Mies Van Der Rohe Do It Again

My birthday was June 1st and in honor of the occasion I made a program. It is not my usual form to put a lot of thought into things that are very specific to me, usually leaving it up to what the twenty-four hour period brings and to whatever anyone else might have bundled, but this one was different.

My birthday (card from my girl)

This was supposedly one of those "milestone" birthdays and I thought the simply way I would be satisfied with the consequence was to plan it myself. A milestone usually has a Marker of some kind and I wanted my Marker to say two things: Philip Johnson and The Glass House!

Philip Johnson past Andy Warhol (hanging in the Painting Gallery at The Glass House manor)

At this indicate you either know what I am talking well-nigh or you lot don't. If the former you are going to take the bout with me and perhaps run into something new or possibly a building from a different perspective (mine!), and if the latter, you are about to discover an architect, who in the 1940's, built a firm that was unlike whatever other in concept or design that would forever stand as one of the major examples of modern architecture.

My Breakfast: A Cheese & Almond Danish from Le Pain Quotidien Baker in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Before I talk about where I went, I have to say something most why I cull The Drinking glass Business firm as the identify I wanted to remember when I thought about this particular altogether.

This rowdy (in a proficient fashion) bunch of men stopped me on my mode to the restroom; why? Well if I had a photographic camera around my neck I had to of course capture their "Mens' Breakfast" which apparently they have every Saturday at around 9am! At that place were no objections when I asked if I could mail their epitome!

The first thing I thought about when I began thinking almost what I would like to do is who or if anybody would accompany me at any I choose to practice. After all, sometimes it is merely on the occasion of one's birthday that you can say (and be forgiven), "I want to spend the twenty-four hours completely and utterly alone!" I did call back nigh it merely it didn't feel correct this fourth dimension.

On to The Glass Firm! (The door to the Glass house Visitor Centre)

I wanted to share this with my immediate family. I wanted to become some place that I have always wanted to see and I wanted it to exist a treat for everybody. I didn't want to drive as well far and I wanted to feel for sure that the whole family would bask the feel as much equally me. Taking all of this into account, it was very hard to decide.

Philip & Ide (She bought this agreeable Philip Johnson finger puppet at the visitor center earlier our bout maxim she would like him to accompany her effectually his home – yes, she is a sweetness picayune girl)

I decided information technology had to be art of some kind or another. We alive as artists, and then, for better or for worse, this has rubbed off on our two children. By the way, when I say "for better or for worse" I am definitely being sarcastic! In that location is no one in this world that could convince me that art does not concur the hole-and-corner to happiness and general contentment. I believe this well-nigh strongly indeed!

The Library/Report

Art it was, and now, where to go inside a reasonable distance that none of united states of america had been to already? Information technology was right effectually that perplexing moment I saw the book Philip Johnson THE GLASS HOUSE sitting on a table. I was pretty sure Dave had been reading information technology lately and then of class it was obvious. Our trip would be to the most widely publicized work of modern architecture in the world: The Glass House by architect Philip Johnson.

On closer inspection

Philip Johnson bought a few acres in New Canaan, Connecticut and set up nearly making it special, and by this I mean, he created a place that would serve equally the finest example of modern architecture which not only took into account buildings, but sculptural art, paintings and the bodily landscape. All would serve his polemic vision that a modernistic edifice does not stand alone. He took 49 acres and created a identify where the land itself would be the most important part of the architecture.

The reason for our visit is somewhere downwardly this path, barely visible

The Glass House was in itself a place from which to view this mural on a daily basis. It was a magnificent idea and Philip Johnson completed the house in 1949 and even today it is considered a building beyond its time.

Approaching The Glass house from a path to the left of this sculpture past Donald Judd. It was made on site with reinforced concrete in 1971

I could go on about all the things that excite me nearly this building and the other buildings that I visited on the estate, but it would actually all come downwardly to me talking about the architect himself, about what made him "tick" as he put information technology himself. I volition non for a couple of reasons: I would be inadequate in my explanations of his vision, and two, I don't want to dominion out anybody because of my dull analysis. This Building is for everybody and after standing within it, I know that Mr. Johnson was non existence loftier-minded when he designed it. Considering… information technology felt like Abode (yeah, with a upper-case letter "H"!)

