his own man!!!
Thomas Hinds who is a scholar and great Architect today on Wright properly got as close to figuring out his thinking, as any person could, although Wright died 50 years in 1959 he still remains popular as the number 1 architect, and more books have been written about him, but in the today world just like the world 50 years ago he was not the sweetest guy very complex personalty,
Barrympls & Paulanna-
I responded to Barrympl's comment "objectivism is an interesting concept, but like most free thinkers of era, she had no middle ground and was a bit lacking in world of perspective", by citing the fact that she grew up in Soviet Russia BECAUSE she obviously experienced socialist-collectivist life first hand. If one's at all familiar with her philosophy, they'd know she was pro-individual and anti-mob, pro-Capitalism and anti-Socialism. Her background certainly gave her "perspective", then, on the ideas which she espoused.
(I'm not sure why the rough & tumble childhoods of female Jazz greats came up in the conversation, but, never mind.)
From what Barry had written, I was under the impression that he had only partially read The Fountainhead, and seen the (cheesy) movie. His criticisms of Ayn Rand's philosophy were vague, as well; so yes, I questioned HOW he formed those opinions. Seems like a fair question, since we were discussing a writer who thought second-hand opinion the root of all evil.
NYC Meet Up
I was, several years ago, the organizer of the NYC chapter of the Ayn Rand Meet-Up Group.
Personally, I much prefer Atlas Shrugged over The Fountainhead. I never found her writings hard to read. They are long books, but always seemed like simple reading to me. I've read both books several times, but neither in about 15 years.
I don't have any great contribution to this thread. It seems to have run its course.
Except to reach over and give barrympls a slap.
Oh, I have a bunch of brass "Who is John Gault" lapel pins left over that I bought for the Rand Meet-Up a few years ago.
That is all.
has Ayn Rand changed ...
has Ayn Rand changed your life?
I heard Jim Stovell speak last night at a benefit,
blind since the age of 27 and one of the highest paid motivational speakers, author, of the Ultimate Gift, and the movie,
He said a blind four year old kid changed his life,
I guess if a blind four year old can change your life no telling what Ayn Rand could do, lots of possibilities.
I love this thread also, ...
I love this thread also, nice to see smart and not so smart people respond, I like that Fountain view was a thought provider.
Smart people out there we need some more thought provoking topics.
I love Nelson clocks and furniture but alright already with the most expensive sofas, and some of the other topics, not wanting to censure any ones right to free speech... but since it is free speech just need some more topics to keep the ball in play, sometimes it does get a little boring around here,
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