And a path approaching from the right

Luckily I had made certain to check out the Glass House website early on (click HERE ) to find out about tours and tickets every bit all the slots were practically sold out for June 1st, 2 months in advance! It is an expensive tour which can only be conducted in groups of twelve and is guided.

Angled paths and a massive stone wall on the walk to The Glass House

I gulped when I forked out the $48 per ticket simply at present I realize there should have been no regrets whatever. Nosotros arrived safe and sound for our tour at nine.45am later on a lovely coffee and pastry for breakfast downwards the street. It was a gloriously sunny day and we were all shaky with apprehension.

The Brick Firm

Our little bout bus filled up and off we went nether the wing of our very enthusiastic bout guide, Pat McCaughey. He was the perfect man for the job as he was a wealth of information about Philip Johnson, The Glass House estate, and the contemporaries of the solar day. He spoke with corking ease referring to Mr. Johnson simply as "Philip", similar they had been friends for years!

The back of The Brick Firm

He did know Philip Johnson who had only died in 2005 but only from the standpoint of some other resident. He said he was far too shy to walk up to him and say "hi, I love your work!"

The Drinking glass Business firm

In hindsight, it seems he could take hands washed that equally he told story after story of how consummate strangers, who were either builder students, devout lovers of his piece of work or only curious nosy parkers who would cold-phone call the estate and Philip Johnson would give them the one thousand tour himself, or as in ane case, simply say he was on his way out only that the door was open and to by all means accept a look!

The front end door

He only learned of his wonderful generosity and friendly demeanor subsequently he took the job as tour guide in 2007 when the house was open up to the public for the first fourth dimension since information technology's completion in 1949.

The seating area: This furniture was designed past his contemporary and good friend Mies van der Rohe and made by the Knoll Factory.

He said he practical for the chore right from a newspaper advertizement. When he read the ad he said, "I could exercise that!' and and then he trained as a guide, learning all there was to know about the human and gave usa a splendid 2 one/2 hr tour with lots of facts flavored with only equally many delightful tidbits of personal information.

Unlike angle, Unlike light

Like what he said when asked why there were no windows in the front of the guest house (known equally The Brick House – run across it a few pictures higher up) he built at the same time that lies at an angle facing the front of The Glass House. He said that he designed information technology with no windows considering he did not want to know what was going on in the firm simply the aforementioned as he did not want his guests to know what was going on in his. This is why all of the windows on the Brick House face the dorsum and are on the roof!

The sense of infinite (the painting in the background is past 17th century creative person Nicolas Poussin titled, "Burial of Phocion"

Philip Johnson built this house on a site where he could appreciate the view of the outside from any side. He built it for his nearly important client, for himself, and, he either lived there full-fourth dimension or on the weekends until his death in 2005. He died in The Glass Firm with his glass walls reflecting the familiar trees, rocks and meadows on the other side.

Calder taking a walk from the Bedroom and on through the Living Room

And the trees were as well not completely left to nature. He was an obsessive landscape architect too. He said that "all landscape architecture is hopeful compages" and he worked compulsively on improving his view.

The Bedroom

He cleared parts of the wood to let for meadow space and ferns to abound. He wanted "dappled-shade" and I'k guessing that this was probably the most beautiful lite in the world to him, light which reflected, danced and shimmered.

Where Philip Johnson sat and worked (although I'm pretty certain that was distracting!)

He had trees pruned so your center could make paths through them as y'all looked from sure points, and he only kept grass tightly mown in specific spots. He let the grass grow high maxim that if a building is interesting enough the grass shouldn't stop one from getting to it; you've got to love that kind of stubbornness!

A view of the desk

I oasis't even mentioned being in the Glass House all the same and I cannot do that until I tell you that getting to the front door was not just a simple matter of walking directly upwardly a path and in that location information technology was right in forepart of you lot.

A non-so-Crappy Kitchen!

Philip Johnson believed that yous should never arroyo a building from a direct line, only rather from an bending. And then to get to the door you had to navigate the round physical sculpture by Donald Judd (a few pictures above) and then the path went off to an angle before joining a path that let to the front door.

The backyard

I had to terminate myself from running across the grass and meander the path I was meant to take. It certainly did serve to build up my apprehension and excitement.

The view from the backyard! (The Lake pavilion was built in 1962 and plays with perspective with the design making it seem further than it really is)

No amount of looking at pictures of The Glass Business firm can prepare y'all for what it is actually like existence inside The Glass House. It was ane of those moments where you are waiting to run across how you lot experience and if it lives upwards to your expectations of whatever motion picture you lot have painted in your mind. Information technology was so different from what I idea it would feel similar.

A giant tree close to the house

Information technology immediately felt similar home, like when y'all are away from your firm on holidays somewhere and when you open the back door,  y'all can finally breath and you cannot look to sleep in your own bed. I thought information technology would have this aura of thrift, something unapproachable, common cold even. It was quite the opposite emotion.

A view from the Glass House and the pool from the path to the Painting and Sculpture Galleries

I could see myself happily unloading the groceries for dinner or lounging with some friends on the sofa or rug. It felt happy and warm, and the thought of being out in the open in a vulnerable mode disappeared. The acres of dark-green color outside felt more like a curtain bellowing around the walls.

The underground Painting Gallery (inspired past a Grecian Tomb from 1250 BC)

Nosotros all got a chance to explore the house in bang-up item and at a leisurely stride. My kids were truly in awe and Dave looked like he had died and gone to sky. I would safely say afterwards seeing how we all felt that this tour was a very good idea.

Frank Stella painting (and Dave deciding if he could warm a trivial more to this painter in this spectacular setting)

Upon leaving the business firm nosotros walked to some of the other buildings that Johnson has been continually building since moving in. He congenital an amazing Painting Gallery to house his ever-changing hanging art collection.

Approaching the sculpture Gallery

The Painting Gallery was built in 1965 and is a masonry and earth bern with 3,778 square anxiety shaped in iii circular rooms where art could exist viewed. He liked to view 6 paintings at once and the walls rotated similar giant poster racks with ii paintings on each wall. The little stools from which to view the piece of work, and to sit effectually on were also round, reinforcing the round theme.

Inside the astonishing Sculpture Gallery

Ane of my favorite other buildings was the Sculpture Gallery. It was congenital in 1970 and this brick cavity wall construction is a massive three,650 square feet. The glass ceiling made of tubular steel was the most amazing roof I had e'er seen. Information technology inverse the entire room into this magical place filled with hundreds of lined shadows which plastered the walls and floor in every direction.

Another await at the magnificent calorie-free

Philip Johnson loved it so much himself that he fifty-fifty contemplated moving house, until he thought, "where will all the sculpture go!" I would have been sorely tempted myself but I have to say that the special warmth of The Drinking glass House would take kept me there.

Zooming past the George Washington Bridge on our way into Manhattan

We were all very sad when our visit concluded just I anticipate I will be back over again to learn and see more. I'm sure at that place is so much I missed (like when you watch a movie over and over and discover then many niggling details that tie everything together).

Ma Peche for Lunch

Our next finish was a quick drive to Manhattan for lunch and to pick up my friend Bird and bring her dorsum to our piddling house for the residuum of my altogether. I also wanted to get dwelling and exist in a place where I felt comfortable and happy. Also, I had a birthday cake waiting, (which of course I made the 24-hour interval before).

I got presents!

We tried to tell Bird nearly where we had been and what it was like just it was truly impossible to emphasize how fantastic the whole place was and that the Glass Firm did not feel small and weird, only airy and live. She will just have to see for herself.

My Lawn

It was a lovely mild evening and we sabbatum outside while I barbecued chicken and we indulged in cold beers with lemons; just perfect.

We had Cold Raspberry Tart for dessert (which I volition postal service the recipe for of course!)

The quick common cold tart I whipped up the day earlier was absolutely the best birthday block a daughter could ask for and the whole mean solar day will exist remembered as one of my virtually worthwhile moments.

It was indeed a near magnificent birthday

"Maybe what makes me tick is unique. I don't mind, but it may be of interest to know how different my tick is from yours and yours"

From a lecture given past Johnson at Columbia University in 1975.

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